Saints-Dolphins Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Saints-Dolphins

SCOUTING REPORT

Saints-Dolphins: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Saints-Dolphins matchup. 1. New Orleans RB Reggie Bush might be an X-factor: Bush can keep a defensive coordinator up at night because of his versatility, but on tape he seems to be more of a matchup nightmare against teams that like to run the 3-4 defense. Miami outside linebackers Jason Taylor and Joey Porter are up-the-field pass rushers so look for the Saints get Bush matched up on them out in space.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
NOR	10-0	369	204	5-0	5-0	3-0	7-0
MIA	5-5	242	244	3-2	2-3	3-1	3-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

New Orleans Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Brees 68.1 2746 22 9

Miami Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Henne 58.3 1337 6 4 Pennin... 68.9 413 1 2

New Orleans Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Thomas 105 584 5.6 5 Bell 115 514 4.5 4

Miami Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 127 677 5.3 8 Brown 147 648 4.4 8

New Orleans Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Colsto... 44 687 15.6 6 Hender... 31 521 16.8 1

Miami Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bess 46 397 8.6 0 Camari... 28 281 10.0 0

Full Player Stats: New Orleans | Miami

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	NOR	421.0
	MIA	317.0
Yards Passing	NOR	266.2
	MIA	161.2
Yards Rushing	NOR	154.3
	MIA	156.0
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	NOR	330.6
	MIA	341.5
Pass Yds Allowed	NOR	214.9
	MIA	235.6
Rush Yds Allowed	NOR	115.7
	MIA	105.9

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Oct 30, 2005	NOR 6, @MIA 21

A defense that could keep the New Orleans Saints' high-powered offense from having to win games by itself has been consistently missing the past few seasons, but that seems to have finally changed for coach Sean Payton's club.

That improvement hasn't kept the offense from continuing to put on an impressive show.

Drew Brees and the league's top-ranked offense look to lead the Saints to their first 6-0 start since 1991 on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who nearly signed the NFL's top-rated passer three years ago.

Brees may have never even arrived in New Orleans had Miami been more aggressive in pursuing him after the 2005 season, when he had major reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder. The Saints and Dolphins -- then coached by Nick Saban -- showed the most interest, and Miami was said to be his preferred destination.

The amount of the contract offered by the Dolphins isn't known, but New Orleans came through with a six-year, $60 million deal. Miami, meanwhile, is on its seventh starting quarterback since then.

"All due respect to the Miami organization and coach Saban," Brees said Wednesday, "but I didn't feel like they believed in me and my ability to come back from that injury like the Saints did."

The Saints have had a top-five offense in each of their three season with Brees under center, but after having the 11th-ranked defense in 2006, they've had one of the league's 10 worst the past two seasons.

That didn't keep Brees from nearly setting the NFL single-season record for passing yards in 2008, but it did keep the Saints out of the playoffs for the second straight season.

New Orleans has shored up its defense under first-year coordinator Gregg Williams and free agent safety Darren Sharper, who leads the NFL with five interceptions -- two of which he's taken back for touchdowns. The Saints have forced a league-best 15 turnovers and are allowing 301.2 yards per game to rank ninth in the NFL.

"It makes us a lot better by going against our offense in practice," Sharper said. "It makes us both better because you have the top offense in the league going against one of the better defenses."

After New Orleans held both Buffalo and the New York Jets below 250 yards during weeks 3 and 4, it was the offense that stole the show again following the bye. Brees threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-27 win over the New York Giants and their top-rated defense last Sunday at the Superdome.

While Brees has helped pace the Saints' passing game, perhaps the biggest reason for their first 5-0 start since 1993 has been the rushing attack. Behind the trio of Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush, New Orleans is averaging 159.6 yards on the ground -- 60.0 more per game than last season.

With the rejuvenated defense and running game, no longer are the Saints being referred to as a "finesse" team.

