New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper found himself in a new role Sunday against the Green Bay Packers: linebacker. And if certain trends continue, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said that could happen more frequently.

In a press conference yesterday, Spagnuolo said that injuries at the linebacker position forced him to change the depth chart a bit. Harper was moved to the “Will” or weakside linebacker position in nickel packages with his backup safety Isa-Abdul Quddus coming in for him.

Spagnuolo brought up the point that Harper does well at the line of scrimmage and this stands pat from the 2011 season. He was used frequently by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to blitz at the line of scrimmage last season with much success.

With Jonathan Casillas(neck) and David Hawthorne(hamstring) back on the mend from injuries, Harper could continue to be utilized at linebacker if they need him to. To be honest, it’s no secret that Harper has wained the past several seasons at the safety position and considered a liability in pass coverage.

New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

I like it.
Can we also Try out sproles at safety?

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

We already have 2 safeties that can't catch!

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

If you can play slot receiver, why cant you be a corner? Why cant Lance
Moore play defense too?

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Because Lance Moore would be a Deion Sanders. He doesn't want to take or give a hit.
He'd probably be an interception machine tho

Ok back to reality

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Harper at LB, Quddus at SS; I like it!

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

NM

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

We need to be trying anything we can to better this defense. I know Danno is shaking his head and really wanted to say something about this.

At this point..try anything because what we are currently doing is not working.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Deion Sproles?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LFIcXj4xKF.../crosseyed.jpg

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Actually....Edleman for the Pats plays a little corner/FS from time to time...so u never know...

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

I honestly don't know what to think. It really seems kind of sad in a way.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Why is it sad? Harper has always been better at run support near the line...

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

I like it.. but I liked it last year too when it was called a nickel defense.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Colston would like to retaliate for all those hits... how about Marques at safety

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

This isn't good. He's already small for a SS.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Yeah I've heard the same thing mentioned about players we have had in the past..hmmm

Point is, who the hell knows..it might be crazy enough to work. If it don't then oh well. Atleast Spags is trying to do something. It's mainly because of injuries but I would rather see Harper get a chance and maaaaaybe exceed, then watch Shanle go out there a suck up the place with his suckiness.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Hey its not like this defense could get any worse, give it a try. If its works then Spags looks like a genius, and if it doesn't then so what, at least he tried to do something different to change the production on defense

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Carolina uses Thomas Davis similar to this. I like the idea. Speed and coverage ability at backer from a guy who is decent in run support might work well. My concern is our depth at safety. I don't like anyone we have there and it might well expose a new problem.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Great idea imo.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Sad in the fact that it resorts to this.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

No matter what the position, Harper really needs to be in the box and not in deep pass coverage. I am fine with putting him in at LB in certain situations, I am not sure he would make an ideal every down LB. Good job to the coaching staff on this move, gotta put people in positions to succeed and not fail.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

ok now i am totally confused here. ok i gotta start a new thread

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

I am in favor of this, Harper is better in run support. He can't cover receivers over the top but he could go man 2 man with a TE. We can now move Corey White to SS to see how that goes.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

bahaha, yes. I do like it too

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Can I bring up some more ways to help out this defense, since we are now playing a zone defense can't Spags move Jenkins to nickel corner and Let White and Quddus play the safety slots. This team needs a shake up.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

ok here is my response to harper moving to WILL

http://blackandgold.com/saints/51419...ez-wilson.html

I personal think harper is done as a saint and Jenkins should slide into the SS position and saints either draft or go after a top flight FS in FA

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

The sad part about this theory is the saints traded a undisclosed draft pick for Ruud and have already had there second round draft pick taken away from them due to bountygate. Just exactly when are they supposed to draft anybody? Even if the Saints go 3-13 and happen to be the worst team in the league this year they still dont get to pick first. Looks like we could really use some rookie free agent research right now. I would start watching film from preseason and find some breakout players on the other teams practice squads that want to be starters. Just a thought, but arent there quite a few options out there? There has to be a reason why the teams keep those players around.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

^ We still have our 1st round pick

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Where do you get the information for the draft picks? Also there is no guarantee that they didnt trade that pick for Ruud.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

For Ruud?? Are you serious..:roflmao:
That dude wouldn't garner a 7th round choice much less a 1st.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

I can guarantee you they didn't give up a first for Ruud...

We have our 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th before the Ruud trade, and Roger said himself we have a chance to get our 2nd back...

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Yes the Saints can get their 2nd rounder back but at the cost of their 3rd and 6th which is another load of bull from Ye Ole Kamissoner

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Perfect ! We've been screaming forever that Harper is an LB. I love this so much. I'd like to shift MJ to SS and let quddus play FS tho.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

This has actually been on my mind quite a lot the last couple of years myself. I think it's a win-win move. You get Harper playing at his strongest point and moving him away from his weakest. Even though he's a little smallish to be an every down linebacker, he still makes plays near the line of scrimmage and would immediately jump up to the top blitzing linebacker on the team.

And although his pass protection blows for an SS it's probably better than your typical LB skill level.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

He covers like a typical SS. His coverage doesn't blow.

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Roman Harper?

The guy who made the pro bowl as a SS?

Not saying he won't make a good LB, he probably will, but he's not THAT bad...

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Pro Bowl.. Schmo bowl... Compared to the rest of our talent he looks THAT bad..:cool:

Re: New Orleans Saints Roman Harper could see more time at linebacker
 

Disagree. He's probably our 3rd or 4th best player.