One biggest questions for coach Shaun Payton during the off season was...how was he going to fix a defense that gave up big play after big play last season. With most of the damage being done thru the air, one would first think upgrading the CB position would be a good place to start. However if one would also look in the recent past, they'd see that the Giants won a Super Bowl based on how well it's defensive line played.

Enter Sedrick Ellis from Southern California. Arguably the best defensive lineman in the draft this off season. Ellis is not only big and strong but has some quick moves that will give offenses nightmares. He'll demand a double team which will free up the defensive ends to do what they are payed to do...and that's get to the QB. Will Smith and Charles Grant seen double teams consistantly last season because nobody feared the rest of the D-line. With Ellis teams will no longer have that luxury. Add in pass rushing specialist DE Bobby McCray and the Saints line is pretty solid for the most part. With McCRay the Saints will have the option of putting Grant at a DT position with Ellis which will put added pressure on offenses. We all know that a good pass rush can make just about any CB's look good.

In the second round of the draft the Saints did indeed look to add a player on defense with skills at the CB position. Tracy Porter from Indiana will be the kid trying to earn him a roster spot. Porter has very good instincts and a nose for the ball. Coach Payton has described him as a very smart and skilled player from just what he's seen at mini camp. Porter will have to work hard though with all the competition at that spot. The Saints brought in former LSU and New England Patriot CB Randall #### via free agency. I'm expecting him to start opposite Mike McKenzie come the regular season. Jason David may be relegated to the third CB and 2nd year man Usama Young is having the best camp of all these guys. No doubt Porter has his work cut out for him.

 The Saints haven't had a LB to compliment Scott Fujita in the two (going on three) years Payton has been here. So in a trade with the Jets, New Orleans took a gamble and aquired LB Jonathan Vilma. Vilma who was a first round pick of the Jets was the DROY in 2006. When coach Eric Mangini arrived he implimented the 3-4 defense coupled with injuries, Vilma just wasn't the same. Now however Vilma is healthy and back in a 4-3 defensive scheme he should return to form this season. He'll help anchor the Saints defense in the middle with his ability to cover RB's coming out the backfield.

 I may be very optomistic about this defense but make no mistake about it, they have lots to prove. After a stellar 2006 season the defense (even offense somewhat) looked like a shell of itself in 2007. With these additions though the Saints and it's wonderful fans should have a very exciting season. One that can't start soon enough.