dberce1

INABILITY TO TRADE NO. 2 PICK FUELS SAINTS' LEINART INTEREST

Although our friend Peter King of Sports Illustrated threw us a bone on Monday with another mention in his MMQB column, we disagree with King's belief that reports of the Saints being legitimately interested in quarterback Matt Leinart are "absurd."

We continue to hear, from sources close to the action, that the Saints are taking a serious look at the 2004 Heisman winner. Not in order to generate a trade market for the No. 2 overall pick -- but because they couldn't gin up interest in a trade and are now faced with the strong likelihood that they'll have to use the selection.

So then the question becomes whether the guy with for whom they initially had a fleur-de-lis in their pockets (N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams) deserves the kind of contract that the No. 2 overall pick receives. Though the final decision hasn't been, and likely won't be, made until moments before the draft card is submitted on April 29, the Saints are giving Leinart a serious look-see.

For now, the Saints are doing their due diligence, bringing in Leinart for a visit. Maybe they'll really like him after spending time with him. Maybe they won't. Either way, the visit will provide the Saints with additional information, which will help them decide what to do.

Meanwhile, the Saints don't have an obvious need at the quarterback position, since they signed Drew Brees early in free agency. But we heard at the time the Saints were courting Brees that the former Chargers' starter preferred Miami to New Orleans because the Saints had floated to him the notion of giving him the job for 2006 while Leinart gets up to speed, and as the overall roster gets more acquainted with Malcolm in the Middle's offensive scheme.

Grain of salt:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

xan

Let's just pick Lienart and be done with it. If someone really wants him after our selection, then let them make us a really good offer. Otherwise we'll be set for the qb position no matter what transpires. There are still 7 quality linemen that can be had in the 2nd round as well as LBs.

spkb25

well i don't usually listen to that website. what to do what to do. if we can't trade the pick we could look to pick matt in the hope that someone didn't expect us to and will trade for him and give us their pick. that would be ok. if not we probably have other needs

TIGERSAINT31

Any trade that happens will happen on draft day not before. So far the front office has done a good job and I believe they will do whats best for the team (A.J. HAWK). Its going to be fun to watch

spkb25

tiger i thought that is what we were talking about, draft day

TheDeuce

Here's what I'm thinking. Even if other teams don't think that we're seriously considering drafting Leinart, the Jets would still have to trade up over Tennessee in order to secure Leinart because I believe that if Leinart is there at #3, the Titans would take him.

Cassady37

I can't help but think that the Saints have told Brees that they would not draft Leinart if he signed with them. Considering that was the reason he was considering the Dolphins over the Saints to start with. (If the rumor is true). No, I think it's a last-ditch effort to try and get more value for the #2 pick to address multiple needs. And, in the event that doesn't work, pick D'brick out-right. Just my 2-cents worth anyways.

xan

I really think it was the 10 million signing bonus and Miami dropping out that did it for him. No other team was even within a nukular bomb blast radius of talking with him. There's no way the FO would promise not to draft the best player available. And what's more, too bad for Drew if they do. It means he'll have to actually work to keep his starting job, just like it took drafting Rivers to light a fire under his ass in SD.

spkb25

i don't think that would be horrrible xan

Bise

I would much rather draft a lineman or a line backer..... but at #2 I say take Leinart.