BPA at 58 = Brian Leonard ?

hagan714 · 04-17-2007, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by NarwhalHunter

I think the one position we can all agree upon as being loaded is at running back, so the last thing we need is to invest a high round pick in an RB. Unless Sean wants to start running some wishbone formations or something...

When every bodies healthy I agree with you. But even then we are thin in our rotation. One starter goes down and we are very thin. Stecker was a non factor more and more as the season went on. If he makes it to us at 58 he will be the BPA, IMO. After that we are looking at reaching in round 3 or hoping in 4 that one falls. 5-7 is always a major crap shoot.
Take him.

BRSaintsFan · 04-17-2007, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

When every bodies healthy I agree with you. But even then we are thin in our rotation. One starter goes down and we are very thin. Stecker was a non factor more and more as the season went on. If he makes it to us at 58 he will be the BPA, IMO. After that we are looking at reaching in round 3 or hoping in 4 that one falls. 5-7 is always a major crap shoot.
Take him.

Sure if someone goes down then things are thinner than originally but thats the case for any team in the league at any position. If we selected him, then we would bank on carrying 5 backs (Deuce, Reggie, Stecker, Karney, and Leonard) unless he could absolutely outplay Stecker on special teams and in the 3rd down role.

Also something to think about, if we draft a WR which is very likely then Michael Lewis might not make the roster cut making Stecker the leading kick returner and possibly not very expendable.

hagan714 · 04-17-2007, 10:42 PM

I am sure any WR/CB/RB in the draft, espically in the mid rounds, will have to be a dual threat as KR. It is a must due to ML age. Stecker just seems to me to be out of the picture. As the season went on I thought I saw less and less of him. Another back, be it Leonard or another (ie. Booker), has to be able to give Duce a rest without changing the play book much. Stecker can not do that. Reggie has no choice but to line up in the backfield. Limiting his flexability. A bigger back would keep him line up all over the field. Teams do carry 5 backs. Only a few have 5 good ones. Patriots are a good example. IF he drops and IF Shawn takes him, we might have the stronest RB rotation in the NFL. Leonard subbing at FB and RB.

NarwhalHunter · 04-18-2007, 01:51 AM

Jammal Branch is also still on the roster, and he looked pretty good every time he got a chance to carry the ball. He runs like a slower version of Deuce.

BRSaintsFan · 04-18-2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

I am sure any WR/CB/RB in the draft, espically in the mid rounds, will have to be a dual threat as KR. It is a must due to ML age. Stecker just seems to me to be out of the picture. As the season went on I thought I saw less and less of him. Another back, be it Leonard or another (ie. Booker), has to be able to give Duce a rest without changing the play book much. Stecker can not do that. Reggie has no choice but to line up in the backfield. Limiting his flexability. A bigger back would keep him line up all over the field. Teams do carry 5 backs. Only a few have 5 good ones. Patriots are a good example. IF he drops and IF Shawn takes him, we might have the stronest RB rotation in the NFL. Leonard subbing at FB and RB.

I agree that Stecker didnt have much of a season last year from an offense standpoint but he also didnt have a load of opportunities on offense either. I just dont see a role for Leonard on the team whereas teams such as the Patriots carry 5 RBs on their roster, with all of them having more distinct roles. Last season, Dillon and Maroney were the 1-2 punch. Heath Evans was their FB. K Faulk provides them with a return man. Patrick Pass played as thei 3rd down back.

Now that being said, I wouldn't be disappointed to get a versatile player with the motivation, character, and leadership of a Brian Leonard and if he is head and shoulders above everyone as BPA at that point, then we have to take him. But I just don't think that he would get the touches or the role on offense or special teams to take advantage of his skills and if there is another player who might not be quite the caliber but is a combination of need and BPA, then I would go that route.

If we are going to take a RB, then Im thinking late rounds or if one really stands out, but I would rather see someone who can contribute on special teams and on offense and can replace Stecker from both points. Guys like Booker, Garrett Wolfe, or Ramonce Taylor would be guys that could be had later in the draft than Leonard and these guys would be able to help in the return game and provide another fast, shifty 3rd down back that could allow Reggie to still line up in the slot or at wide out but also be dependable dump off guys who still have the big play potential to take a short dumpoff for big gains.