"I think we have had that reputation for the last few years," said Brees, whose 118.4 passer rating is on pace to be the second-best in NFL history. "We're trying to get rid of that label because I don't think it applies."

Perhaps if Brees had ended up in Miami, the Dolphins (2-3) would have turned into a pass-first team. But right now they're doing just fine emphasizing their running game.

Miami got off to an 0-3 start but has won its past two behind an average of 200.5 yards on the ground behind its wildcat offense that gives direct snaps to Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

The Dolphins' 177.0 rushing yards per game lead the league, but against the Jets on Oct. 12 it was quarterback Chad Henne who helped make the difference. Miami ran for 151 yards, but Henne threw for 241 and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in leading a 31-27 comeback win.

Henne is 2-0 as the starter since taking over for the injured Chad Pennington, but as long as the wildcat is working -- the Dolphins are averaging 7.1 yards per play when Brown or Williams take the snap -- he's happy to share time.

"The wildcat is just a great tribute to our offense," Henne said. "You see how many yards we get out there when we run it."

The Dolphins rank third in rushing defense (76.4) and New Orleans is fifth (83.4), meaning whichever team can stop the other on the ground could walk away the winner -- something the Saints have never done in three visits to Miami.

Despite New Orleans' improved ground game, the Dolphins know the Saints' offense still hinges on Brees.

"The quarterback drives the offense," said linebacker Akin Ayodele, whose brother Remi is a defensive tackle for New Orleans. "And looking at Drew, everywhere he's been, he's pretty much done a great job in being efficient and taking control."

The Dolphins' chances to get to Brees could be much better if linebacker Joey Porter can return. Porter has missed two games with a hamstring injury but should be back.

Miami won the most recent meeting with New Orleans 21-6 on Oct. 30, 2005, at the Superdome. Brees lost all three games against the Dolphins while with San Diego.

Patriots have one last chance for signature win

Dolphins' Ferguson (quadriceps) out for season

Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson is out for the season with a quadriceps injury.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

Saints bring back McKenzie to bolster secondary

The Saints now are planning to sign former cornerback Mike McKenzie, according to a source close to the situation.

More clarity is the positive that should come from StarCaps case

From the beginning it has been an uphill battle for NFL players involved in the StarCaps case, a list that includes Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith and former Saints running back Deuce McAllister.

Saints continues amazing sell out run

Hurricane Katrina's devastation couldn't stem the tide of Saints fans ready to buy tickets when the NFL team returned in 2006 - and neither has the national recession.

StarCaps case likely a no-win for Grant, Smith

Though the StarCaps case has yet to be resolved, it appears Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are only delaying the inevitable, according to two leading authorities on sports law.

'Bring 'Em in'

At the conclusion of an organized team activity last week, Saints running back Pierre Thomas fired off a spirited message to management.

New Orleans Saints position series: Return specialists

We've come to the final spot in our position-by-position breakdown of the New Orleans Saints' roster, which is a little ironic since these guys probably should have kicked things off.

Message from Dolphins' Chad Pennington: I don't Twitter

Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting. BY JEFF DARLINGTON jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com In case you were wondering, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington didn't put down a 40-ounce Porterhouse, two baked potatoes, zucchini and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for dinner last Thursday night.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth learning from veterans

After a season of learning a complex new position on the fly while hampered with a torn groin, Matt Roth watched Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland beef up an already overflowing linebacking corps.

Ronnie Brown has something to prove with Miami Dolphins this season

Ronnie Brown is a quality NFL running back. But he might have to be more than that - maybe a lot more than that - if he wants to be the featured back in the Dolphins' offense beyond the 2009 season.

Miami Dolphins' Will Allen more than mentor to young cornerbacks

One of Tony Sparano's pet expressions is that he is more concerned about getting the "right 53 players'' on the team, not necessarily the best.

Jake Long's road with Miami Dolphins just beginning

Jake Long never looked overwhelmed in 2008, at least off the field. Not around barking coaches or testing veterans at training camp.