Receiver Marques Colston has been a key cog in a Saints offense that racked up more than 8,800 yards passing the last two years.

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NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees knows he has got it good right now.

It's not simply the luxury of throwing to a Marques Colston-led receiving corps that has helped him rack up more than 8,800 yards passing during the past two seasons.

Reggie Bush has recovered from a knee injury that caused him to miss the last four games of 2007. Deuce McAllister's comeback from a second knee reconstruction in three seasons got off to a promising start in the preseason.

Now add four-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey, along with much improved second-year wide receiver Robert Meachem, and the New Orleans Saints have the ingredients to be an offensive juggernaut.

"Realistically, we have an opportunity right here because we have the pieces of the puzzle in place," Brees said. "There are those windows of opportunity for every team and this is a window of opportunity for the New Orleans Saints."

At least on one side of the ball.

Questions remain on defense, an area the Saints sought to address in the off-season after giving up a slew of big plays during a 2007 campaign that ended at 7-9 and short of the playoffs.

The Saints' defense ranked 26th last season in yards allowed per game (348.1), 30th against the pass (245.2) and 13th against the run (102.9).

"Guys understand that on our side of the ball, we have to hold up our end of the bargain," said linebacker Scott Fujita, a defensive captain last season. "Everyone knows that. It's obvious. I mean, if we had been able to do that the last two seasons, who knows how far we would have gone. Our offense is doing their part. We need to do ours."

To that end, New Orleans has added new personnel to the defensive line, linebacker corps and defensive backfield.

The Saints traded a draft pick for veteran linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a former Pro Bowl selection with the Jets. Then they acquired former Jaguars defensive end Bobby McCray, former Patriots cornerback Randall Gay and former Jacksonville cornerback Aaron Glenn in free agency.

New Orleans' top pick in the draft, seventh overall, was USC standout defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who has looked strong throughout training camp and is expected to start.

The Saints' second pick was Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, who has spent some time practicing with the first team during training camp.

Coaches also hope to see improvement from 2007 draft picks, such as cornerback Usama Young and linebacker Marvin Mitchell.

Coach Sean Payton, now in his third season, has declined to single out players or position groups that might have been most responsible for the defensive woes last season.

"It would be hard to just point to one specific thing," he said. "When we spent time in the off-season studying things that we could improve on, we gave up a large number of big plays where you might be playing the proper technique and the proper defense, but on one given play, you give up a 40-yard chunk. There are a number of areas that we would like to see improvement in."

Still, the Saints want to see improvement from specific players. Cornerback Jason David was the Saints' highest-profile acquisition during free agency before the 2007 season. But while David played well in a zone coverage scheme for the 2006 Super Bowl champion Colts, he was beaten on numerous big plays last season in the Saints' man-to-man scheme.

While coaches say he's looked better in training camp, he was beaten on a 26-yard touchdown and three other first-down passes during the Saints' 31-27 preseason loss to Houston. The Superdome crowd noticed — and booed.