Fantasy New Orleans Saints

Hear that? It's the pitter-patter of fantasy football season approaching. Fantasy FanHouse is here to get you ready by previewing every team from a fantasy perspective.

Meet the ...
The Shootouts (it sounds nicer than the "Aints"). Not that New Orleans can't be good -- they can. And they're a nice unit for fantasy football teams, because, in theory, they have a ton of offense. But theorizing is fine until you end up burning through three top 50 picks, which is what Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush will cost you.

The Breakout
Perhaps I'm being old fashioned, but Deuce McAllister seems to me like the best possible "breakout" option on this team. Sure, he's gone through more ACL's than Alonzo Mourning has kidneys, but the Saints can't function without a strong between the tackles runner. Oh, and he "don't cost nuthin'!" Which, to me, is the ideal scenario for finding a breakout -- cheap, easy and late.

The Bust
I thought that people had stopped sweating Bush, but judging from his ADP (30), I guess not. Seriously, he's going 30th. (30!!!) It just goes to show how much potential, upside, etc can drive someone's fantasy value. Anywho, I wouldn't draft Reginald with your pick, personally. What justifies taking him? The 3.7 YPC last year or the 3.6 the year before? Granted, the 80+ catches per year are nice, and he's a nice RB2 in PPR leagues but let someone else fall prey.

Reggie Bush has torn his PCL and will likely not start this Monday against the Falcons. In fact, there's a significant chance that he won't play again the rest of the season. From a "real" football perspective, you have to hope he gets better and you also have to wonder about the timing of this whole thing, given things and stuff that may or may not be surrounding his time at Southern Cal.

From a fantasy perspective, you should be relieved. (Look, it's a business. You want the babes, fame and cash that come with it, you gotta be cutthroat.) What has this guy done for you since you made him your early first/late second round pick this season? Because if six total touchdowns, eight fumbles, a 3.7 yard per carry total and under 1,000 yards from scrimmage sound like fun to you, well, invite me to join your Suckball league next year, will ya? And he's too explosive and potential-riddled to find the bench or be droppable, so you were staring down a nightmare of having to start him in the playoffs.

Bush has been a total and complete bust in 2008 after breaking out during the second half of last season, and while some of it might be attributed to Sean Payton checking down his passing attack, there's a large portion of me that wants to keep pointing out how smart the Texans were for taking Mario Williams. But that's not really relevant to this discussion.

You have two to four weeks left - if Bush is the only wiggle room you've got on your roster, drop him. Grab Aaron Stecker, especially if you have playoffs in week 17 as the Saints get the Bears. Otherwise, wait until Bush's meeting with Dr. James Andrews before cutting him loose. Oh yeah, and pat yourself on the back if you're anywhere near the playoffs after drafting this guy.

Previously on Fanhouse: Reggie Bush's Disappointing Season Over?
Reggie Bush Speaks ... And So Do Some of His Teammates

The love is pouring in for Saints' new receiver Marques Colston. After making four catches for 49 yards -- three of which were third down conversions, the other a touchdown -- in his NFL debut, people are starting to catch on to what I've been saying in this very space for weeks. Marques Colston is going to be good.

So good, in fact, that the Saints felt comfortable dealing away Donte Stallworth to elevate him on the depth chart. Although Colston didn't have 141 yards like Stallworth did in his Eagles debut, he proved a reliable target and moved the chains on third downs. I mentioned, in the keys to the game, that getting the ball across the yellow line was his main responsibility, not going for the big play. And he did it. And yes, I do like patting myself on the back.

The AP calls Colston "the steal of the draft."

The Sporting News nicknames him "The Hawkman," stating that, "To stay in the DC Comics universe, Colston is Hawkman -- a tall dude who few people know much about and who goes up high to foil opponents. For Colston, that means he's able to spread his wings and outreach cornerbacks in the red zone, and he got the ball there in Week 1 (12-yard TD) because Drew Brees is already so comfortable with him."

Fox Sports calls him a "hidden gem," advising fantasy owners that, "Reggie Bush and Drew Brees got all the buzz in New Orleans, but a seventh-round pick needs to be on the radar for fantasy owners after this weekend. Marques Colston out of Hofstra caught four balls for 49 yards and a touchdown. All four of his receptions went for first downs, so it appears that Brees has found a clutch performer."

The best part? In most leagues, Colston (for whatever reason) is listed as a tight end. Consider this an insider tip -- I like to avoid Saints on my fantasy team, like separating church and state. But while I'm enjoying a productive offense led by the fourth-from-last pick in the NFL Draft, a rare Saints gamble that appears to have paid in spades, I'll share the wealth for those willing to gamble as well.