Scary Saints?

Does the New Orleans Saints offense rank as the league's best with the addition of Jeremy Shockey to the lineup?

That's what league observers are wondering after watching the Saints acquire the four-time Pro Bowler from the New York Giants via trade earlier this week.

"This is a great move by them," said an NFC personnel director. "Adding a top notch tight end to a lineup that features Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Drew Brees and Deuce McAllister makes an already potent offense very scary."

Although Shockey's brazen attitude drew the ire of former teammates and coaches, few can dispute the fact he has been among the top players at his position since entering the league in 2002. "He may be a bit of headache in the locker room," said a NFC personnel director. "But there is no doubt he still one of the most talented tight ends in the league."

Shockey, who has 371 receptions and 27 touchdowns in his six-year career, gives the Saints a much-needed weapon at tight end. Last season, defensive coordinators used an assortment of two-deep coverages to diffuse the Saints' explosive offense and force Brees into a "dink-and-dunk" pass attack. As a result of seeing an increase in umbrella coverage, the Saints' number of explosive pass plays (passes over 20 yards) fell from 85 in 2006 to 55 a season ago. Thus, it was imperative for Sean Payton to find a playmaker that could punish defenses for vacating the middle of the field.

"They didn't have a threat down the middle of the field, so defenses were able to limit their big-play opportunities by using more two-deep coverage," said a NFC personnel director. "With Shockey running down the middle, Brees should have more chances to attack down the field."

The acquisition of Shockey also allows Payton to tap into his creative side to exploit the numerous mismatches created by the presence of a Pro Bowl tight end. As one of the few offenses with an explosive tight end and a talented, pass-catching running back, the Saints have the opportunity to match up their best offensive players against the defense's fourth and fifth best defenders when they open up the offenses with an assortment of spread formations. With all of the defense attention focused on stopping that formidable tandem, Colston, David Patten and Robert Meachum should see their yards per catch averages increase as Brees finds more opportunities to take shots down the field.

But the addition of Shockey should also impact a running game that averaged only 91.6 yards a game. Although McAllister's injury altered the Saints' running game, Shockey adds a solid blocker and gives Payton the opportunity to use more double tight end sets. Shockey is underrated as a blocker, but his ability to control the edge will allow Payton to call more perimeter-based runs to maximize Bush's skills.

"They may have the most complete offense in the NFC," said an NFC personnel director. "They have the ability to beat you a number of ways and Drew Brees is a patient enough to take what the defense gives him. If Deuce can give them something in the running game, they will be very difficult defend with all of the offensive firepower that they possess. "

The Saints' offense has finished ranked in the top five in total offense the past two seasons, but the new and improved version may emerge as the league's best in 2008.

Chargers' shrewd move

Earlier this week, the Chargers wisely signed defensive tackle Luis Castillo to a five-year, $43 million extension. Despite being plagued by ankle injuries the past two seasons, Castillo has flashed Pro Bowl-caliber talent during his three-year career.

"He is a perfect fit in their defense," said an NFC personnel director. "He possesses great size and strength. Plus, he has great quickness and an exceptional motor."

With 13 career sacks in 33 starts, Castillo is an ideal complement to pass rushers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips in the Chargers' 3-4. As Merriman and Phillips create pressure off the edges, Castillo dominates single blocks inside, and often provides the necessary push to disrupt the quarterback's rhythm in the pocket. Castillo also gives the Chargers another stout defender against the run, and teams with Jamal Williams and Igor Olshansky to anchor a formidable front line.

While the decision to sign Castillo to an extension with two years left on his existing deal can be considered slightly risky given his injury history (12 missed games in his three-year career), the benefit of doing the deal at this time allows the Chargers to lock up one of their core defenders at a reasonable salary while still leaving the team enough time and cap space to work out contracts with soon-to-be free agents Philip Rivers and Marcus McNeil.