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5 Changes the New Orleans Saints Need To Make For the 2015 Season

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By @Kevin_Saito

5 Changes the New Orleans Saints Need To Make For the 2015 Season

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Like most teams who finished on the wrong side of .500, the New Orleans Saints find themselves looking for answers to a whole bunch of questions. They've been the beasts of the NFC South for so long, that they find themselves in an unusual position of trying to fix a lot of things that are broken. After a long run of success, the Saints are rebuilding on the fly and trying to figure it out as they go, and here are five things that need fixing.

5. Find A Pass Rush

Pass Rush
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

5. Find A Pass Rush

Pass Rush
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

As a unit, the Saints recorded just 34 sacks and gave up more than 6,000 yards to opposing offenses – just over 4,000 in passing yardage alone – which made them the 28th ranked defense. With 10 sacks, Junior Galette was their top pass rusher, but his arrest on domestic violence charges may complicate matters. Whether they have Galette or not though, New Orleans desperately needs pass rushers who can make life miserable on opposing QBs.

4. Get Help In Their WR Corps

Receivers
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

4. Get Help In Their WR Corps

Receivers
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints' offense was typically dynamic with Drew Brees throwing for nearly 5,000 yards and 33 scores. The trouble is, the Saints find themselves with some depth and reliability issues in their receiving corps. TE Jimmy Graham led the team in receptions (85) with their top receiver more than 20 catches behind. With veteran Marques Colston a possible salary cap victim, the Saints desperately need more pass catchers.

3. Figure Out Their Running Game

Running Game
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

3. Figure Out Their Running Game

Running Game
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram rushed for more than 900 yards in 2014, which is good. The trouble is that Ingram's rookie contract is up and he has yet to exercise his fifth year option. It's possible that Ingram could walk as a free agent, leaving the Saints in a jam with Khiry Robinson as their workhorse back – a role the Saints are not sure he can fill. If Ingram walks, the Saints are in a big world of hurt until they can find a decent replacement.

2. Bring In Secondary Help

Secondary
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bring In Secondary Help

Secondary
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints' secondary has been a mess for the last couple of seasons – ever since CB Jabari Greer's career ended due to injury. They've run through a cast of players, but have yet to find a reliable cornerback to pair with Keenan Lewis. This is something that must be addressed in the offseason, or the Saints run the risk of giving up thousands of more yards through the air.

1. Fix Whatever Schism Exists Among the Coaches

Coaches
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

1. Fix Whatever Schism Exists Among the Coaches

Coaches
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing can disrupt a team faster than internal discord. There is obviously a deep schism that exists between head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan -- it's deep enough to make it surprising that Ryan is coming back in 2015. This internal strife must be fixed, and fixed quickly, or the Saints run the risk of having a divided locker room as players begin to take sides – which will only lead to more losses.

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