foreverfan

This board consistently makes these points, yet may still fail to realize...
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Reggie may be the greatest tweener to play in the backfield ever
But does anybody think that his body is designed to take the weekly pounding of a true running back for 16+ games? Is it the best use of his talent? Is he known for his blocking skills? Do you really want him blocking all the time for Brees? My answer is not really and only when we have to. Still, the jury is out on the kid. The Saints need to use Reggie as a new type of NFL player. Payton has created a unique position for him to gain 1800 all purpose yards. Payton knows how to design the offense that best uses his god given talents. Teams have to cover him in the flat with more than a LB. We use him running up the field in zones that are being cleared out. We use him as a Hot Read for Brees to get rid of the ball quickly to. We use him as a decoy to open up the running and passing game. We use him to create misdirection as teams over play him. Using him as a pure RB isn’t what god intended for Reggie Bush.

How many of you would bet your paycheck that Deuce returns as an effective NFL running back in 2008 or later?
My guess is not many of us. I don’t think Payton’s willing to bet the entire season on his (both) surgically repaired knees. Deuce certainly has a great heart, and if anybody can come back, he can. But heart alone may not be enough to win us the Superbowl. Still, who on this board thinks we should rush Deuce’s return? Assuming we keep Deuce, he may (and I stress may) be ready to play at close to 100% around game 8 if ever. Playing him too early is a huge risk because he may be totally ineffective or reinjure himself. Still, I expect him to only be a shell of the kid we saw at age 25 (he's 29 now) with two knee injuries. This may very well be his last year as a Saint.

Stecker isn't a true feature back, and he's getting up there (33 in November).
This kid has heart too, but he's at the age where injuries take longer to heal. If he loses a step this season, he's done as any type of starter or decent backup. Still, who doesn’t love the guy’s heart. Stecker isn’t the type of back that will get you deep into the playoffs. He’s a special teams player and a get it done emergency type of player.

This Leads Us to Pierre Thomas
Keeping Thomas will no doubt be the easiest decision Payton makes in 2008. The hard decision becomes on how much you can rely on him to be your starting running back. Assuming we don’t draft a true #1 RB in round one, he will be your starting running back in 2008. We all love the kid but the question remains, can he do it consistently on a weekly basis? Thomas has a great preseason and a great game against a Chicago defense that can be argued, really didn't come to play. Yet, we lost the game even with Thomas's great individual performance. So how does this warrant putting all your eggs in his basket?

I’m pretty sure it hard to disagree with my current assessment of our current RB situation.
This is why a few of us on the board realize that it makes so much since to draft a true #1 running back in 2008. Assuming we go deep in the playoff in 2008, we would be picking late in round 1 next year and may not get a great running back in 2009. Add to that the fact that you NEVER GET A #1 rated back in free agency, and my point becomes a little clearer.

Does anybody think that this doesn’t enter Payton’s mind entering the draft?
In the draft there will be LB, CB and DT in later rounds. No player on the team (except QB) touches the ball more or can have a greater impact than RB. Next year LB, CB and DL will be available in free agency, but rarely if ever will you find a true #1 RB. We all know what Duece’s running meant to the play of Reggie Bush and Drew Brees and it certainly kept them on the field by not having to ask them to do too much.

Payton will draft Mendenhall because he feels he has too.
Look folks, I too want a LB, CB or DT and it would certainly be hard to pass up Dorsey or Ellis in favor of another RB nor do I think we will or should. It makes us all want to puke (me included), but Payton knows offense. Will he be able to call the game he wants with Stecker in the game? Will we be able to get the RB in round 2 that Payton wants? Does Payton like having the best offense in the league? Does it validate his greatness as an offensive mind? What do you think. I certainly think that Payton wants a player that makes an IMPACT THIS YEAR and doesn't have to sit the bench.

2019 Death of a Parrot.

rebelsaint

AMEN. Great post, and right on the money. The only thing I would have to add is how do we get there, trade down, pick up a pick and still get a good RB late 1st, early 2nd? That would be the best scenario, and allow us to pick up another pick.

biloxi-indian

Good post. The truth of the matter is...if Duece was doing so well in rehab...then why delay the bonus he was due March 15th?

Fact is, another thirty days will give the Saints another point in time to determine if either Duece takes a pay cut, or be released. PUP is another option available. Neither of these options are one that I would want for Duece the warrior, but business is business!

IMHO...the Saints will take the BPA at a position of need at #10. I do not think the Saints will take a RB at #10...but you can bet if Duece is not a go...there will be one selected. My RB of choice...Forte in the 2nd if he is still there.

Under full disclosure...I am not a Green Wave homer! I went to Southern Miss and have been a LSU fan since 1958 National Champions (remember RG Ed McCreedy from Biloxi 6'1' 195lbs?)!

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over, over, and over again...and expecting a different outcome!

dwiley21

you can get a quality back in later rounds...example jones-drew and any denver back. The only way I see us going rb in round 1 is if McFadden slips to ten or they trade up a few spots to grab him (which I don't encourage). If rb is a priority for payton, trade down and get felix jones and more picks or grab mendenhall a few spots down.

hagan714

nice job

triman

Good read! I have been dreading the demise of Duece . However I would not be upset if we picked Mendenhall . Our offense had to rework itself after Duece's injury . All of the playbook went in the dumpster . Running back is the easiest position for a rookie to come in and make an impact, Matt Forte is going to be a good profootball player we would have to pick him in the 2nd rd . There will be good players at Rb available as late as the 4th rd in this RB deep draft . RB is a position of need IMHO, If the BPA is RB so be it.

BrooksMustGo

Great posting. One minor quibble. I figure Payton picks Mendenhall not because he feels he has to, but because he really wants to.

foreverfan

Finally you guys see what I've been saying for weeks. I'm not overly familar with the RBs available in the draft. Prehaps someone can do a short bio on what's available for us to choose from.

Remember, it doesn't make since to draft another backup RB. It only makes since to draft a true #1 back and this may be the year to do it!!!

foreverfan

In a perfect world this would make the most since.

MatthewT

This post is definitely right on the money. Not having a dominate running attack probably cost the Saints a playoff spot. Maybe Mendenhall is the next great thing, but if I was calling the shots I would have to go defense. Oh course, a lot will and can happen in a month from now. As it stands right now, I would be willing to take my chances with the guys on the roster. If Deuce is able to comeback then that's a big plus. If not, I am fine with giving Thomas a shot at being the main guy. I know Thomas put up his big game in a meaningless game, but at the same time he did earn his roster spot. I do think it's a huge risk trusting the backs already on the roster, but at the same time it may be a bigger risk not bringing in more defensive help.