Free Agent Corners
 

I'm not sold on Woodson. I actually really hope we do not make a strong push for him.

So, I'm looking for alternatives. Here is the fruit of my weak, boredom-induced research.

Jerametrius Butler, Rams (RFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/235032
I think we could get him for a fifth round pick.

Jason Webster, Niners (UFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187676
He was injured this season. Check out his '02 numbers.

Antoine Winfield, Bills (UFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133453
Little guy, but great numbers. The Bills don't have a lot of free agents this year, so they'll probably keep him

Tom Knight, Ravens (UFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/3795
No spring chicken, but check out his numbers in 99 and 00 in Arizona as a full-time starter. We may be able to get him cheap, especially if the Ravens make a strong push for McAlister.

Nick Harper, Colts (RFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/223763
I'm not sure what round pick we'd have to give up, but I do know that the Colts are going to be in a very bad cap position this offseason with the resigning of Manning.

Fernando Bryant, Jags (UFA)
Stats http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133238
One of my favorites. I think his best football is ahead of him.

Which of these guys sound good to ya'll? I would be happy to see one or two of these players on the roster come August.

Of course, I am purposely omitting big name corners like Bailey and McAlister. We all know who they are and what they can do.

Just say no to Woodson!


[Edited on 18/1/2004 by whowatches]

Free Agent Corners
 

I don\'t think that the Saints will make a play for Woodson. It just seems doubtful to me. When have they ever made a move for the premier player at any position. Still, I do think Woodson is worth it. To me, he is the elite guy at that position in the league right now. But honestly, I\'m in favor of any guy that they pick up in free agency rather than draft. There\'s too much talk about the damn draft right now. Why? The Saints aren\'t a few rookies away from the Super Bowl. They\'re a few good free agent acquisitions at key spots away - focus your attention there people. I said this last year too and everyone kept telling me about all the great players we\'d get in the draft. Yeah - that worked out real well huh?

Free Agent Corners
 

You\'re dead on about the draft, Whodat. I would like for us to finally address the leadership issue on the defensive side of the ball. I\'d like for the D to develop a personality as well. A strong FA pickup could do both, especially at the MLB position. That\'s why I think we should go all out for Wilson (Hartwell of the Ravens is also a possibility).

Of these corners, I like Harper and Bryant. I was watching Harper pretty closely during the game yesterday. He almost had a huge pick toward the end of the first half. We should have a chance for him even though he\'s restricted. I read an article somewhere the other day about Indy\'s horrid cap situation. They may not be able to match our offer.

.02

Free Agent Corners
 

bump

This thread has nothing to do with the quarterback position or with personel current\'y working for organizations represented by a feline.

Any takers?

I would like for us to address the cornerback position in free agency so that we can focus on linebacker and defensive tackle in the draft.

Thoughts?

Free Agent Corners
 

I love Bryant. He has several solid years ahead of him. He reminds me of Fred Thomas, only a lot younger.

A guy like Bryant along side Thomas would allow us to draft a guy like DeAngelo Hall and have him develop instead of being thrown into the fire immediately.

I think this staff is sold on Hodge and Cie Grant, but I also think if a Dansby or Vilma was available they\'d jump on it.

I wouldn\'t mind seeing them sign Bryant, Draft a DJ Williams with our 1st, and the best DT/CB combo available with 2A and 2B.

I found it encouraging that in Haz\'s interview with Gerry V that he said Grant was also a viable option at weakside LB. It appears Haz may be more flexible than I thought. I think that statement had the \"Vilma plan\" wriiten all over it.

Free Agent Corners
 

Danno, you\'re a Bama guy, right? I have fond memories (sarcasm) of Bryant terrorizing my Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

I read that interview with Haslet, too. I would prefer to have a MLB that did not have to learn the position (is that bad?), so I\'m happy to hear that Grant is flexible. Vilma would be an awesome addition. I\'d also like to see Rod Davis in a Saints uniform, but I am biased.

