RE: Good Idea?
 

It's almost impossible to fathom. Here's a franchise QB sitting pretty at #2 for us, when any other year, the guy's gone at #1. And guys want to pass on him for an offensive lineman? Or a LB, when this is one of the deepest drafts at the LB position in years? Not drafting Leinart at #2 would prove to everyone in the world that this franchise is o.k. with being mediocre. Hell, we might as well chip in for the U-hauls to L.A. if we draft an O-lineman. I don't care how good D'Brickashaw Ferguson is. Nobody goes to games to watch a lineman block!!!

... every year during this time we always hear the "who'll want to play/coach here?" argument.

Look, there aren't that many NFL coaching positions available, and players don't want to sit out a year without getting paid or being out of the league, knowing that they could have a very hard time coming back into the league. Money is money and playing time is playing time whether you are in S.F., New England, or Miami... they may not be able to win championships, but sure as hell they can build up their resume in N.O.

.. and I know many would come back and say " but you couldn't get quality free agents..."
..well, what's a "quality free agent"? It's very easy to come up with a name, you know, like Law, or Lewis, or whathaveyou, but when has one big name player F.A. make a loser into a winner?

... to me, a quality free agent is someone who's going to work within the system, whatever his last name is...

Re: RE: Good Idea?
 

You make a good point. However, if that lineman isn't there to block, then it doesn't really matter how good that franchise QB is. He will be spending all of his time laying on his back.

David Carr is a perfect example of this. Leaguewide he is considered to be a franchise QB. Picked #1. But he has the NFL record for most sacks in a season and I believe for the 1st 4 years as a QB (202! OUCH!)

They have the #1 pick. And they are going to pick Bush. But while not flashy, I think Carr may be better served by getting someone like Ferguson to help keep him off his back.

But as you say, no one comes to see linemen block. But linemen blocking is a major step towards becoming a successful franchise.

SFIAH

RE: Re: RE: Good Idea?
 

I guess I will continue to disagree with the majority. I feel that OL or LB will be able to adapt alot quicker than a QB and that's all I have to say about that.

Just so you don't get ME confused with those people who think we need to trade down, then maybe I should be a little more specific. I've been an advocate of drafting Matt Leinart since the season began. If you go WAYYY back to after the Green Bay disaster, you'd see a post that I made that hoped we lost out the remainder of the season (which almost happened) and draft Leinart. Anyone who watched this team last year, regardless of Hurricane Katrina, saw that this was a pathetic team. Don't expect the Saints to be 10-6 or 11-5 this coming season and contending for a Super Bowl. I say trade off some of our existing players who just aren't cutting it for more draft picks and build for the future that way. Never, and I mean NEVER should we pass up on a potential franchise QB.

Hey D, I respect a man that sticks to his guns. I have a different view but damn sure respect your opinion.

Much appreciated, Cheramie....I respect your opinion as well. It would surprise me but not shock me to see the Saints trade down in the draft and do something similar to the scenario you'd like to see. However, if they do trade down, I'd expect them to try to pick up Furgeson or Hawk with their first pick and possibly a QB with the 2nd, if they were to get 2 first rounders. Most likely Cutler or Brodie Croyle. But, IMHO, I think the Saints would be foolish to pass up Leinart, or even Young (even though I hope they don't draft Young). People use the comparison of David Carr, but our offensive line is leaps and bounds better than the Texans. They're definitely not the best, but the O-Line has been a revolving door the last few seasons with no consistency. That was the downfall of Jim Haslett because of the lack of continuity. I think Leinart will fare much better off then David Carr in his first season or two.

TRUE DAT!!!!!!!!!!!!1 :D :D :D

D_it_up2,

I wasn't specifically pointing to the Saints in terms of offensive line play. I was simply pointing out while fans don't necessarily come out to see offensive linemen block, that teams must have effective OLine play to be successful.

Personally I believe that the Saints should pick Leinard for no other reason than it's the can't miss pick of the draft. Even if Leinard never turns out to be a ProBowl, HoF QB in the NFL, there will be little "what if" type second guessing about the pick.

SFIAH

Nice post D. I've been hearing alot about the O-line lately, when they are not all that bad. Not great, but they have shown signs of improvement. Believe me, there are worse O-lines in the league. They just had bad blocking schemes & a QB that didn't know how to navigate the pocket.

I think Leinart will fare better than Carr also, simply because of his pocket presence. While not a great scrambler he moves well in the pocket allowing his linemen to do their job. It's hard for an O-lineman to block when any time your QB feels pressure, he moves outside (Aaron Brooks). That gives fast NFL DE's an edge.