NFL pre-camp previews: NFC South

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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Current Vegas Super Bowl Odds: 8-1
Training Camp: Saints Training Facility, Metairie, La., July 29
The Looming Question: “Who’s going to replace longtime defensive leader Scott Fujita at strong-side linebacker?”

The Saints enjoyed what had to have been the longest Super Bowl celebration party in NFL history this winter, and both the quarterback and head coach spent last week making the rounds promoting their respective books. At some point, it’ll be time to get back to football in New Orleans, and when it is, the strong-side linebacker position will be under the spotlight for the defending champs.

After four years as a starter, veteran leader Fujita signed with Cleveland as a free agent this offseason. Perhaps even more valuable as a mentor and teacher for the younger guys on the roster than as the man making key tackles, he'll no doubt be missed in Greg Williams’ defense.

Left in his wake is a slew of rather unknown young candidates for the starting gig. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, a three-year vet who went undrafted in 2007, filled in admirably for Fujita when he was out two games with an injury in ’08 and started three games in 2009. He finished the ’09 Super Bowl season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Is he capable of being a full-time NFL starter? Another option is Troy Evans, a nine-year veteran who's been primarily a special teams player over the years. Stanley Arnoux, Jonathan Casillas and rookie Sam Maxwell are long-shot possibilities for the strong-side LB spot, too. If jettisoned veteran Clint Ingram’s surgically repaired knee is OK, he could be the guy as well, I guess.

Whoever it is, he won’t be Fujita. That’s a loss both on the field and off it.
Key Camp Battle: Left tackle: Jermon Bushrod vs. Charles Brown

The left tackle spot is Bushrod’s coming into camp, but there’s lots of good buzz on Brown. Sure, Bushrod stepped up in Jammal Brown’s absence last season and protected Drew Brees’ blind side during the Super Bowl run. But big-time pass rushers like Dwight Freeney (on a bad ankle, no less) and DeMarcus Ware gave him fits. Brown's a solid backup who could very well be the long-term answer. If he dominates in training camp, the job could be his.
New Veteran in Town: Alex Brown, DE

Longtime vet Charles Grant didn’t play a role in the Saints’ postseason run to the Lombardi Trophy and was released after the season. Brown, made expendable after the Bears signed Julius Peppers, comes to town with a desire to prove he’s still the pass-rushing terror he was back in his rookie season in 2002. He’ll get every chance to do just that in Greg Williams’ attacking defense.
Young Gun to Watch: Jimmy Graham, TE

Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas are veteran tight ends who each played different roles in the Saints offense last season. Graham, a Miami guy like Shockey, is a 6-foot-8 former hoops star with unlimited potential. He could end up being another red-zone target for Drew Brees. Talk about being spoiled.