Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker

Attached Thumbnails · 03-25-2015, 12:43 PM

It appeared the New Orleans Saints created a significant hole in the defense's starting lineup after releasing middle linebacker Curtis Lofton earlier this month. Saints coach Sean Payton had a plan in place, however, and said Wednesday David Hawthorne will shift over to replace Lofton.

The Saints retained Hawthorne, who initially looked to be a prime candidate to become a salary cap casualty, this offseason. He agreed to take a pay cut and the Saints unloaded Lofton, who was set to count more than $9 million against the 2015 salary cap.

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Danno · 03-25-2015, 12:51 PM

This would also likely shift newly acquired Dannell Ellerbe into Hawthorne's role as a weakside middle linebacker. The Saints picked up Ellerbe from Miami in the Kenny Stills trade earlier this month.

I like it.

ChrisXVI · 03-25-2015, 01:06 PM

Weakside ILB is where Ellerbe had success in Baltimore so that's a good idea.

Rugby Saint II · 03-25-2015, 01:36 PM

So, Ellerbe and Hawthorne get to play the position where they exceled before.........it sounds like a recipe for success. I am so tired of moving someone to a position because there is a deficiency at the spot.

spkb25 · 03-25-2015, 02:18 PM

hes better in coverage than lofton

saintfan · 03-25-2015, 02:19 PM

Championship!

spkb25 · 03-25-2015, 02:19 PM

if Ellerbe pans out, huge help

ChrisXVI · 03-25-2015, 03:10 PM

This is all pre-draft though... I'm sure if we draft a guy like Stephone Anthony or Benardrick McKinney we could see things play out differently.

FinSaint · 03-25-2015, 03:15 PM

This is initially where I pictured him fitting in the Saints' defense back when the possibility of signing him first surfaced. Then I was really surprised when they also signed Lofton, who seemed like someone with a similar skillset and best fit to play the same spot as Hawthorne.

Hopefully Hawthorne can regain some semblance of his good form with Seattle, although it's years and couple of injuries later.

halloween 65 · 03-25-2015, 03:20 PM

Hawthorn played OLB in a 4-3. JR was at DE. So if we go 4-3 that will put 2 ILB'ers out of place if we run a 3-4 both need to stay on the inside.

03-25-2015, 12:43 PM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 36,958 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) It appeared the New Orleans Saints created a significant hole in the defense's starting lineup after releasing middle linebacker Curtis Lofton earlier this month. Saints coach Sean Payton had a plan in place, however, and said Wednesday David Hawthorne will shift over to replace Lofton. The Saints retained Hawthorne, who initially looked to be a prime candidate to become a salary cap casualty, this offseason. He agreed to take a pay cut and the Saints unloaded Lofton, who was set to count more than $9 million against the 2015 salary cap. read more Attached Thumbnails
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03-25-2015, 12:51 PM	#2
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker This would also likely shift newly acquired Dannell Ellerbe into Hawthorne's role as a weakside middle linebacker. The Saints picked up Ellerbe from Miami in the Kenny Stills trade earlier this month. I like it.

03-25-2015, 01:06 PM	#3
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker Weakside ILB is where Ellerbe had success in Baltimore so that's a good idea. Danno likes this.

03-25-2015, 01:36 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,718	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker So, Ellerbe and Hawthorne get to play the position where they exceled before.........it sounds like a recipe for success. I am so tired of moving someone to a position because there is a deficiency at the spot. Danno and ChrisXVI like this.

03-25-2015, 02:18 PM	#5
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,057	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker hes better in coverage than lofton

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03-25-2015, 02:19 PM	#6
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker Championship! spkb25 likes this.

03-25-2015, 03:10 PM	#8
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker This is all pre-draft though... I'm sure if we draft a guy like Stephone Anthony or Benardrick McKinney we could see things play out differently. spkb25 and Rugby Saint II like this.

03-25-2015, 03:15 PM	#9
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,955	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker This is initially where I pictured him fitting in the Saints' defense back when the possibility of signing him first surfaced. Then I was really surprised when they also signed Lofton, who seemed like someone with a similar skillset and best fit to play the same spot as Hawthorne. Hopefully Hawthorne can regain some semblance of his good form with Seattle, although it's years and couple of injuries later. hagan714 likes this.

03-25-2015, 03:20 PM	#10
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker Hawthorn played OLB in a 4-3. JR was at DE. So if we go 4-3 that will put 2 ILB'ers out of place if we run a 3-4 both need to stay on the inside.

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