Saints First Round Picks > FAIL!
Posted 12-06-2011 at 08:24 AM by jeanpierre
When you look at the first round picks (see below) I see major disappointment and a big reason why the Saints have limited their success...
2002 Pick 13 Donte Stallworth, WR Tennessee
This guy didn't make the news for success for the Saints - this guy killed someone with his car, served less than a month and still committed crime by stealing an NFL salary as a receiver; Could have saved future draft picks and took Shockey who went next...
2002 Pick 25 Charles Grant, DE Georgia
This guy's biggest headline was when his posse shot a pregnant woman; move up one spot and you get Ed Reed, move back one spot, Lito Sheppard.
2003 Pick 6 Johnathan Sullivan, DT Georgia
Another Bulldog who was more intimidating to buffet tables than opposing quarterbacks. Again, could have kept picks 17 and 18; though Polamalu was gone at 16, could have gotten Faine (21) earlier and Asomugha (31)...
2004 Pick 18 Will Smith, DE Ohio State
Very late bloomer, has had varying degrees and stretches of success; gets his stats in bunches against inferior competition; had a nice stretch during the '09 campaign; is that all he's got left? Good Value here though Jared Allen and Shaun Phillips were there in Round 4...
2005 Pick 13 Jammal Brown, OT Oklahoma
Excellent Right Tackle; moved to left tackle marginalized him; still lives off of his brief early Probowl success; for what he's paid by the Redskins (value), Saints should have gotten more draft pick value; Now we love Drew, but Aaron Rodgers would have stopped the "He Who Is No Longer Named" Experience at quarterback, also Roddy While and Logan Mankins in that round; Michael Roos who's a far better Tackle was taken in early Round 2 (we took Josh Bullocks with the previous pick)...
2006 Pick 2 Reggie Bush, RB Southern California
This pick was tremendous and helped change the culture in New Orleans; stubbornness to make him a pro-forma running back was near sighted as he was a tremendous receiver that affected defenses; his selfishness disheartened fans and hastened his exit; Charlie Casserly is vindicated, while this was the right pick at the right time, and he provided an immediate impact, Saints could have built more for future with picks Haloti Ngata, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, or Nick Mangold...
2007 Pick 27 Robert Meachem, WR Tennessee
Lacked conditioning, a wide receiver at that, to play effectively his rookie season; has had some long gainers for highlights that could have easily gone to other receivers...marks a tremendous slide in return on first round picks, Bust; the draft we should have moved up in to take Patrick Willis, Darelle Revis, Dwayne Bowe, or Jon Beason...
2008 Pick 7 Sedrick Ellis, DT Southern California
The consolation pick; Saints failed to get Glenn Dorsey from KC and instead pick the underwhelming DT from USC; for what was given up, Bust; Stay where we were we have Jerrod Mayo, or even pick Ryan Clady...
2009 Pick 14 Malcolm Jenkins. DB Ohio State
Has developed extremely well but seems to have hit a ceiling; while he's made some plays, does not give many big hits or make interceptions as his mentor had provided; stock is starting to slide, Jury Deliberating; I wanted Clay Matthews...
2010 Pick 32 Patrick Robinson, CB Florida State
Non-exististent his first season, had good off season despite lock out and while he's had his growing lessons on National Television has played well; could Saints have moved back into early Round 2 and still have found him there for the value he's given thus far? Can he take his game to the next level to warrant his selection in first round? Jury asks for Menu; Let's give 'em a little more time, though he got one free season on us...
2011 Pick 24 Cameron Jordan, DE California
While he'll need some time to develop; you'd think with Smith, Ellis, Rogers/Franklin that this first rounder could have a few more big plays; but it is early, but one thing for sure is the pass rush has not improved at all...Jury ask to continue in AM; let's geaux all you DL can't be being doubled...
2011 Pick 28 Mark Ingram, Jr., RB Alabama
When you consider the premium on draft picks after the changes in the CBA, and the cache given to New England to get him; the low YPC and failed conversions on short yardage situations, he's disappointing and underwhelming; nothing like what Saints Nation was sold on...Jury asks to be excused as their Grandma is sick; you were supposed to be the Rookie Offensive Player of the Year, not the guy from Auburn...
I am a Saints Fan and I approve this message.
2002 Pick 13 Donte Stallworth, WR Tennessee
This guy didn't make the news for success for the Saints - this guy killed someone with his car, served less than a month and still committed crime by stealing an NFL salary as a receiver; Could have saved future draft picks and took Shockey who went next...
2002 Pick 25 Charles Grant, DE Georgia
This guy's biggest headline was when his posse shot a pregnant woman; move up one spot and you get Ed Reed, move back one spot, Lito Sheppard.
2003 Pick 6 Johnathan Sullivan, DT Georgia
Another Bulldog who was more intimidating to buffet tables than opposing quarterbacks. Again, could have kept picks 17 and 18; though Polamalu was gone at 16, could have gotten Faine (21) earlier and Asomugha (31)...
2004 Pick 18 Will Smith, DE Ohio State
Very late bloomer, has had varying degrees and stretches of success; gets his stats in bunches against inferior competition; had a nice stretch during the '09 campaign; is that all he's got left? Good Value here though Jared Allen and Shaun Phillips were there in Round 4...
