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Saints team report

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Saints Team Report The team would like to sign a free-agent corner, but the biggest names--Chris McAlister, Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson--aren't expected to reach the market. The team might have to target a second-tier player such as Antoine Winfield ...

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Old 02-02-2004, 11:32 AM   #1
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Saints team report

Saints Team Report


The team would like to sign a free-agent corner, but the biggest names--Chris McAlister, Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson--aren't expected to reach the market. The team might have to target a second-tier player such as Antoine Winfield or Fernando Bryant. But Winfield (5-9) lacks size, and Bryant is not a strong run defender. The team might use one of its four draft picks in the first three rounds to take a wide receiver. The club isn't happy with Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth or Jerome Pathon.

On-the-job training

The team is sending two promising younger players to NFL Europe for seasoning. WR Derrick Lewis and QB J.T. O'Sullivan need playing time, but both are good prospects. Lewis has tremendous hands and acceleration in and out of his cuts but lacks the power and strength to beat defenders at the line of scrimmage. Coach Jim Haslett wants to see him become more physical. If he can improve in that area, he could win the No. 4 receiver spot. O'Sullivan hasn't played a down since being drafted in 2002. Coaches love his intelligence, mobility and knowledge of the offense. They hope NFL Europe will accelerate his development and boost his confidence.

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Old 02-02-2004, 11:58 AM   #2
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Saints team report

Defensive back field and LB\'s are a must for this season. If I look at the team as a whole over the past few years, even with Randy Meuller at the helm, the team just has not been doing what it needed to do to beef up the defense. I know this is hind site but dropping L\'Roy Glover and Sammy Knight turned out to be big mistakes.

But I ask myself would they have played to their capabilities here? Sometimes players are traded away and they thrive in a new environment. Norman Hand was ok at the Chargers, came to the Saints and became a star. Now they trade him and he\'s career appears to be back on track in Seattle. He\'s lost a ton of weight. Same thing with Joe Horn.

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Old 02-02-2004, 12:03 PM   #3
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Saints team report

Depends on the system. Mark Fields did good for us, didn\'t do well at all with the Rams, and was able to have his best years with the Panthers. If the players don\'t fit, you must acquit.
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Old 02-02-2004, 12:44 PM   #4
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Saints team report

Great observation BandB, forgot to add that also. Some players don\'t fit in the systems at some teams and thrive at others. I also think getting the boot wakes them up and they realize they have a second chance to perform. I think Hand had that happen at the Saints, where he was not being utilized in San Diego, but became one of Haslett\'s boys here in New Orleans. Didn\'t think about it like that though.
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