The Open Db Position...
 

With S Steve Gleason out for the year it leaves an extra spot open in the defensive backfield.

One of the youngsters who chances were slim coming in to camp now have an excellent opportunity to make the team.

Who do you think it's going to be. Below are a few choices:

39 Reis, Chris S 6-1 207 24 3 Georgia Tech
32 Burns, Curry S 6-0 203 26 2 Louisville
30 Jones, David CB 6-0 196 21 R Wingate
36 Phillips, Anwar CB 6-0 187 24 1 Penn State
31 Porter, Joe CB 6-0 200 21 R Rutgers
22 Thomas, Fred CB 5-9 185 33 12 Tennessee-Martin*

The players I think are a lock are:

S - Josh Bullocks, Kevin Kaesviharn, Jay Bellamy, and Roman Harper

CB - Jason David, Jason Craft, Usama Young, and Mike McKenzie

* - I put Thomas there because his performance last year puts him on the bubble this year IMO.

a.b.b.f

Any-Body But Fred.

I think Fred makes the team. He certainly got picked on last year and for a lot of us, he was the scapegoat at the end of the season, but you can't blame everything on one player. You knew, I knew and everyone in the stands knew that the Bears were going to go after Fred. If the coaching staff realizes that and don't do anything to stop it, then there is some blame there, too.

Fred has the talent and expirience to be a quality nickle/dime back. IMO, you gotta have a guy like that on the team.

I think Fred is a lock for the team. He's not starting material anymore but he would be a solid nickel back for the team. I want David Jones to make the team because of his athletic abilities and I love rooting for the small school guys. I know some people that really like Chris Reis and I also like Joe Porter's speed... though that probably won't be enough for him to stick.

this spot can be filled by anyone at any position that can play special team

If Reis plays as good as he did in Europe he should be able to take over Gleason's role, maybe even provide some backup at safety. I don't think any of the rest are sure enough tacklers to play special teams as well.

I would also think that Fred Thomas makes the roster over Craft, who has done absolutely nothing since he's been here. Young will get worked into the nickel/dime rotation so he makes the cut. Jones might make the team as a returner, or else he'll probably hit the PS.

I'd like to see David Jones make the squad considering we used a draft pick on him this year. Wasn't he a 5th rounder?

And I've actually always kind of rooted for Anwar Phillips. I saw a couple Penn State games when he was there, and he looked like a really good player. I think the kid's got some talent.

Fred's the odd man out I am afraid. He was burnt toast at CB and was completely lost on many plays. Hell he had to take a pay cut just to make the team last year.

Craft won a game for us this past year, and made some good plays hear and there for us. Craft will make the cut.

Young to start opposite of McKenzie.

I got the impression last year at camp that the coaching staff liked Anwar Phillips. I too, have been rooting for him.

I don't think Fred will be the odd man out. I think the coaching staff likes him, and they're going to be willing to play him in nickel or dime packages.

Oh they like him so much they asked him to take a pay cut in order to make the team... ahhh ok.

They like him enough to ask him to take a pay cut to stay with the team. If they didn't, they would have just straight cut him and move on.

I think the chances to make the team increases for Phillips, Jones, and Reis, Freddie "DOUBLE MOVE" Thomas will have to regain his form from a few years ago to even make the team.

First off Fred Thomas>Jason Craft

tom brady must have had to take a cut to make the team for the patroits a few years ago too

and every1 always trys to pin everything on the cornerback when football is a team game, underneath fred didnt give up much, is over the top, where the saftey is supposed to be providing suport, that fred got "burnt", but there arent that many champ baileys to go around where you can just say "champ cover this guy we'll focus on the other" most corners need support in the passing game, josh bullocks only had 2 int's and 10 ball defences last year, thats not enough from a free saftey, espically when fred thomas kept getting beat over the top, sammy knights used to get more than that and he was a strong safety

Reis is the most talented. He is a Gleason type special teams player. As a bonus he is also a backup long snapper. He snapped for punts while playing in Europe and is currently working with the kicking team before and after regular practice.

Look for McKenzie & Young to be the starting CB's, but watch the kid from Wingate (David Jones). He's got talent. He could possibly play his way into the nickel roll.

First of all, Gleason on IR doesnt necessarily open up a DB spot...he was kept on the team as a special teams player, not a DB.

Secondly, while i am not a fan of Fred Thomas, he is the best bet right now to be the nickel corner...which is a completely different situation than being your number 2 corner.

Thirdly, after my second statement, i will say this...either Thomas or Craft gets the boot and i am pulling for Craft to stay, but if i had to bet, i would say Thomas stays. It will take a major flop in camp for David Jones to make this team.

Fourth, Chris Reis will under no circumstance make the opening day roster...well, barring 3 major injuries to our secondary, he will not make the opening day roster.

Mckenzie, Young, Bullocks, KK, and Harper are the only locks in the secondary. Everyone else is fighting for a job. There are just a few people with better odds than others.

A lot of you guys have Young starting opposite McKenzie at CB. I personally think it's Jason David that will start opposite McKenzie. The Saints definitely didn't pay David all that money to be a backup, and I don't think he sign with the Saints to be a backup either. Young, depending on how he does during training camp will be the backup and nickel CB with Craft, Phillips, and Jones battling for the other backup and dime spots. I really believe by the end of camp, ole "DOUBLE MOVE" Thomas will be the odd man out. Besides, even with the pay cut he agreed to, he's still making to much money for a 4th or 5th CB.

well put

we did not sign David to be a $4 million a year nickel back. Young will be great, but not as a rookie. I follow KSU, and they do not play anybody

and at the end of the day, freddie is a dime back at best, and making way more than Jones, Porter or Phillips. I can't see him or Craft making it

Re: The Open Db Position...
 

It's gonna be MM and Jason David on the corners, with Harper and KK in the safeties (probably with Bullocks rotating). Write it down.

Isn't Usama hurt? Maybe a quad?

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.