2005 Pick 13 Jammal Brown, OT Oklahoma
Excellent Right Tackle; moved to left tackle marginalized him; still lives off of his brief early Probowl success; for what he's paid by the Redskins (value), Saints should have gotten more draft pick value; Now we love Drew, but Aaron Rodgers would have stopped the "He Who Is No Longer Named" Experience at quarterback, also Roddy While and Logan Mankins in that round; Michael Roos who's a far better Tackle was taken in early Round 2 (we took Josh Bullocks with the previous pick)...
2006 Pick 2 Reggie Bush, RB Southern California
This pick was tremendous and helped change the culture in New Orleans; stubbornness to make him a pro-forma running back was near sighted as he was a tremendous receiver that affected defenses; his selfishness disheartened fans and hastened his exit; Charlie Casserly is vindicated, while this was the right pick at the right time, and he provided an immediate impact, Saints could have built more for future with picks Haloti Ngata, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, or Nick Mangold...
2007 Pick 27 Robert Meachem, WR Tennessee
Lacked conditioning, a wide receiver at that, to play effectively his rookie season; has had some long gainers for highlights that could have easily gone to other receivers...marks a tremendous slide in return on first round picks, Bust; the draft we should have moved up in to take Patrick Willis, Darelle Revis, Dwayne Bowe, or Jon Beason...
2008 Pick 7 Sedrick Ellis, DT Southern California
The consolation pick; Saints failed to get Glenn Dorsey from KC and instead pick the underwhelming DT from USC; for what was given up, Bust; Stay where we were we have Jerrod Mayo, or even pick Ryan Clady...
2009 Pick 14 Malcolm Jenkins. DB Ohio State
Has developed extremely well but seems to have hit a ceiling; while he's made some plays, does not give many big hits or make interceptions as his mentor had provided; stock is starting to slide, Jury Deliberating; I wanted Clay Matthews...
2010 Pick 32 Patrick Robinson, CB Florida State
Non-exististent his first season, had good off season despite lock out and while he's had his growing lessons on National Television has played well; could Saints have moved back into early Round 2 and still have found him there for the value he's given thus far? Can he take his game to the next level to warrant his selection in first round? Jury asks for Menu; Let's give 'em a little more time, though he got one free season on us...
2011 Pick 24 Cameron Jordan, DE California
While he'll need some time to develop; you'd think with Smith, Ellis, Rogers/Franklin that this first rounder could have a few more big plays; but it is early, but one thing for sure is the pass rush has not improved at all...Jury ask to continue in AM; let's geaux all you DL can't be being doubled...
2011 Pick 28 Mark Ingram, Jr., RB Alabama
When you consider the premium on draft picks after the changes in the CBA, and the cache given to New England to get him; the low YPC and failed conversions on short yardage situations, he's disappointing and underwhelming; nothing like what Saints Nation was sold on...Jury asks to be excused as their Grandma is sick; you were supposed to be the Rookie Offensive Player of the Year, not the guy from Auburn...
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Comments
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This is a great post! My friend and I often laugh about drafting of our two franchises. Mine (Saints) are awful and his (Vikings) are really good. They have picked up some really good guys over the years.
I almost totally concur with everything you have posted in this entry. You have to be critical in all honesty. Looking specifically at the 'Brees era' I think there have been some questionable picks.
A lot of people call Reggie a bust. I'm not comfortable with that. I think he offered a lot to the Saints, changed the way the offence was programmed. His biggest problem was that he couldn't really offer what a traditional RB could. Sometimes you just wanted him to go north and south and between the tackles and I always felt he struggled with that. Let's be honest, what Sproles has offered in 12 games far outweighs what Reggie ever gave us.
Meachem. I like him a lot. Decent WR but he's not a first rounder is he? At the end of the day, the truth is that someone like Brees only needs someone who can run a half decent route with some pace and he'll find him.
Sedrick Ellis. I think he's an 'ok' DT but he doesn't make any big plays or give me massive confidence that he can change a game. We need him on D simply because we do not have anything else. Would look at getting him some premium support or replacing him if necessary very soon indeed.
Malcolm Jenkins. I like the comment on him 'hitting a ceiling' but I actually like Jenkins. He's shown great versatility and at times he's shown some real big play potential. There have been too many times where I have seen a big play absorbed because our corners 'didn't get safety support' which is disappointing but he's still learning and I'm not uncomfortable with what he is doing.
Patrick Robinson. Awful First season. Truly awful HOWEVER he is probably one of the players I have thought was most improved this season. Totally different player. Yeah he's not perfect. He's given up some stupid yardage and sometimes looks to jump routes that aren't even happening but I'm reserving judgement.
Cameron Jordan. Feel sorry judging him so quickly but when you're a first rounder, people expect something soon from you. He has just not really done anything has he? At no point do I ever think 'Wow this kid is getting some pressure on that QB'. Many times, I wonder if he's even on the field? He needs to improve quickly and his next season is very important. If he doesn't step up, he could be in trouble of busting pretty quick.
Ingram. I am a fan of Ingram. He is getting far too much criticism. His first half of the season was 'ok' but not stellar. However he has improved in recent weeks and I am loving how he compliments the running game. People are comparing him to Chris Ivory but I think he is different. How he fits in with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles is superb. He's been gaining more and more yards, showed he can receive and offers yet another dynamic. I think he could be very impressive. The problem is, everyone is comparing him to Demarco Murray already. That kid is having one hell of an introduction but that's a ridiculous comparison.
So my advice to the Saints Draft Team is to look at some of the franchises who do it better, and steal their notes!
Posted 12-08-2011 at 07:51 PM by thebdj
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