April 27, 2006.

What are the scariest eight words in professional football?.

The New Orleans Saints are on the clock.

This year will be no different as the lovable losers from South Louisiana have the most important pick in the annual marathon weekend that will test the mettle of even the most loyal of football fanatics.

The Saints hold the second pick, and after the Houston Texans take Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush with the first pick, it leaves the Saints with the selection that will set the table for the rest of the draft.

As one loyal Saints supporter told me, &#8220There are two certainties in life: Death and the Saints screwing up the draft.”

Then again, this could be different. A new coach, a new attitude and the collective love of the rest of the country in the wake of Hurricane Katrina could make this draft pick the most important in Saints history.

The vogue choice would be to take one of the two highly regarded quarterbacks in Southern Cal’s Matt Leinart or Texas’ Vince Young.

Both have astronomical potential, but after the Saints signed free-agent quarterback Drew Brees to a long-term deal, does anyone want to start a new season with an automatic quarterback controversy?.

They could go with an offensive lineman, like Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson, whose name alone is worthy of a high pick. Offensive linemen play one of the most vital positions on the field, rarely get recognized unless they are holding, but can form the backbone of a strong team.

New coach Sean Payton may opt for a defensive stud, like North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. Anyone 6-foot, 7-inches, 290 pounds that can move like him is an intriguing selection. Williams has been called a cross between Carolina’s Julius Peppers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. That alone would strike fear in any offense, plus it lays the groundwork for a stout defense. Any coach on the planet will say defense wins championships.

So the Saints have a lot of options when Saturday morning comes around.

NFL Draft day has turned into almost a Super Bowl-like event. Analysts by the hundreds will break down every player, every player’s family and what car they drive. With 15 minutes of dead air time between picks, it’s no wonder so much scrutiny exists.

Yet many people will tune in for the annual crapshoot. Luckily, Saints fans won’t have to wait long to hear who their next franchise savior will be.

Earlier this year, on a tip from a longtime Saints fan, I wrote that New Orleans would draft troubled Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick. Recent news, though, has swayed my opinion.

When Saturday comes along, this is what you will hear: &#8220With the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints trade their pick to the Miami Dolphins for running back Ricky Williams.”

Just kidding.

These are the new Saints, with a new coach and a new attitude. Soon, they will add the newest in a long line of players that will turn around the franchise.

Is it possible to draft a new owner?