Saints Pickup List (Includeing Coach's)
 

Just let me know what you would do if you were the owner or MG at the Saints?

First, I hire Mike Singletary as head coach. I let him pick the assistant coaches. Next, I have to identify who to bring back and who to let go personnel-wise. I then attack in full the positions I need to fill in free agency. Whatever I don't fill in free agency, I fill in the draft. If I still have needs, I look to see what is out there after June 1st, and start training camp.

The list of keepers on personnel shouldn't be very long. Here's the players I would keep:

Deuce
Will Smith
Charles Grant
LeCharles Bentley
Jammal Brown
A Mac
Mitch Berger
McKenzie
D. Smith
Bullocks
Fahkir Brown (only as a nickel or dime back)
Watson (moved to WLB)
Stallworth
Devery Henderson
Joe Horn

and maybe a few younger players....that's about it. I'd totally revamp the majority of the team. If I were Tom Benson, I'd sell the team. If I were Mickey Loomis, I'd fire myself.

Nice list D, but I think I'd add Zach Hilton. He showed potential this year and one hell of a target. Besides he might bring his sister Paris to a game for me! :shock:

I think I would look at trading everyone I could... after all we have just begun to rebuild now. Deuce isn't that specail anymore, he is just hype now, so if you can snag Bush you do it...

I would go after Childress as a HC if I couln't get Pete Carroll

I like the list. And definitely keep Hilton.

As for anyone not on the list... trade bait. Trade 'em if you can, but replace 'em all. Most especially trade Carney. He's been done in my book since he missed that extra point after the River City Relay.

Nobody should -ever- miss an extra point in this league. And most -especially- when the game is on the line.

Here's my base list:

QB-Bouman, McPhearson
RB-Deuce, Stecker, Thomas
FB-Karney
TE-Hall, Hilton
OT-J. Brown, Stinchcomb, Archibald, Mayberry
OG-Holland,Nesbit
OC-Jacox, Bentley (although I don't think he stays)
WR-Horn, Stallworth, Henderson, Lewis

DE-Grant, W. Smith, T. Bryant, Verdon
DT-Sullivan, Woodard, B. Young
ILB-Fincher, McKinnon
OLB-Watson, Allen, Bockwoldt, Slaughter
CB-McKenzie, F. Brown, F. Thomas
S-D. Smith, Bullocks

P-Berger
K-Carney

That's 40 guys. New staff needs a new starting QB, young capable backup at RB, backup at Guard, backup at Center, need a tall, possession WR, new starting NT, new starting MLB, nickle/dime cornerback, backup safety, new kicker. This is just a starting point if I were in charge.

I don't know how I looked over Zach Hilton. He really did impress me late in the season once he finally got some PT. I also overlooked Mike Karney, Tony Bryant, McKinnon, and Aaron Stecker. However, with the addition of those players, there aren't many more on the team I would keep. Some on Scott's list would be "only in case of emergency" players.

What do you suppose they do? Trade everyone for draft picks and take nothing but rookies? Isn't there a limit on the amount of draft picks you can have? Or should they trade their players to another team for another player straight up? Do you realize how rare it is to see a straight up trade in the NFL? As far as Reggie Bush is concerned, I don't think there is anyone that wouldn't want him in a Saints uniform, HOWEVER, running back is NOT the glaring need for this team. A franchise QB is, though. That's why Leinart is definitely the best option as long as they can build an offensive line to protect him. With the receivers we've had the last few years, Leinart could shred defenses in the right system and having all day to throw. That in turn would open up the run game more, because teams wouldn't only be focusing on Deuce. Deuce struggled because NO DEFENSE truly respected Aaron Brooks, so they zeroed in on the running game. Deuce is still a top 10 runningback when healthy, regardless of what anyone thinks. They just haven't had the offensive line for him to prove it.

I wouldn't necessarily go into the season with all those players, but I would use them as a basis for competition with whatever guys I would bring in for training camp. You have to remember some guys may have their buttons pushed differently with a new coaching staff, and may play better than they did under Haslett. I'd also have to have a long talk with Joe Horn about his alligator mouth.