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Keys to success:  upward as they await the Browns Following yet another opening day L to start the season both Cameron Jordan and Sean Payton gave their thoughts on what lead to a shoddy defensive performance.Now what if I told you those quotes were following the loss to the Vikings LAST YEAR in Week 1 and then pointed out how similar they were to this years assessment?Three years of data going back to 2016 suggest that the Saints defensive line is a notoriously slow starting unit that improves significantly from week 1 to week 2.In 2016 vs the Raiders they produced 0 scks http://www.saintsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-benjamin-watson-jersey , 4 def, and 3 QB hits.They followed that up with a 2 sck, 4 def, 2 QB hit performance. They doubled their sacks and Cam Jordan himself seemed to wake up from his slumber by chipping in with 8 tcks 2.5 for loss, 1 pdef, and a sack after only posting 1 solo tackle and a QB hit against OaklandIn 2017 vs the Vikings it was more of the same.They generated 1 scks, 2 pdef, and 2 QB hits only to come out the next week and double down on every category with 2 scks, 4 pdef, and 4 QB hits vs Tom Brady and the Patriots.Last Sunday vs Tampa Bay the defensive front posted a paltry stat line of 0 scks, 3 pdef, and 2 QB hits that fell right in line with their week 1 modus operandi.That brings us to the Browns and their QB Tyrod TaylorScott R. Galvin-USA TODAY SportsThe last time the Saints faced off against the Browns elusive quarterback(then with the Bills) they generated 2 sacks, 5 pass def, and 3 QB hits. Taylor delivered a performance that was so abysmal it got him benched in favor of rookie Nathan Peterman.Ironically enough after joining the Browns #5 is in a similar scenario but with a much higher profile rookie Cheap Drew Brees Jersey , Baker Mayfield, waiting in the wings.Meanwhile his Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley employs 5 step drops that are designed to attack downfield and Tyrod likes to hold onto the ball. When both factors of that relationship are working this can result in chunk yardage plays but when it’s not it gets your QB beat up. This was not more evident than in last weeks game vs the Steelers as Pittsburgh racked up 7 sacks, 10 pass def, and 11 QB hits of Taylor.While the New Orleans defensive line will find themselves hard pressed to duplicate such a dominant effort, Cleveland’s scheme and QB should give them ample enough chances to try.Now to jump into some burning questions the Saints need to answer heading into Week 2.Which new receiver steps up to claim a role?Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNew Orleans has three receivers on the 53 that weren’t there a year ago. Austin Carr, Tre’quan Smith, and Cam Meredith combined for 2 catches and 22 yards on 2 targets in Week 1. Against Tampa Ben Watson proved to be reliable in key situations (the seam route was beautiful) and Ted Ginn continued his potency in the deep threat role most recently occupied by Brandin Cooks.Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara can’t sustain last weeks production for 16 games so one of the aforementioned players needs to separate from the pack. I expect the picture to be a little clearer after the final whistle on Sunday.Where will the running game come from?Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsSean Payton said he “hated that the game got one dimensional”.Drew Brees ended up throwing 45 passes and while the offense put up 40 points it wasn’t because they were balanced.One could even assume that lack of balance lead indirectly to the defensive line seeing 50+ snaps last Sunday.New Orleans has yet to call Boston Scott up from the practice squad hinting that if Payton has a plan to remain balanced it’s going to happen because he trust either Mike Gillislee or Jonathan Williams to get the job done.After a paltry 3.4 yards per carry effort vs Tampa one can only assume the run game has been a point of emphasis this week.Who’s the man in the middle ?Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsI get that the Saints are rotating LB’s to figure out who does what best but your Mike LB is the last position that should be unclear in week 2.When asked about it following the game, none of the LB’s seemed to have a clue they’d be rotated the way they were during the game.All responded valiantly with some variation of “I do my job when my number is called” but it’s slightly concerning that the guy who will play next to Davis in over 60% of the snaps hasn’t been chosen yet.Random Thought – Cleveland’s O-line is mushy on the left side after the retirement of Joe Thomas. Marcus Davenport will see more than the 23 defensive snaps he saw against Tampa. Rookie gets the first sack of his NFL career.Though I’d like to have written a section about the