Overtime

The transformation of the New Orleans Saints is complete.

The Saints have come full circle, from a team that depended on big passing numbers from their Hall of Fame quarterback, to a complete team.

It is a team with an outstanding kicking game, a defense that is one of the more improved in football, and a running game that features both Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray running behind a young, but still experienced offensive line.

With a win at Atlanta Dec. 6, and a sweep of the season series with the Falcons without Drew Brees at quarterback, the Saints won their first eight games over the past two seasons without Brees in the lineup.

In 2014 through 2016, the Saints won seven games each season, with a pass happy offense.

In 2016, Brees threw for 5,208 yards.

One year later, he threw for 4,334. And, a year later, Brees’ numbers went down again, to 3,992 passing yards.

In 2019, Drew Brees did not have a 400 yard passing game.

His last 400 yard passing game was when he threw for 439 yards in a 48-40 loss to Tampa Bay to open the 2018 season.

Meantime, the Saints have retooled their offense with a series of outstanding personnel decisions.

The Saints traded up to draft running back Alvin Kamara and center Erik McCoy.

New Orleans traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and turned the pick acquired, No. 32 in the first round of 2017 into offensive tackle Ryan Ramcyzk.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has missed six games this season, is still the fastest player in NFL history to 500 catches, achieving the feat in his 69th NFL game.

Thomas was the 47th selection in the 2016 draft.

The Saints have used a first round pick or their first pick in a draft to choose an offensive lineman in four of the last six years.

Ramcyzk, McCoy, and guards Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz have helped completely change the Saints identity.

The Saints are second in the NFL in time of possession at over 32 minutes a game.

On the road, that number grows to almost 34 minutes a game.

And, because of the Saints ability to run the football, and master the short passing game, the defense has had fewer possessions to defend.

As good as those numbers are, and that New Orleans had won 10 of its first 12 games, still leaves questions unanswered.

Does this football play in the playoffs?

Can the Saints win another Super Bowl with Drew Brees?

And, can the winning continue long after Brees retires?