weak links in the chain
 

Only my third post and would like to say ya'll provide for some interesting reading.
See alot of positive comments and was wondering what everyone thinks is/are
the weak links (besides Fred Thomas) that could come from injury or just lack of depth, or talent at certain positions..
In looking at the draft and F/A aquistions I believe (and pray it doesnt happen) that if Brees goes down we are screwed. Martin might prevent the ship from sinking but he wont sail it to the promised land.
What do ya'll think?

i'm actually eager to see the team we have right now on the field. sure i think a lot of us are worried about the backup qb position, but hey - we are worried about a backup spot. when was the last time we weren't worrying about starting talent? i can't recall. i'm pretty happy with the people we have, i'd just like to see the finished product. here's looking forward to another great season!

On offense, the TE position. On defense, the secondary, and while everyone piles on Thomas, McKenzie isn't exactly shutting anyone down.

Way too early to tell. Sean taught me last year not to under estimate him, his coaches and the scouting department. He should produce once again more than one gem from the 2007 FAs and the draft. So I have to wait and see who they are. Last year I ate to much humble pie for my liking.
I am already looking forward to 2008 FA and draft.

Right now I think the weakest link is the backup QB position. If Drew Brees gets hurt, we are done as a team.

Besdies that... Maybe the backup MLB or TE? I don't see the secondary as a problem anymore, and I don't see any other weaknesses... Seriously, maybe I am just being a homer, but this team is solid.

I think the food in the Dome is pretty weak....

I mean, can't we get some "local flavor" in the concessions and maybe help resurrect the restaurant scene? Could ya'll imagine a "debris sandwich" at halftime to go with your DOMEFOAM??

Oh, and LB/CB are weak-ish....

Weak link?

We upgraded EVERY position except WR, and that still might still turn out better than last year.

Our offensive backfield & line is a year older and more cohesive, so yes, that is an upgrade.

My only area of concern is special teams. Hopefully the young DB's and LB's can step it up on coverage. Mare's leg will definitely help.

I'm not so sure about that. The last time Martin had substantial playing time with the Rams he led that team to like 4 or 5 wins over an 8 game stretch. In his last game with the Saints he had a 66% completion percentage and only threw one INT (along with one TD)

He's no Brees, I'll give you that, but I think he'd be more like Garcia in Philly last year than the backup for Peyton Manning or Tom Brady (or even Favre for that matter).


The new secondary hasn't yet proved that they won't give up the big play. Until they do, they are suspect.

But at the end of the day, the QB position has to be the weak link now only because the #1 guy is an MVP caliber QB in this league, and the #2 isn't.

SFIAH

Thank God someone else said this before me. I was worried about getting the thrid degree for saying that, so thanks T-R.

McKenzie has never impressed me.

If Harper goes down, we'll have KK and Bullocks starting with Bellamy and Gleason on the bench. Don't know much about the safety we signed from Washington, but a safety going down won't kill us, but will hurt to a degree.

McKenzie hasn't impress as far as his interception numbers go, but I think he's played pretty well. I am not a big McKenzie fan, but I don't have a problem with his play. It's the other cornerback spot I am worried about. I think this offseason took care of that.

I think Mare actually has some big shoes to fill. Carney was money from 40 in, just didn't have the leg strength. Mare has the big leg, but isn't quite as accurate. Hopefully, he will have a good year.

I think the team is a strong as any in the NFL. On Offense, the backfield is probably the best in the league with Deuce, Reggie, Brees and Karney, and the OL is very good, too. that's a dangerous combo. The WR spot is thin in talent. Hopefully Colston can build on last season, that would make him a probowler, no doubt. But after him, Reggie's the second best reciever on the team. Meachum's a big question mark, and Copper, Henderson and Patten just aren't 60 cathes a year recivers. Thank God Drew is the one delivering the ball.

For Defense, the D-Line is stacked. Two all-pro caliber DEs and a now improved DT rotation should make running the ball on a tough job for opposing teams. They're a little thin in the secondary, but there's a lot of young talent on this secondary. LB is probably the weakest link on this side of the ball. Fujita, Shanle, Simmons and Co. can probably get the job done, but none of them are Honolulu bound.

As for the back-up QB. That's the case with everyone. There are like 9 established franchise QBs in the league: Brees, Archie's Boy, Brady, McNabb, Palmer, Farve, McNair, Hasselback and Roethlisberger. Throw in Rivers and maybe Cutler and you've covered all of the SB contenders. I don't think McNabb, Farve or McNair are going to win you a SB, but if any of those 11 guys go down, their team's season is over.

I would say TE - Mark Campbell and Eric Johnson are injury prone and have probably already peaked. We need a young promising TE w/ upside to develop that turns out more like Antonio Gates and less like Boo Williams.

Good point. I really thought (hoped) the team would take Greg Olsen at 27.

As a courtesy to last year's starters I believe Payton listed KK, David and Simmons as back ups. No way we spent that cash for these 3 to play back up and ST.
As for Harper's BU, Bellamy filled in well last year, but is another year older and slower. Gleason might not be ready in September. Reis could make the team.

Totally agree Scott.