As a Saints fan, it’s not uncommon to shutter at (if not mock) the notion that “This is the year.” But resisting the urge at this point is about as easy as getting Vince Young to keep his shirt on at the club.

It ain’t happenin’!

Marques Colston just signed a new 3-year deal with the Saints. Tight End Jeremy Shockey just inked a deal to ditch the Big Apple for the Big Easy. And on defense, well the defense couldn’t get any worse, now could it? But the Saints’ front office made some smart moves that leave me more than convinced we won’t be handing over 30+ points a game this time around.

Let’s review this offseason for a moment.
On defense, we picked up a seasoned linebacker in Jonathan Vilma. He’s a former Pro-Bowler who’s anxious to prove he’s still got what it takes to shore up a 4-3 defensive scheme, unlike the 3-4 set used in New York. Vilma could be just what we need to put pressure on the quarterback and take pressure off our vulnerable secondary.

What about the other defensive aquisitions: Cornerbacks Randall Gay & Tracy Porter, Rookie Defensive End Sedrick Ellis and former Jaguar Bobby McCray? Sure we’ll need to see how things go down at camp to really get a sense of which of these picks will sink and which will soar. But you’ve gotta be feelin’ good at the notion that the front office took our defensive weaknesses seriously.

Oh yeah Saints fans, Nola Chick is fired up and feelin’ good! My only concern at this point: how long will it take for Porter and Ellis to sign their contracts? Will they miss most of camp and perhaps even preseason? Mickey Loomis seems to think so.

“There’s been very little progress. It’s frustrating. I have to be honest with you, I feel like it’s about the agents of these guys not wanting to look bad as opposed to any concern for getting the player in here, getting him acclimated and getting him going in the right way in their first year in the league.”

Damn agents! Do they not remember the Jamarcus Russell debacle?

Other looming questions, will Deuce be healthy? Fans will get to check him out in limited practice today at training camp. As for Mike McKenzie and Josh Bullocks, it’s still wait and see. According to nola.com, both players are listed on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform).

Still, I’m keeping my cup half full. After all, what good is it being a Saints fan without a little blind optimism?