hagan714

FootballOutsiders.com

New Orleans Saints
Pick Player Player Rankings Best Player Available
2 RB Reggie Bush 1, 1, 1, 1 RB Reggie Bush (4)
43 DB Roman Harper 68, 76, 91, UR RB LenDale White (2), OT Eric Winston, DB Ashton Youboty
108 OT Jhari Evans 160, 207, UR, UR DT Babatunde Oshinowo (2), DB DeMario Minter, DE Mark Anderson
135 DE Rob Ninkovich 100, 207, UR, UR DT Babatunde Oshinowo (2), DB DeMario Minter, DE Mark Anderson
171 WR Mike Haas 85, 116, 161, UR DT Babatunde Oshinowo (3), RB Andre Hall
210 OT Zach Strief 156, 167, UR, UR DT Rod Wright (2), DE Stanley McClover, RB Andre Hall
252 WR Marques Colston 206, 212, UR, UR RB Andre Hall (2), DB Anwar Phillips (2)


The Saints spent much of the pre-draft period trying to trade down from the second pick, but their failure to get a deal done turned out to be a blessing in disguise, and New Orleans was there to catch Reggie Bush after his shocking one spot 'fall' on draft day. The Saints had no crying need at the running back position -- they just gave a big contract extension to Deuce McAllister and brought in Michael Bennett to be the backup -- but to the team's credit, they didn't let that dissuade them from taking the consensus best player in the draft. Bush is the most versatile offensive prospect since Marshall Faulk, and it will be interesting to see how new head coach Sean Payton decides to utilize him. Payton was the offensive coordinator for the Giants when they made their 2000 Super Bowl run, and he rotated Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne, giving each of them nearly an equal number of carries despite the fact that Barber averaged 4.7 yards a carry while Dayne managed only 3.4. Barber has subsequently shown that he can easily handle a full workload, and if Payton is wise, he will simply give Bush the starting job to start the season. Not only is Bush already the best outside runner, the best receiver not named Joe Horn, and the best return man on the team, he is also a more effective between-the-tackles runner than McAllister. The Saints offense has suffered for years from McAllister's inability to consistently generate four yards on first or second down carries -- he tends to mix in a few long runs with a lot of 1-2 yard carries -- and correcting that problem will do more than anything else to lift the offense.

It's good the Saints pulled off a slam dunk with their first round pick, because the rest of their draft was not inspiring. Roman Harper is limited athletically, and he was taken at least one round before any board projected him to go. Jhari Evans is a small-school project who is at least two years away from competing for a starting job. One of the boards liked Purdue 'tweener Rob Ninkovich, but it's not clear where he is going to play in the team's 4-3 scheme. He'll have to bulk up if he wants to see regular time in the defensive line rotation. The Saints did a better job with the back end of their draft, where they were able to land Mike Hass, Zack Strief and Marques Colston all at good value. Hass is a particularly interesting addition. He doesn't have speed, but he runs crisp routes, has excellent hands and shows excellent awareness on the field. On a team stocked with athletically gifted underachievers at the receiver position, Haas could establish himself as a reliable underneath target and a third-down specialist.


Latest Transactions
The Saints and the Browns swapped centers in the offseason. LeCharles Bentley signed with Cleveland, and New Orleans filled the hole by trading for Cleveland center Jeff Faine. Cleveland selected Faine, a product of Notre Dame, 21st in the 2001 draft. For Faine, New Orleans moved down from the 33rd pick to the 43rd pick.
New Orleans sent their fourth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive tackle Hollis Thomas. Thomas is a non-factor in the pass rush, but at 306 pounds he effectively takes up blockers. However, at 32, Thomas is best used in a limited role in a rotation.


Undrafted Free Agents
Linebacker E.J. Kuale (LSU) has been making waves in Saints camp. "I think he understands what it takes probably to make an NFL roster," head coach Sean Payton said of Kuale. The ruptured tendon of James Allen should help E.J. find a spot. Sean Payton called defensive tackle McKinley Boykin (Ole Miss) "explosive and sudden," which are terms not often used to describe Saints defenders. Cornerback Anwar Phillips (Penn State) was expected to be taken on the second day of the draft. (You'll notice his name as Best Player Available for much of the seventh round.) He has the physical tools to play the position, but struggles at times with the mental aspect of the game.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5666094

okay more support for dumping Donte and Henderson. I like the tweener bit in the thought of 34 returning to the dome. we are getting the LB together for it IMO. Well this is probly the last one to be posted

NewMexSaint

I love duece, but man hes right about him not pulling off any 4 yrd 1st down runs as of late, I sure hope that injury is fine. I miss him running fools over

hagan714

I give Duce a break on that one. Haz was given a very good OL and all he did was wreck it. Duce would not have been hurt as much also. Just look at the OL turn over payton seems to agree

TallySaint

We probably shouldn't expect Deuce to be back to form, barring re-injury, until late in the season or 2007.

Unless we get an unusually good trade for Bennett, the running backs are - Deuce, Bush, Bennett and Stecker. I'm comfortable with that. Trading Bennett would cause me some discomfort.



8)

NewMexSaint

Yeah me to, Id hate to see the 2 headed monster lose one of its heads, especially if we didnt have another head like Bennett to plug in. I dont think we would miss a beat with him.