The Saints begin defense of their first-ever title as similar favorites at -4.5 on the current NFL odds line with the total set at 48. They will do so though without starting free safety Darren Sharper, who tied for the league lead with nine interceptions last season, including three that were returned for touchdowns. Sharper is a former teammate of Favre’s from their days with the Green Bay Packers and played a vital role in turning around the New Orleans defense under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Instead of facing Favre again on opening night in the NFL, Sharper will begin the year on the physically-unable-to-perform list following micro-fracture knee surgery in the offseason.
Sharper is not the only key member of the Saints defense who will miss the regular-season opener against the Vikings, as starting weak-side linebacker Jonathan Casillas suffered a foot injury in the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans and defensive end Bobby McCray was cut last Saturday. McCray is best known for his illegal hits on Favre that cost him $20,000.
Favre is coming off a rocky preseason following offseason ankle surgery and could be vulnerable against the New Orleans pass rush again in this rematch. He will be without his top receiver Sidney Rice, who recently underwent hip surgery to help fix an injury he suffered against the Saints. Minnesota also will not have star cornerback Cedric Griffin due to a torn ACL he is rehabbing while starting center John Sullivan is still recovering from a calf injury. The offensive line remains a major concern for the Vikings, who must be able to protect their aging quarterback.
Many experts blame Minnesota’s five turnovers (two interceptions were thrown by Favre and the team also had six total fumbles, including two coughed up by star running back Adrian Peterson) for the loss in the NFC Championship because the Saints were dominated in most statistical categories. New Orleans certainly seemed to have destiny in its favor, using takeaways to not only beat the Vikings but also topple the favored Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a lot to prove against both Favre and Indy’s Peyton Manning before going on to win Super Bowl MVP honors, and now he enters the 2010 campaign with a target on his back. Minnesota’s defense held Brees in check for the most part in the NFC Championship but did a much better job against the run, limiting New Orleans to only 68 yards on 23 carries. Expect a much different offensive gameplan for New Orleans here with Brees looking to attack a Vikings secondary that lacks depth and could be very prone to giving up big plays.
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