Re: The Open Db Position...
 

Let me get this straight.....Fred Thomas is the best bet for our nickel corner? Sorry, but I've seen enough of Fred Thomas & Jason Craft's play (or lack thereof) for the last few years to make me vomit daily. I know we paid Jason David big bucks, but if Young outplays him in camp.....guess who's gonna' be the number 2 CB? I personally thought Young was the second most talented CB in the draft behind Chris Houston from Arkansas. He's the real deal & I loved the pick. I was dissappointed when we didn't snag Houston with our 1st rounder, but Young is a nice concellation prize.

David Jones making the team would be a major flop? Why? Because he played for a small school? See J'Hari Evans & Marques Colston about that one. There are talented players at small schools. Bare minimum, Jones makes this team as a special teamer. He is talented.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

Good post, gandhi. The way Payton runs his competitions, for all we know Young and David will be the starters and McKenzie the nickel back. I doubt that, but after seeing Colston's rise last year, you never know. If all the rookies play lights out in camp there's no reason to keep either Craft or Thomas, and that's what TC and preseason is for. Either way, you have to love the fact that our weakest positions from last year (LB and CB) have more than enough depth and competition to keep us all hooked to hear and debate every single practice.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

As we all saw by last season's purging of veterans, Payton has no problem keeping young players. If David Jones outperforms his competition in camp, he will make the team. I like Fred Thomas... always have. I've also never been a Jason Craft hater either... but if Young and Jones were to beat those twp to out of a job, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Last year I thought we were doomed when Payton started cutting everyone... half the roster was different from the previous year. Boy was I wrong... he's going to put the best players on the field.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

I have been hearing Anwar Phillips name a good bit and wouldn't be surprised if he made the final cut. I am sure Jason David and McKenzie will be the starting corners. Fred Thomas is coming in here with a pay cut and a chip on his shoulder. I think he can handle the nickel back spot. It will be a fight between Thomas, Young, and Craft. Thomas simply can't handle being out on that island anymore. I think Craft is the odd man out. Thomas will probably start out as the nickel if he makes the team and Young will replace him later in the year. We'll see what these new and older guys have come Sunday and have a better idea of what we are working with.

I just want playmakers and not give up as many big plays. I don't care who is out there, the best will play. Payton, I'm sure, will make the right decision. Now that we actually have a #2 corner, I am sure there will better results. That's something we never had last year which is why we traded for one and drafted some younger guys. You can add at least one pick for Thomas if he hadn't had that cast on hand against Dallas

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

My fault...i got caught up...i meant to say it would take a rash of injuries and some major flops for Ries to make the team...i saw earlier on this thread that he is a sleeper and even referred to as the most talented of the young guys...i think that is crazy...i strongly believe that David Jones makes the team...but he is going to have to fend off Anwar Phillips...who, as Boogro stated, is really having a good camp. My prediction for the secondary on opening day is Mckenzie, David, Thomas, Young, and Jones...Harper, KK, Bullocks, and Bellamy. Phillips may sneak in if he can prove in the preseason that he can also play some special teams.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

Gotcha.....I don't see Ries making the team either. And on Anwar Phillips...Yep, he's looked impressive so far in camp.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

Since when has McKenzie been a "sure bet"??? I've never liked him - except in green bay. And then I think it was harris that I liked. I'd rather see Jason David, (mckenzie in the nickel), and usama young replacing mckenzie. with either anwar phillips, or fred "double move" thomas as the spare parts. usama is more athletic, more instinctive, and younger.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

If the Saints keep Nine DB's and that is a big IF, look for them to take Jones over Thomas. Thomas is a 12 year vet and that means many more dollars against the cap over Jones. There are going to be some interesting free agent linebackers becoming available after the cuts and the Saints may be looking to put the Thomas money to better use. I would be sort of surprised to see them keep nine dbs in the first cut. My opinion is that is more likely Jones makes the practice squad, unless he really shines on special teams. I think we might be taking an extra wideout instead of nine dbs.;)

Oh I forgot look for the Saints to sit McKenzie by week six, if Young keeps going the way he's going.

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

Well this will be a good sign of things to come. Remeber McKenzie's contract is running out soon. But at todays rate he is a bargin. So this group and next years new bodies will be the dbs of the future. By this time next year Craft (this year) and Thomas will definity be gone. Then McKenzie probably no later than next year. But do not count him out. Winning seems to effect his play.
I am betting that we go with one less S this year and Bellamy might be the odd man out. KK can play either postion and that is a stronge 3 man rotation. Youth and versitility will win out for the final back up at S. Phillips and Jones both have the size that for sure. Who knows.
To me, at this time, that may be the best risk to take. We did something simular last year and Bellemy was there when we needed him. Lets see who we can stash on our practice also. With age and contracts catching up to the old guard in the secondary now seems like the best time take the gamble and hold on to some the young guys we have in camp and/or whatever we can pick up from the scrape heap as pre season ends.