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this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Here you go..... http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...ory?id=2396671 New Orleans Saints Defensive end: Wayne Gandy is coming off a disappointing season and is on the downside of his career. In addition, Jammal Brown is versatile enough to move from the right side to replace ...
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04-16-2006, 10:01 AM | #1 |
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ESPN Insider's take on Saints' needs
Here you go.....
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...ory?id=2396671 New Orleans Saints Defensive end: Wayne Gandy is coming off a disappointing season and is on the downside of his career. In addition, Jammal Brown is versatile enough to move from the right side to replace Gandy on the left side, so it comes as little surprise that New Orleans traded him to Atlanta. However, the Saints now need to fill the starting right tackle spot vacated by Brown. One option is Jon Stinchcomb, but he missed all of last year with a knee injury and his ability to bounce back is very much in question. New Orleans needs a tackle who can push Stinchcomb for the starting job opposite Brown. Defensive tackle: Jonathan Sullivan is the prototypical tease. He flashes the ability to control the point of attack, but is too inconsistent and doesn't make nearly enough big plays for someone with his talent. Brian Young has good quickness and Willie Whitehead is a technician who rarely gets caught out of position. However, both have problems holding their ground when teams pound the ball inside. Their inability to clog up the middle is a big reason New Orleans finished last season with one of the most porous run defenses in the league. While free-agent signing Cedric Woodard is an adequate situational run stuffer, Seattle cut him during the preseason and he failed to appear in a game last year. As a result, the Saints need a defensive tackle strong enough at the point of attack to stabilize the interior run defense and quick enough to immediately step into the starting lineup. Center: The significance of losing LeCharles Bentley to free agency cannot be overstated. Bentley, who signed with Cleveland, is an efficient run blocker and an excellent pass blocker who anchored the offensive line. At this point, Jamar Nesbit is expected to replace him. Nesbit lacks ideal quickness for a center and is a better fit at guard, where he lined up last year. It's also important to note that moving Nesbit effectively weakens depth at guard. Adding a center who has the burst, agility and power to step into the starting lineup would allow Nesbit to move back into a reserve role, where he can provide depth at both center and guard. McKenzieCornerback: Mike McKenzie is a physical corner who can muscle receivers out of their routes, and Fred Thomas still has quality man-to-man cover skills. However, Thomas turns 33 this year and lacks ideal size for a No. 2. Making matters worse, Fakhir Brown signed with St. Louis, Jason Craft is 30 and Joey Thomas failed to make an impact last year. The Saints need a corner who can immediately step into the nickel back role and eventually push Thomas for playing time. Outside linebacker: New Orleans signed Scott Fujita and Anthony Simmons. In addition, Colby Bockwoldt exceeded expectations last year. However, this remains a need. Fujita lacks ideal quickness, Bockwoldt is undersized and Simmons, who has problems staying healthy, is coming off a season-ending injury. While James Allen re-signed, a hamstring injury slowed him last year. Further complicating matters, T.J. Slaughter is an unrestricted free agent who isn't expected back and Sedrick Hodge signed with Miami. The Saints need a linebacker who has the tools to make an immediate impact and enough smarts to develop into a quality starter in the near future. Other options: Offensive tackle, middle linebacker and tight end I don't know if this was already posted...sorry if it has been. |
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