27-year old WR Courtney Roby has a outstanding year for the Saints in 2009 but not many people talked about him.  He often gave the Saints’ offense outstanding starting field position as the kickoff returner.  Roby played in 15 games for the Saints last season and he returned 42 kickoffs for 1,154 yards (27.5 avg) with 1 TD return.  He has now played in 46 games in his NFL career and he has returned 88 kickoffs for 2,222 yards (25.3 avg) with 1 TD return.  It seems as if Roby has found his niche in the NFL after somewhat failing as a WR.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SAINTS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  A

The LT on the Saints this season will be Jermon Bushrod.  He filled in pretty well for Jammal Brown when he got hurt last season.  With Brown now in Washington it will be up to Bushrod to block on Drew Brees’ blind side once again in 2010.  He does have problems with speed rushers though so he has some room to improve.  LG Carl Nicks is a powerful blocker especially in the running game where he can attack defenders.  Center Jonathan Goodwin is a solid but unspectacular center.  RG Jahari Evans is very nasty both in run and pass blocking as he has one of the best guards in the NFL.  RT Jonathan Stinchcomb played for the NFC in the Pro Bowl last season due to his nastiness blocking in the running game.  He has trouble with speed rushers but he can handle guys who try to play the power game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SAINTS O-LINE in 2010:  A

46-year old head coach Sean Payton is the perfect coach for the Saints.  He led them to a 13-3 (81.3%) regular season record and he then went 3-0 in the post-season to win the Super Bowl.  Payton sometimes lives on the edge as he called for an onside kick to start the second half of the Super Bowl.  The Saints recovered it and it changed the tone of the game in the Saints’ favor.  Payton has a 38-26 (59.4%) record in his four years as Saints’ head coach during the regular season and he’s 4-1 (80%) in the post season.  Sean Payton + Drew Brees is going to equal a lot of wins in the near future for the Saints.

24-year old kicker Garrett Hartley has a very strong leg and the Saints need him.  He missed a lot of last year due to a league suspension.  But if his head is on right he will be another weapon for the Saints on offense.  Hartley played in 5 games for the Saints last season and he made 9 of 11 field goals (81.8%).  He also made 10 of 11 extra points as he finished up with 37 points last year.  Hartley has now played in 13 games in two years for the Saints and he has made 22 of 24 field goals (91.7%) and 38 of 39 extra points good for 104 points. 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SAINTS KICKERS in 2010:  B

27-year old Marques Colston is Drew Brees’ go to man.  Colston played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Saints last season and he caught 70 passes for 1,074 yards (15.3 avg) with 9 TD grabs.  He has now played in 57 games (46 starts) in his four years with the Saints and he has caught 285 passes for 4,074 yards (14.3 avg) with 33 TD grabs.  Colston is a outstanding blend of speed and hands as he is one of the best kept secrets at WR in the NFL.

28-year old Devery Henderson is the speed merchant of the WR corps.  He played in 16 games (11 starts) for the Saints last season and he caught 51 passes for 804 yards (15.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Henderson also carried the ball 4 times for 13 yards (3.3 ypc) last season.  Henderson has now played in 76 games (43 starts) in his six years in the NFL and he has caught 157 passes for 3,094 yards (19.7 avg) with 16 TD grabs.  He also also carried the ball 13 times for 89 yards (6.8 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.  When Drew Brees is looking deep it’s usually Henderson that he’s chucking the ball to.

The Saints have brought 25-year old Robert Meachem along slowly and it started to pay off last year.  Meachem played in 16 games (7 starts) for the Saints last season and he caught 45 passes for 722 yards (16.0 avg) with 9 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 82 yards (13.7 ypc) last year.  Meachem has played in 30 games (10 starts) in his two years with the Saints and he has caught 57 passes for 1,011 yards (17.7 avg) with 12 TD grabs.  Meachem also carried the ball 7 times for 102 yards (14.6 ypc) with 1 TD grab in his career.  I would not be surprised at all if Meachem had a true breakout season in 2010 for the Saints.

26-year old Lance Moore was banged up a lot last season.  He played in 16 games (7 starts) in which he caught 14 passes for 153 yards (10.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Moore has now played in 43 games (10 starts) in his four years with the Saints and he has caught 126 passes for 1,393 yards (11.1 avg) with 14 TD grabs.  I look for Moore to be involved a lot more in the offense in 2010.

27-year old Courtney Roby did most of his work on special teams for the Saints last season.  He played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Saints last season and he caught 1 pass for 6 yards.  Roby has now played in 46 games (6 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 24 passes for 323 yards (13.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He has also carried the ball 3 times for 19 yards (6.3 ypc) in his career to date.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SAINTS WRs in 2010:  B+