Euphoria · 04-18-2007, 12:39 PM

if we ended up with him, I wouldn't complain. Its nice to have lots of weapons and need I say injuries... we can always unload Deuce. LOL>

04-17-2007, 04:42 AM	#1
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Originally Posted by NarwhalHunter I think the one position we can all agree upon as being loaded is at running back, so the last thing we need is to invest a high round pick in an RB. Unless Sean wants to start running some wishbone formations or something... When every bodies healthy I agree with you. But even then we are thin in our rotation. One starter goes down and we are very thin. Stecker was a non factor more and more as the season went on. If he makes it to us at 58 he will be the BPA, IMO. After that we are looking at reaching in round 3 or hoping in 4 that one falls. 5-7 is always a major crap shoot. Take him.

04-17-2007, 10:28 PM	#2
BRSaintsFan 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 449	Originally Posted by hagan714 When every bodies healthy I agree with you. But even then we are thin in our rotation. One starter goes down and we are very thin. Stecker was a non factor more and more as the season went on. If he makes it to us at 58 he will be the BPA, IMO. After that we are looking at reaching in round 3 or hoping in 4 that one falls. 5-7 is always a major crap shoot. Take him. Sure if someone goes down then things are thinner than originally but thats the case for any team in the league at any position. If we selected him, then we would bank on carrying 5 backs (Deuce, Reggie, Stecker, Karney, and Leonard) unless he could absolutely outplay Stecker on special teams and in the 3rd down role. Also something to think about, if we draft a WR which is very likely then Michael Lewis might not make the roster cut making Stecker the leading kick returner and possibly not very expendable.

04-17-2007, 10:42 PM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	I am sure any WR/CB/RB in the draft, espically in the mid rounds, will have to be a dual threat as KR. It is a must due to ML age. Stecker just seems to me to be out of the picture. As the season went on I thought I saw less and less of him. Another back, be it Leonard or another (ie. Booker), has to be able to give Duce a rest without changing the play book much. Stecker can not do that. Reggie has no choice but to line up in the backfield. Limiting his flexability. A bigger back would keep him line up all over the field. Teams do carry 5 backs. Only a few have 5 good ones. Patriots are a good example. IF he drops and IF Shawn takes him, we might have the stronest RB rotation in the NFL. Leonard subbing at FB and RB.
	Last edited by hagan714; 04-17-2007 at 10:50 PM..

04-18-2007, 12:33 PM	#5
BRSaintsFan 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 449	Originally Posted by hagan714 I am sure any WR/CB/RB in the draft, espically in the mid rounds, will have to be a dual threat as KR. It is a must due to ML age. Stecker just seems to me to be out of the picture. As the season went on I thought I saw less and less of him. Another back, be it Leonard or another (ie. Booker), has to be able to give Duce a rest without changing the play book much. Stecker can not do that. Reggie has no choice but to line up in the backfield. Limiting his flexability. A bigger back would keep him line up all over the field. Teams do carry 5 backs. Only a few have 5 good ones. Patriots are a good example. IF he drops and IF Shawn takes him, we might have the stronest RB rotation in the NFL. Leonard subbing at FB and RB. I agree that Stecker didnt have much of a season last year from an offense standpoint but he also didnt have a load of opportunities on offense either. I just dont see a role for Leonard on the team whereas teams such as the Patriots carry 5 RBs on their roster, with all of them having more distinct roles. Last season, Dillon and Maroney were the 1-2 punch. Heath Evans was their FB. K Faulk provides them with a return man. Patrick Pass played as thei 3rd down back. Now that being said, I wouldn't be disappointed to get a versatile player with the motivation, character, and leadership of a Brian Leonard and if he is head and shoulders above everyone as BPA at that point, then we have to take him. But I just don't think that he would get the touches or the role on offense or special teams to take advantage of his skills and if there is another player who might not be quite the caliber but is a combination of need and BPA, then I would go that route. If we are going to take a RB, then Im thinking late rounds or if one really stands out, but I would rather see someone who can contribute on special teams and on offense and can replace Stecker from both points. Guys like Booker, Garrett Wolfe, or Ramonce Taylor would be guys that could be had later in the draft than Leonard and these guys would be able to help in the return game and provide another fast, shifty 3rd down back that could allow Reggie to still line up in the slot or at wide out but also be dependable dump off guys who still have the big play potential to take a short dumpoff for big gains.

04-18-2007, 12:39 PM	#6
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	if if we ended up with him, I wouldn't complain. Its nice to have lots of weapons and need I say injuries... we can always unload Deuce. LOL>

04-18-2007, 01:51 AM	#4
NarwhalHunter 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hattiesburger with Cheese Posts: 146 Blog Entries: 1	Jammal Branch is also still on the roster, and he looked pretty good every time he got a chance to carry the ball. He runs like a slower version of Deuce.