When the vice president of race and sportsbook operations at the giant LVH Superbook in Las Vegas, Jay Kornegay, was asked about the chances for the New Orleans Saints in the coming NFL season and what effect the return of head coach Sean Payton would have on those chances he replied, “I think he’s worth a game and a half”.
What he is saying is that, in his opinion, the Saints will win at least one and a half games more just because of the presence of Sean Payton. Some folks might even say more… Saints fans would anyway. Sean is a popular fellow down in the ‘Big Easy’.
From a linemaking standpoint, Payton again makes a difference. Jay Rood, the VP of the race and sportsbook at the MGM Resorts International said, “He’s probably worth a point, a point and a half”. Meaning 1 to 1.5 points on the spread!
Payton so far has gone 67-37 with the Saints and expectations are high that he will be adding significantly to the plus column this year.
The Saints win total opened at 9 at the major Las Vegas sportsbooks with the Over at -120. After noticing more action going on the Over, LVH moved the Saints to -135. If the Saints do manage to get back on track and play up to their 2011-2011 form, that ‘Over 9’ will be one of the best bargains in sports.
Remember, the last time that Sean Payton was running the show, the Saints racked up 13 wins against only 3 losses and scored 547 points doing so. Seven of the 13 wins that year were by 14 points or more including a nice 45-16 home rout over arch rival Atlanta.
The big question for the upcoming season is the Saints defense. Last year the New Orleans D managed to give away more yards than any other team in the entire history of the NFL. It is surely a record that the Saints could do without and one that they have taken steps to overcome.
The hiring of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan could well give the Saints the guidance that they lacked last year. Major moves, like the addition of safety Kenny Vaccaro, have also been made.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently said about the return of Sean Payton, “I’ve never seen him as excited, as ready for a season as he is right now. You can feel the energy.”
