ScottBalot

I wouldn't give up on Deuce yet, but what I would do is find a capable backup. Not being a homer at all, but someone like Joseph Addai would be a perfect fit. Stecker has done a decent job, but he's not a home run hitter, tends to fumble a bit too much, and seems to struggle in pass protection. If the franchise quarterback is available when you pick, you take the franchise quarterback. The only issue I have with Leinart would be signability. Not that I think he would pull an Eli, but knowing how this front office works, the fact that they haven't gotten a first round pick in camp on time in a few years, and the uncertainty of the Saints makes me question how much a problem it may turn out to be. If he is drafted, the last thing this franchise needs would be a lengthy holdout from someone who will be the face of the franchise for years to come.

saintz08

With a QB under center who has the arm and accuracy to deep threat .

Deuce is gonna rule the pool .....

xan

Dump Deuce. Deuce hasn't been the same since he hurt his ankle 2 years ago. He's been either 50% or 0% for the last 2 years. With the injury he's sustained, it's unlikely he'll make it back to 100% and with his history whatever condition in which he'll return he likely won't remain there long.

More importantly, I certainly am not going to pay Benson money to see the Saints next year unless there's some sort of compelling reason, like witnessing a once in a generation player like Bush in Black and Gold. This concept of New Orleans not supporting a team would be more realistic if there was actually a FOOTBALL player on it.

BlackandBlue

I sympathize with this, and it has been something that has me torn. I want to support the team in every way possible, in order to prove to the NFL that New Orleans can support a franchise. But, not exactly thrilled with putting more money in the greedy coffers of such an A-Hole.

It hasn't looked good outside the state of Louisiana, from a media standpoint. Questions arise as to whether or not a team can be supported in the gulf, and the first point they site is the attendance records at Tiger stadium.

saintswhodi

First, we can't dump Deuce. We just signed him to a new deal last year. So yeah, Deuce being one of the highest paid RBs n the league now, let's draft another one with the first pick, and have so much money tied up in one position we can't sign anyone else. Brilliant. I read Deuce will be ready for training camp. He'll be fine. Hopefully with the injury he has dropped weight, and can get back some explosion. Hopefully the new coach will let him be and not tell him to bulk up, slim down, and then bulk up again.

Second, FRANCHISE QB. Anyone know what that means? Prob not cause we haven't had one since Archie. You don't pass on those, PERIOD. Never. Ever. Leinart is the real deal. He is grading our higher than Eli and Carson did on draft boards. And we pass that up for what? Bouman? Someone else's backup? Although there are several backups I would have taken, that was prior to a realistic shot at Leinart. Now we have it. Passing on him would be the dumbest thing we could do, cause we will prob never be in this position to get a QB like this again. Ever. Can't do it. Nope.

tiggerpolice

we shouldn't give up on deuce....with brooks at qb, all defenses focused on him......its kind of hard to do something with pigskin if the defense knows you are going to have the ball in your hands 90% of the time.

xan

Having been a front line spear chucker in the mighty and righteous movement to rid ourselves of Brooks, you don't need to tell me of the glaring need at qb. Yet a qb's best friend is the unstoppable RB, and Deuce is just too damn stoppable. He doesn't hit holes, he's slowing down and he's hurt most of the time; I don't care how much is on his contract, he will be worth more to us in a trade than he has been on the field the last two years. There will be at least 10 quality qbs on the open market (11 if you count AB, lol) and any one of them can serve as mentor to AMac. Geez, look at Drew Brees (not his fault that they didn't make the playoffs this year) and his resurgence due to an unstoppable Ladanian Tomlinson.

Plus, if you follow fantasy football theorists, running backs like Alexander and Tomlinson have more impact on winning for their NFL teams than quarterbacks, hence their value. Controlling the ground game has and will be the foremost issue for Super Bowl caliber teams, and there's no sense in making ourselves Benson-like and going against this reality. How many rated rookie franchise qb's actually delivered? We're still waiting for most of them to put their helmets on.

But more than anything, whoever's starting at RB better damn well hold onto the ball this year. This crew can't hold on to their ass while wiping.

saintswhodi

xan, ever heard of Tom Brady? Course you have. In his first two superbowls, what kinda running game did he have? Hardly any. Peyton Manning? How easy do you think it is for Edge to run with defenses knowing Peyton can light them up at will? Donovan McNabb? No running game, made the superbowl last year, and NFC champ game 4 straight. Tomlinson? He was the best back in the league 3 years ago, and the Chargers were 4-12. They sucked for his first 2-3 years, yet he was the best back in football. Not until Drew Brees stepped up did they take the next step. Please don't try and tell me a great QB can't overcome a weak running game. But a great running game can't cover for a weak QB. How many titles did Barry Sanders win for the Lions? To me he is the best back ever. IMO, Deuce can still do it. blocking, and coaches fluctuating his weight screwed with him. I am willing to bet he will come back next year hungrier, leaner, and ready to carry the load. No way we pass on Leinart. No way.

Euphoria

Deuce is done. I blame the Oline as well they are horrible can't block for Brooks can't block for Deuce... If we have a shot at Bush I say we snag him, if not we address that Oline. Thats where everything starts.

xan

Yeah, I've heard of that 6th round pick before, what's your point? That it's a total crap shoot on qb's and while Deuce did have great impact in his 1st two years here, the drag on him in that draft was that he'd be hurt most of the time, and guess what! The Saints need a whole lot of everything. But like Euph said, if the O-line doesn't think you'll hit the holes they're making because you're fat and slow and decellerate at the point of attack, why bother blocking (I'm liberally translating here, sorry Euph). The only thing that makes a qb good enough to develop into a Brady is the threat that someone else on your team will beat you worse than him; Brady has had some excellent and durable RB's to hand the ball to over 45% of the time. Deuce is not that guy anymore. Bush is. I'd rather have Leinart's O-Line than Leinart, push came to shove.