Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

Doesn't the new CBA or lack thereof affect Brown's contract next season? IIRC, if a new CBA doesn't get implemented and we have an uncapped season, Brown would be an RFA. Otherwise he's a UFA.

If that's the case, we may be in a very advantageous position here. Give Brown a high tender and hope that someone bites. If they don't you have a probowl LT, if they do, you have a high draft pick.

Ultimately, I'm with papz on this one. Let's no crown Bushrod the second coming of Willie Roaf 5 games into the season.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

Good call, but I'd chalk that up to "first pro start jitters". I think he's gotten the feel of working with the first team now. I've been greatly surprised and equally impressed by Bushrod.

On a different note, I like Jamaal Brown, but as long as Bushrod continues playing well, the team could use this to their advantage next season. With Brown's injury concerns, they may be able to offer a lesser contract if they want to bring him back. If they decide that Bushrod is better suited for LT and don't bring him back, do as WhoDat205 stated on here and give him a high tender and hope someone bites. If they don't, then that is just more offensive line depth. With Stinchcomb just signing a contract extension before the season, I don't see him playing as a back up next year unless he is just completely outplayed. I could easily see Brown out of New Orleans next year.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

I opened a thread in preseason asking how comfortable we were with Bushrod protecting Drews blind side. It looks as though he has stepped up to the challenge. Whodat205 makes a good point about the CBA and how it will affect how we deal with Brown after this season. If Bushrod continues doing the job well then lets move Brown and draft another developmental lineman with the draft pick. I have been impressed so far but I am not ready to crown him either.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

Ok this Is my input. We need a center. If we can try out bushrod or brown on center or Someone on the starting o line whose quick and strong enough to play center then we are ice. Thats what we need to work on because it will save us on draft picks. Or like some one else stated trade him for draft picks. But idk if we could since it's his last year on his contract.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

I'm still trying to figure out why we really need a new center. Johnathan Goodwin is better than he is getting credit for. He may not be completely overpowering in run blocking, but he is pretty darn good in pass blocking. Also, let's not forget about the exchange on the snap. He and Drew have developed a good relationship there since Goodwin became the starter and snaps are pretty much flawless. It's one thing for we as fans to nitpick and see weaknesses, but I can almost guarantee you that the person who has the least problem with Goodwin is the person whose opinion matters the most....and that is Drew Brees.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

if you asked drew what he thinks of goodwin.....he wouldnt tell you he thinks we need a new center....but a good leader shouldnt criticize the other players

this year i have seen an improvement in goodwins blocking but that may be because my eyes are drawn to the tackles getting beat nearly every play......it may also have to do with the emergence of carl nicks combined with jahri evans

i would say center is still our biggest weakness on both sides of the ball.....but when we are winning its hard to point out flaws in our game at all

if we were going to get rid of brown i would recommend going after a top tackle prospect in the draft because even tho bushrod may have been impressive against the giants, i have not seen him play very well yet and im a tad worried about drews health as the season goes on

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

True canton.. We need a versatile player like Joe Thomas who can just about play any position. That would be awesome.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

I guess I'm just a stickler for the cliche' "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I have seen very little this season to think we need to add new starters at any offensive line position. Guard is a no-brainer, because I've been saying since Nicks was inserted as a starter that the Saints have possibly the best guard tandem in the NFL. I think the entire line is feeding off of their aggressiveness, as well, and making them step up their game. Bushrod, Stinchcomb, and Goodwin may very well be playing over their heads, but as long as they are doing their jobs well, then roll with what works.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

There were numerous articles last off season stating how solid of a right tackle Stinchcomb has been for us. With that being said, he may just be playing up to his abilities... after all he was a promising 2nd round pick coming out of college. He wouldn't have gave him that contract last off season if we didn't feel he was doing a good job protect Drew's right side.

As for Bushrod, I've always felt if he moved inside he would be a solid player for us... lucky enough, he's doing it on the outside in the absence of a very good LT in Brown. He's proving Mel Kiper right that he could possibly be a tremendous steal for us when we drafted him. So playing over his head for some that wasn't high on him in the first place can certainly be said... but like I said with Stinchcomb, maybe he's just playing up to his ability.

While we continue to give Nicks and Evans much of the credit for the success of our interior line, Goodwin has been a force with us this year and the tail end of last year when holes up the middle were increasing. He may never be that special talent, but he's doing a great job making the calls on the line (I'm assuming as the center usually does that) and we done a fantastic job pass and run blocking this year. It a cohesive unit out there... they all deserve a lot of credit.

Re: Bushrod making a name for himself
 

Bushrod ... the best name in football! Enough said.