Experts Grades And Analysis On Saints Draft

saintsfan1976 · 04-30-2007, 12:04 PM

Myself, I give a C+. I love the fact that Payton refuses to sit still on what was the best offense in the NFL last year. We definitely added a starter and some depth to the O.

Considering the offseason signings to the defensive side, I would say that we made some holes smaller (dunno about filled, yet) lol.

I still believe that we should have drafted a solid DT. Just me. I am happy with the overall draft.

Here's what the experts say:

Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports: Grade: B
Wideout Robert Meachem was a solid pick in the first round, but Greg
Olsen seemed to make more sense and still offered a good offensive
weapon. Cornerback Usama Young has a ton of experience and could
develop into a solid starter, which is good third-round value.
Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod and cornerback David Jones were solid
small-school gambles. The fourth-round pick of Antonio Pittman is
fantastic value and might foreshadow the departure of Deuce McAllister
after the 2007 season. Basically, a good, solid draft for depth.
............
John Czarnecki / FOXSports.com: Grade: B-
I know the Saints lost Joe Horn, but they ignored several defensive
needs to take speedy Tennessee receiver Robert Meachem in the first
round. A dozen teams ranked Meachem only behind Calvin Johnson in this
draft, so that should make Drew Brees very happy. The other pick that
stood out was Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman in the fourth round.
Pittman started two consecutive seasons for the Buckeyes and only lost
the football twice on 557 rushing attempts. Pittman averaged 5.3 yards
a carry and is a physical inside runner. But how does he get on the
field with Deuce McAlister and Reggie Bush on your roster? After having
tremendous success with two small school players last season, the
Saints continued the trend by taking players from Kent State, Akron,
Towson and Wingate.
.........
Dr. Z/CNNSI Grade C
We are so sophisticated now that size and speed numbers, such as WR
Robert Meachem's 6-2, 215 and 4.39, which would have, at one time, left
us positively flabbergasted, are merely taken for granted. "Must be
able to shake the coverage," we murmur, and that's what I hear about
Meachem, their No. 1 pick. Of further interest is the choice of Ohio
State's premier runner, Antonio Pittman, in the fourth round.
Productive, but hardly dazzling. And how will he work into the
McAllister-Bush rotation?
.............
War Room scouts Grade B-
The Saints gambled on talented athletes who are not polished players,
including WR Robert Meachem, CB Usama Young and G Andy Alleman. The
best value pick, RB Antonio Pittman, will be stuck behind Deuce
McAllister and Reggie Bush.
...........
Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline: Grade B
Best pick: Third-round pick Andy Alleman, a guard from Akron, is a
tough guy who will find a spot in the lineup in a year or two.

Questionable move: Not drafting a defensive tackle. They need help in
the middle.

Second-day gem: Running back Antonio Pittman. He wasn't a need pick,
but the value was too great in the fifth round.

Overall: I like Robert Meachem in the first round, but third-round
pick Usama Young might have been a reach in the third round.
....................

Mel Kiper,ESPN.com: GRADE: B-
New Orleans went with Robert Meachem, the best available player on the
board. The Saints weren't desperate for a wide receiver but this was
still a good pick. Cornerback Usama Young has a lot of physical talent,
but his play at Kent was up and down. Taking Young in the third round
could qualify as a reach. Young might have been a reach, but guard Andy
Alleman was a quality pick in the third round. Antonio Pittman will
give New Orleans more depth at running back; Jermon Bushrod is a
quality prospect at left tackle; and David Jones from Wingate was a
good sleeper pick. He had 15 career interceptions was real good
small-college defensive back. Marvin Mitchell will be a backup
linebacker.

..................
Tom Weir, USA Today (Two Stars out of Four)
The Saints were expected to emphasize defense, but couldn't pass up
getting another wideout for Drew Brees when Robert Meachem was
unexpectedly available at No. 27. Second-round DB Usama Young fills a
need.

04-30-2007, 12:04 PM	#1
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,975 Blog Entries: 3	Experts Grades And Analysis On Saints Draft Myself, I give a C+. I love the fact that Payton refuses to sit still on what was the best offense in the NFL last year. We definitely added a starter and some depth to the O. Considering the offseason signings to the defensive side, I would say that we made some holes smaller (dunno about filled, yet) lol. I still believe that we should have drafted a solid DT. Just me. I am happy with the overall draft. Here's what the experts say: Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports: Grade: B Wideout Robert Meachem was a solid pick in the first round, but Greg Olsen seemed to make more sense and still offered a good offensive weapon. Cornerback Usama Young has a ton of experience and could develop into a solid starter, which is good third-round value. Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod and cornerback David Jones were solid small-school gambles. The fourth-round pick of Antonio Pittman is fantastic value and might foreshadow the departure of Deuce McAllister after the 2007 season. Basically, a good, solid draft for depth. ............ John Czarnecki / FOXSports.com: Grade: B- I know the Saints lost Joe Horn, but they ignored several defensive needs to take speedy Tennessee receiver Robert Meachem in the first round. A dozen teams ranked Meachem only behind Calvin Johnson in this draft, so that should make Drew Brees very happy. The other pick that stood out was Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman in the fourth round. Pittman started two consecutive seasons for the Buckeyes and only lost the football twice on 557 rushing attempts. Pittman averaged 5.3 yards a carry and is a physical inside runner. But how does he get on the field with Deuce McAlister and Reggie Bush on your roster? After having tremendous success with two small school players last season, the Saints continued the trend by taking players from Kent State, Akron, Towson and Wingate. ......... Dr. Z/CNNSI Grade C We are so sophisticated now that size and speed numbers, such as WR Robert Meachem's 6-2, 215 and 4.39, which would have, at one time, left us positively flabbergasted, are merely taken for granted. "Must be able to shake the coverage," we murmur, and that's what I hear about Meachem, their No. 1 pick. Of further interest is the choice of Ohio State's premier runner, Antonio Pittman, in the fourth round. Productive, but hardly dazzling. And how will he work into the McAllister-Bush rotation? ............. War Room scouts Grade B- The Saints gambled on talented athletes who are not polished players, including WR Robert Meachem, CB Usama Young and G Andy Alleman. The best value pick, RB Antonio Pittman, will be stuck behind Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. ........... Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline: Grade B Best pick: Third-round pick Andy Alleman, a guard from Akron, is a tough guy who will find a spot in the lineup in a year or two. Questionable move: Not drafting a defensive tackle. They need help in the middle. Second-day gem: Running back Antonio Pittman. He wasn't a need pick, but the value was too great in the fifth round. Overall: I like Robert Meachem in the first round, but third-round pick Usama Young might have been a reach in the third round. .................... Mel Kiper,ESPN.com: GRADE: B- New Orleans went with Robert Meachem, the best available player on the board. The Saints weren't desperate for a wide receiver but this was still a good pick. Cornerback Usama Young has a lot of physical talent, but his play at Kent was up and down. Taking Young in the third round could qualify as a reach. Young might have been a reach, but guard Andy Alleman was a quality pick in the third round. Antonio Pittman will give New Orleans more depth at running back; Jermon Bushrod is a quality prospect at left tackle; and David Jones from Wingate was a good sleeper pick. He had 15 career interceptions was real good small-college defensive back. Marvin Mitchell will be a backup linebacker. .................. Tom Weir, USA Today (Two Stars out of Four) The Saints were expected to emphasize defense, but couldn't pass up getting another wideout for Drew Brees when Robert Meachem was unexpectedly available at No. 27. Second-round DB Usama Young fills a need.