I have another question. What is the Saints\' history of pursuing restricted free agents? Two of the guys on my list above are RFA. With the success that the \'Skins had in procuring Coles from the Jets last offseason, will more teams go that route? Is it worth it?

At corner, isn\'t it better to pick up a young (non-rookie) player who can play immediately. In my mind, that player is worth a draft pick. What is the down side?

Free Agent Corners
 

Boo is signed. Good news. I\'d like to see Howard resigned ASAP. After that, I actually liked Carter in backup of Deuce this season, and with Banks now, I don\'t think that is a position that needs to be addressed in free agency.

I\'d like to see big names at CB AND MLB. That\'s it. We could do nothing else in FA and I\'d be OK with that. I\'m not sure who I most like right now, but anything is an upgrade. After that you can start honing Grant\'s skills at OLB (he played safety so the guy would be fierce in both pass coverage and coming off the corner on blitzes with safety speed but LB size). Use the draft for a DT and another LB and/or CB if you feel you need it. A OT might be nice too, but get the best available. That\'s my take. I won\'t get into players yet - I\'ll just say the positions are more important to me than those who fill them right now.

Free Agent Corners
 

Yes sir I\'m a born and bred Bama fan, but I spent about 6 or 7 years of my childhood in Baton Rouge and Metarie (St Thomas Aquinas, TH Harris and John Curtis) so there lies my affection for both the Saints and to a lesser extent LSU.

I\'m also not sold on Woodson. I think he\'ll demand Tebucky Jones type numbers and that\'ll kill us cap wise at the other defensive spots.
Rod Davis(MLB USM) is another LB thats on my wish list. The knock was he had awesome instincts but only average speed. But I heard at the senior bowl he shed about 10 lbs and was surprisingly fast with the pads on. Scouts were quietly blown away. His stock rose quite a bit during that week. I don\'t think he gets out of the 2nd undrafted.
If we don\'t get a Vilma I\'d be just as elated getting this guy with one of our 2nds.

I\'d rather pick up a proven player via FA than risk developing a 2nd round or later rookie. Thats why I\'m so high on Bryant. He\'d come in right away and be our best corner and allow us to pick a development guy or two in the draft. He wouldn\'t demand Tebucky type dollars and he\'s from the South so he\'d like playing down here.

Free Agent Corners
 

St. Thomas Aquinas? I knew I didn\'t like you for a reason! ;)

I like Woodson personally, but I certainly understand the desire to save money under the cap. I wouldn\'t mind seeing Tebucky\'s deal restructured or even see him released if he decides not to restructure. I mean, the guy costs a lot of money and he\'s not worth it - certainly not the impact player that he should be, and in my opinion, less of a threat in the secondary than is Woodson. Give Woodson that money up put a combo of Green, Mitchell, and Bellamy back there and I feel better. In any case, Give me Woodson and Victor Green over Jones and Carter.

Free Agent Corners
 

Fernando Bryant at a reasonable price would be great.
The only reason I don\'t like Woodson is the money he no doubt will ask for. He\'s a good, young football player who tends to talk a little too much and too loud at times, but he is a threat in the secondary.

As for Tebucky ... I\'d like to see him play another year before I kick him off the team. After hearing the coaches talk about him and reading some more, I believe I may have unfairly criticized him earlier. He may have done a lot of the little things that help a defense. Most of his good play may have taken place away from the cameras. The Saints pass defense improved, partly because the run defense was so bad the opponents didn\'t have to pass, partly because Venturi changed the scheme so the deep passes were made more difficult, but maybe also because of Tebucky. I haven\'t been in the dome this season and watching a game live in the stands is the only way to judge the play of safety fairly. He\'s not the greatest tackler in the world, okay, but he may be a decent strong safety (overpaid, but still).

P.S.: I know there will be times next season when I throw all of the above out the window and just scream: Tebucky, you idiot! How could you miss that tackle?