Season Preview: New Orleans Saints 2010

Scott Fujita was a solid player for the Saints. He was a consistent tackler; an eight-year veteran and defensive captain; a smart pass defender. He was beloved throughout the New Orleans community and within the Saint locker room.

But you can excuse the Saints for cracking a smile when they think about losing Fujita. Because Drew Brees when they do, they inevitably think about how that's really all they lost. Oh sure, they said goodbye to running back Mike Bell, but he was third on the depth chart. They released defensive ends Charles Grant and Bobby McCray, but Grant was slowing down and sidelined during the playoff run, and McCray has been replaced by respectable longtime Bear Alex Brown. And sure, the Saints traded offensive tackle Jammal Brown. But they didn't need Brown; he missed last season with injury.

In short, every key contributor from the Super Bowl champion Saints is back in 2010. (Except for Fujita.) 100 out of 100 G.M.'s would gladly play that hand — an opportunity to defend a title with the entire championship roster save for one solid defensive role player.
New Orleans Saints

So how did Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis do it? He got lucky, for one. The N.F.L.'s uncapped Darren Sharper year turned would-be unrestricted free agents like safety Roman Harper, running back Pierre Thomas, tight end David Thomas, wide receiver Lance Moore and right guard Jahri Evans into restricted free agents, keeping them not only in a Saints uniform, but in a Saints uniform at a ridiculously low price.

While the Colts are a virtual lock for the postseason every year, this year included, the Titans, Jaguars, and Texans are all under immense pressure to reach the postseason. In fact, one could argue that these three teams are under more pressure than any other three teams in the entire league.

But, you can't spell team without "me," and all four of these teams have players who are under just as much pressure as their teams to perform in 2010.

Some of these players are under pressure to keep their jobs, and some of them are under pressure to earn a starting role.