nothing in the last article really contradicts anything said above... watson is the provisional starter at MLB, & bockwoldt at WLB.
the wildcard is fincher... if as good as advertised, he will push watson to WLB, not to the bench... they can do that, even though they are high on watson, because in that scenario he still is a starter (and some scouts think he is better suited to WLB anyway).
i think watson or fincher will be the MLB... however that plays out, bockwoldt or watson should be the WLB.
the saints started playing better defense late in the season, about the same time they went on a win streak & saved haslett's job... in first 12 weeks, they didn't allow LESS than 20 (& gave up 30+ four times & 40+ once)... in the last four weeks, they didn't allow MORE than 18. they bounced the panthers from playoffs in last week of the season.
this also coincides with better CB play... mckenzie began season as disgruntled GB holdout & had to work his way into game shape during the season.
why they could be better this season?
darren howard is healthy... will smith is in his second year...
fincher could be upgrade over watson & watson over bockwoldt...
they have mckenzie for whole season (assuming he doesn't hold out... i don't think he ever got long term contract he was looking for that prompted packers holdout in first place)...
dwight smith should be a huge upgrade over tebucky jones... he could be an impact player that makes others better.
also, saints offense put tremendous pressure on defense by not scoring TD in first quarter until very late in season... coaching staff (new OC?) has simplified the playbook to make things easier for guys like brooks & stallworth... deuce is supposedly in better shape this season, too.
the saints problem is they are in brutally competitive division... ATL obviously the favorite, CAR could be much improved after being decimated by injuries early & getting off to 1-7 start, & TB could be better.
whether they win nfc south probably won't affect LB stats, of course.