secondary I’m going to take Marshon Lattimore’s word that “there’s nothing to panic about” just yet. The defensive line has more draft collateral thrown into it and is the engine that makes the entire train go. I need to see that unit tune things up before I can give an accurate assessment of the defensive backs. Sean Payton vs Gregg Williams is its own storyline but I think New Orleans overcomes their history vs Cleveland.Saints win 30-20Fleur-de-Links, June 22: Alvin Kamara joins Anthony Davis in ESPY Nominations Word on the StreetBreaking news on the New Orleans Saints and stories from around the NFC South.Alvin Kamara, Anthony Davis snag ESPY nominations | NOLA.comESPN awards program set for July 18 in Los Angeles.Sophomore surge? Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk could be even better in second season | theadvocate.comRyan Ramczyk was still a question mark at this point last year.Natrell Jamerson, Kamrin Moore's 'football IQ' helping Saints rookies navigate NFL learning curve | theadvocate.comNatrell Jamerson and Kamrin Moore have a lot in common.Finding offensive line depth remains one of key questions for Saints this offseason | theadvocate.comIf everything goes according to plan, the New Orleans Saints will open training camp at the end of July with all five members of one of the NFL's best offensive lines healthy and ready to go.Saints' Benjamin Watson, NFL players respond to Donald Trump's pardon request | NOLA.comSeveral players publish New York Times op-ed.Saints' Alvin Kamara ranks atop NFL.com fantasy football list | NOLA.comMichael Thomas also gets high rankings among Saints players.The New Orleans Saints Have to Close Out Games | Last Word on Pro FootballThe Saints were ranked 27th last year for points given up in the fourth quarter. Their last three losses were to Minnesota, Tampa Bay Cheap Marshon Lattimore Jersey , and Atlanta. In those four game the Saints gave up a combination of 40 points in the fourth quarter for the combined games.On average, that’s almost 14 points per game.Idaho native creating buzz as Saints’ possible next QB. ‘I’ve never seen anyone like him’ | Idaho StatesmanThe New Orleans Saints begin their mandatory minicamp June 12 with Taysom Hill battling to become the backup quarterback. The undrafted free agent from BYU and Idaho native is competing with Tom Savage and J.T. Barrett to back up Drew Brees.Making Sense Of Winston’s Potential Suspension | Pewter ReportAs a result of the recent report that Bucs Qb Winston is bracing for a suspension, we give you all the facts of how he might and might not miss games.LagniappeThe latest updates from far and wide around the NFL, and the greater world of sports.Sean McVay vs. Kyle Shanahan: The NFL’s Best New Coaching Rivalry | SI.comThe budding duel between the NFL’s most-admired offensive trend-setters will be compelling theater in 2018, and likely for years to comeFant Named 1st Team All-American by Athlon Sports | University of IowaUniversity of Iowa junior tight end Noah Fant was named to the Athlon Sports 2018 All-America team, it was announced Tuesday.Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Terrell Owens Isn't Brainwashing Julio Jones | Bleacher ReportTerrell Owensdenies rumors he's influencingJulio Jones ' holdout. The player who could make the Jaguars even more dangerous this year. How to create a monster World Cup team out ofNFLplayers...World Cup 2018: American immigrants share what it means to watch the tournament | SBNation.comAn exploration of identity among the United States’ immigrant community as the world prepared for 2018 World Cup in Russia.Chargers Ready to Claim Their Territory (and Fans) in Los Angeles | SI.comAhead of the franchise's second season in Los Angeles, the Chargers want to find their own niche in their new home. The product on the field is expected to be there, so will the fans follow?Trae Young Will Give Oklahoma a Draft ‘Triple Crown’ | WSJIf Trae Young goes as projected, Oklahoma will have a top-10 pick in the NBA, NFL (Baker Mayfield) and MLB (Kyler Murray) drafts this year.Brett Favre discusses relationship with Aaron Rodgers in radio interview | Acme Packing CompanyThe two legendary QBs are at peace with each other, and even spoke on the phone recently about the transition of getting older in the NFL.Fantasy Football Preview: Top NFC Minicamp Takeaways | DraftKings PlaybookThere is a lot of absurd, fluffy rhetoric that emerges during OTAs. Headlines like “XYZ player in the best shape of his life” and “Cowboys want to get Tavon Austin 15-20 touches” can be ignored. But there’s still value in following the news that comes out of these non-contact NFL practices.Titans' Brian Orakpo wears big baby costume on side of the highway | The TennesseanTitans linebacker Brian Orakpo spent a recent afternoon wearing a giant baby suit on the side of the highway after losing a bet.