PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 4

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

After decades of mediocrity, with only periodic, fleeting flashes of brilliance, the Saints find themselves in the rare position of the hunted.

The challenge will be to avoid complacency while building on a 10-6 record, which in a weak NFC was good enough for the No. 2 postseason seed.

But 10-6 could have easily been 6-10; the Saints won four games by seven points or less.  They'll need to win the close games try to get the top seed in order to make the road to the Super Bowl wind through Bourbon Street.

To make it happen, the offense needs to continue to improve -- and with tight end Eric Johnson and rookie receiver Robert Meachem, we think it will.

The defense is the weakness, especially in the secondary.  The end result could be some high-scoring games, but the Saints have the total package to win many more than they lose. 

Key departures:  WR Joe Horn, SS Omar Stoutmire.

Key arrivals:  CB Jason David, S Kevin Kaesviharn, K Olindo Mare, TE Eric Johnson.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  WR Robert Meachem.

Coach's current job security:  Three years.