New Orleans Saints: If…And…But for 2015

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

And

Quarterback Drew Brees can rebound from an “off year” and the New Orleans offense can adjust to a slew of key offseason departures.

First there’s Brees, who enters his 10th season with the Saints and 15th in the league. He comes off a season in which he tied for the NFL lead with 4,952 passing yards but he also committed 20 of the team’s 30 turnovers. One year after throwing for 39 scores and only a dozen interceptions, Brees served up six fewer touchdown passes (33) and was picked off five more times (17).

Now consider the changes to this offensive unit. Prolific tight end Jimmy Graham was traded to the Saints, left guard Ben Grubbs was dealt to the Chiefs, wide receiver Kenny Stills was sent to the Dolphins and versatile running back Pierre Thomas was released by the team.

The cupboard is not bare thanks to wideouts Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks and Nick Toon, as well as tight ends Ben Watson, Josh Hill and recent newcomer Alex Smith. And the team hopes that free-agent running back C.J. Spiller will be a nice compliment to Pro Bowler Mark Ingram. But this will be a different looking attack in the Crescent City.

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