NOLA.com New Orleans Saints can't salvage 2014 draft class even with Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks is the only player saving the New Orleans Saints' 2014 draft class. I take that back.

Actually, there's really no way to save the class. It's no wonder why the Saints punted much of the scouting department this offseason.

The culmination of the debacle came Saturday when the Saints waived second-round pick cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste during the last round of training camp transactions.

SJB seemed like he was improving during the early portions of training camp. But he faded quickly with the apex occurring during Thursday's preseason finale at Green Bay. Sean Payton heavily scolded SJB near the end of the dreadful 38-10 loss at Lambeau Field.

A Payton butt chewing typically leads to the end of the road for a fringe player.



read more here

[QBREES9]

Oh well!

[hagan714]

there are more than a few people not surprised by it. I am surprised that this maybe the worse draft in saints history. just when you thought we had all those bases covered we pull another dead stinking wabbit out of the hat.

[homerj07]

Doh and Bart!

[jeanpierre]

Okay, I'm going to speak a little heresy here...

The 2014 class was a total bust, including Cooks, and this is why...

First, yours truly, as well as several draft veterans, as opposed to draft expert automatons, pointed out that several equally effective (not talented, but effective) wide receivers were available later in the draft...

As such, we wouldn't have had to give up a costly third round pick...

Coming off the Goodell bountygate beatdown bullshinski penalty of two second round picks, this team couldn't afford to package picks and minimize the cap relief of the infusion of rookie players...

(This reality hit me upon draft day as my man crush fever subsided as I realized Atlanta was going to get Vic Beasley and I was experience, to a lesser station what Coach Payton et al went through over Cooks)

The smart move is to get as much talent on the field at one time, maximizing each talent player's abilities and impact each and every play...

Second, while Brandin Cooks is an amazingly fast athletic talent who will surely have a play package to stretch defenses, football is a physical game and his size will always be a limitation with regards to repeated beatings...

I look forward to seeing Cooks smoke defenders by scoring many touchdowns, but he won't be a Colston that you can post up inside twenty yards and physically go get the ball - consistently...

That said, Payton realized the errors of the Saints ways and they went out and, fortunately for us, got a very available Jeff Ireland (Hats off to Stephen Ross for being a totally Politically Correct Spineless douche and making him available to the Saints)...

It's not just the scouting and player assessments that have been garbage and no where near the bar set by Coach Payton on the playing field...

It's been the draft management that has pretty much sucked balls as well which is why I state the draft as a total bust...

Nonetheless, while I don't wear another man's named jersey, with the exception of Archie Manning which was part of my upbringing, I'll be pulling for Brandin Cooks as much as any fan and wish him health and success as a Saint!

[jeanpierre]

I'd also mention that with the exception of Keenan Lewis, many of our veteran free agents have underwhelmed...

Terry Fontenot may need to find another role, with another team...

Guess we'll see what got away with Pace now with the Bears...

[jeanpierre]

And why is our Linebackers Coach's son a f***ing scout?!?

If he was a scout with Reiprish, why is he still employed?!?

Then again, with the investment in Linebacker with first, second, fifth round picks, well...

...we'd better see some d*mn linebacker development and improved play or send the linebackers coach and his scout back to Towson State...

[alleycat_126]

I cant lie and say I wasn't happy about the Jean Baptiste pick when it happened.... I am still gonna hope that he passes through waivers and they put him on the practice squad..... Every other pick that the Saints made during that draft, including Cooks was complete horse****. Injury concerns, Offensive Lineman who know one knew... What pains me even more is cut day this year to see some of the picks Khari Fortt and a few others being cut from their second teams..... They have to get better in this area if we ever hope to be good/great long term..... 2014 was our worst draft ever.........

[darksoul35]

I feel the same way about Peat as I did about SJB. I hope im wrong.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

And why is our Linebackers Coach's son a f***ing scout?!?

If he was a scout with Reiprish, why is he still employed?!?

Then again, with the investment in Linebacker with first, second, fifth round picks, well...

...we'd better see some d*mn linebacker development and improved play or send the linebackers coach and his scout back to Towson State...

Are you in sports media? That was one of the best posts I have read here.

I hate to say it but I dont see Cooks ever being anything more than a situational WR. He is a typical Payton skill offensive player, a multi purpose receiver. Like the receiver version of Sproles or Bush.