sporting news reports
 

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FREE-AGENT BUZZ: The Saints have some room under the salary cap, and they should seriously consider making a splash by signing a marquee player on defense. They have some solid players throughout their defense, but what they need is a disruptive difference-maker. Cornerback is their biggest need position, especially because starter Mike McKenzie is recovering from a major knee injury. But New Orleans could plug in a dynamic defender anywhere and adjust accordingly. At least half of the biggest names on the market -- CBs Asante Samuel (Patriots), Marcus Trufant (Seahawks) and Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders), LBs Lance Briggs (Bears), Terrell Suggs (Ravens) and Karlos Dansby (Cardinals), and DT Albert Haynesworth (Titans) -- will probably be re-signed or protected with the franchise tag. But the Saints should get in on the bidding for those guys who hit the open market. Last year they didn't really pursue any of the high-priced defenders, opting to add complementary parts such as CB Jason David, LB Brian Simmons and S Kevin Kaesviharn. They were hoping the added depth and competition would improve the defense across the board, but it didn't work out that way.

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My dream off-season would be us landing Faneca, Briggs in free-agency, then drafting Kenny Phillips.

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LOL. Good one missle.

Welcome aboard Cancer Beater!

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Thanks.:mrgreen:

Check out this Mock Draft:WalterFootball.com: 2008 NFL Mock Draft

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I could live with that mock.

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yea, so could i, chevis jackson looked good monday night!!!!

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I like Kenny Phillips and all, but I just don't see us taking another safety nor do I believe he'd be the BPA at 10.

I also can't see Keith Rivers, Dan Connor, and Fred Davis all going in the second round.

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The last 3 Superbowl winners have Playmaking Safties.

Colts-------Bob Sanders
Pitt--------Troy P
Pats-------Rodney Harrison

We need Phillips.

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The last 3 Superbowl winners also had a very good group of linebackers, receivers, and defensive line.

So pointing out Sanders, Polamalu, and Harrison really does nothing for me in stating a case to take him with the 10th overall pick.

Take the BPA.

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Taking a safety at 10 does sound high, but that leaves the option of trading down to take him. And I don't think any of us would cry if that were to occur.

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I dont have a problem with taking phillips I just dont like the idea of doing it at #10, if we trade down im all for it. I think we'll be able to get a quality CB and LB with our 2nd and 3rd. Trading down and picking up phillips and an extra 2nd would be awesome. I think theres gonna be quality LBs and quality CBs available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. If we're looking at getting a starter at DT and/or S i think we'll have to do that with our first rounder. Id really like to see us trade down a few spots and pick up an extra 2nd.

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phillips would be great...we need more ppl from the U...their players are always NFL studs. and they play with more heart than the saints saw all season.

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I feel the same way.

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by that logic we dont wanna pass up jenkins, ohio state CBs have been very successful in the NFL

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well that'd be fine too...but he probably won't be around by 10, correct?

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who?
Jenkins or Phillips?:confused:

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phillips because it would suck to get Jenkins then have him seem to get burnt all season long because the safety is out of position

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If we draft a safety I want Steltz or the kid from BC.

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Play making safety can be had in the second and third rounds. There are some really good CB that are tall and are not afraid to hit. They maybe better suited at FS than CB. Couple of names

Terrell Thomas, USC, 6-1, 200, 4.46 (4.40/4.54)
Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin, 6-1, 202, 4.44 (4.28/4.56)
Dwight Lowery, San Jose State, 6-1, 182, 4.55 (4.47/4.63)
Darnell Terrell, Missouri, 6-2, 200, 4.43 (4.39/4.49)

It takes a little time to convert them but in the long run they will be good. More than one of these guys could be pro bowl type of safeties. All are playmakers.

So if the Saints do pick 2 CB in the draft early on look for one of them to begin work out at FS ASAP.

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In the meantime, what happens with Bullocks? Trade bait? Backup? I don't know his contract situation. Do we have much $$ tied up in him?

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Bullocks should still be on his rookie contract I think. And as a second rounder, he's not making much. Bullocks needs to stay and compete for a job. As long as he's not handed anything, he has too much talent to let go. Payton was more critical of Harper's play this season compared to Bullocks... take that for what it's worth. Loomis has also been quoted saying the really like Bullock a lot.

saints that could be trade bait
 

josh bullocks has done 3 out of the 4 years on his contract sucks but keeps getting praised. HMMMM..........

anyone else think that we'll try to trade him for something/anything maybe another draft pick

if we do look for us to draft Kenny Phillips

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I agree, but I'd like to make a small edit to that.

"Take the Best DEFENSIVE Player Available."

If the best defensive player available isn't worth a number 10 (which is hard to fathom), then work a trade down.

But whatever player is taken, it should be defensive. Drafting an offensive player, such as a receiver, would simply break my heart, even if he IS the best guy left on the board.

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I'd have to pick anything on the defensive line or linebacker first.

Applying good pressure on the QB can mask alot of mediocre/bad secondary play.

Our D-line didn't get the job done this season and was quite pathetic at putting pressure to say the least.

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Absolutely agreed. If we are going to play man up football, we need to put some pressure on the QB, especially with our front 4 and with the money we have tied up in our 2 DE's. Good D-lines will make LB's and Secondary look better. If we can get 1 player on the DL, LB, and Secondary in FA, I would be happy. I'd take about 3 in the secondary itself.