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WLB - Colby Bockwoldt, Derrick Rodgers, Jeremiah Garrison
MLB - Courtney Watson, Orlando Ruff, Cabel Rohloff
SLB - James Allen, Roger Knight, Terrance Melton
:weepy: :crying: :weepy: :crying:

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what using a 5-2-4 defense?

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Don\'t sweat it yet Danno..

The Draft is coming soon..and we WILL get better at LB...

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But we\'d have to draft 5.

I bet we draft ONE LB, if we\'re lucky.

And I\'ll bet you a beer (domestic of course) that it ain\'t gonna be round one or two!

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Well..maybe we can still get a suprise from the possible Howard trade...

I really do feel like we will address the LB position early in the Draft..regardless of what else we may do in FA...

I know what your saying though...And I hope they do right...

They have really suprised me thus far..and many people will just write it off as a typical Fa period..but..I think it was very telling..that they might have a better grasp on the pulse of the team...and how to address it effectively...

I really belive they will do good on the draft...real good

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I hope you are right. But every one of us had LB and DT in their top 3 or 4 areas to address going into 2005.
We have addressed neither.
Smith, Mayberry, and Meier were all good pickups but didn\'t address the main two problem areas we have, LB and DT.

I always thought the blueprint for success is to address your MAIN weaknesses in free-agency, which allows you to take the BPA in the draft.

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Look at that LB roster closely.

SEDRICK FRICKIN\' HODGE is better than all but 3 of those guys. That is inexcusible.

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Danno:
The two key primary issues that need to be addressed are the (1) Secondary (2) Offensive line (3) Linebacking corps (4) Defensive Tackle and (5) QB. These are where the statistical analyses showed weakness in order.

(1) It wasn\'t that there was little pressure on the QB, as evidenced by the sack and turnover totals, it was the number of downfield receptions by WRs and the number of penalties in coverage that make this the case. Plus, looking ahead, the Saints face very strong TE\'s, and Smith matches up well (remember losses to SD, ATL and Den?)

(2) Pre-snap penalties, low \"pocket protection\" time and the number of forced fumbles behind the line of scrimmage made this the primary focus for the offense. Also, keeping the offense on the field longer to help the D usually means running the ball, and Mayberry is a strong run blocker. Three birds with one stone here

(3-4) Cap room has run out to solve these problems in FA. Until/Unless a deal is made for Howard, the draft will have to solve these issues

(5) A simpler offense may help alleviate some of the problems in decisionmaking that AB had. The addition of Klingler could yield a respectable #2

First moves in FA addressed the biggest needs. If there\'s a sweetheart deal out there, it may happen. But there\'s not enough cap room to do everything. Fix the biggest holes first, then use duct tape.

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Good Post Xan...That\'s what I\'m talking about...

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To go along with (2) Meier\'s addition appears to bolster the ball control theme. The Saints had the 37nd rated TE (williams) by DVOA, last of the regulars. My issue here is the FO traded up only 1 spot for Meier, getting the 36th rated TE. He did, however catch 69% of passes thrown his way, vs 44% and 53% for Boo and Conwell. If ball control is going to be an issue, having a TE that can actually catch is going to be key. His red zone effectiveness appears to be an attraction.