Players Saints looking at

TheDeuce · 01-25-2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by iceshack149

If the Saints keep Eric Johnson at TE they'll ne fine. And a healthy Mark Campbell is a benefactor for this offense. Billy Miller has proved to be a good fill in guy too. Tight end is fine. Focus on the defense.

The Saints are fine at RB too. I'd hate to beat a dead horse so I'll simply list the RB's and leave the RB topic alone. Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas, Jamaal Branch, Mike Karney. Shoot, Kevin Dudley impressed the heck out of me in the 2007 pre-season. The offense backfield for the Saints is very good. Focus on the defense.

The WR position is fine also. I'm eager to see what Meachem can do for the Saints this year. Bring Patten and a healthy Copper back and get rid of Henderson! This isn't a great WR group but the Saints must focus on the defense.

I might be alone here, but I would be happy if we didn't get another TE this offseason and gave the job, full-time, over to Billy Miller. The guy was phenomenal this season. He averaged 12 yards a catch, and was very sure handed. In many games he made big catches that kept drives going, and he also proved to be a big play guy. Eric "Oops" Johnson was very unimpressive, and I hope not to see him again. Maybe if we used a later round pick on a tight end, maybe a guy who would be a "project", that could work nicely. But if this guy had more chances to catch the ball, I think he could be a huge weapon. He averaged more yards per reception than Alge Crumpler, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzales. The only problem was that he didn't get to start until late in the season after EJ blew two games for us.

msmith · 01-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by TheDeuce

I might be alone here, but I would be happy if we didn't get another TE this offseason and gave the job, full-time, over to Billy Miller. The guy was phenomenal this season. He averaged 12 yards a catch, and was very sure handed. In many games he made big catches that kept drives going, and he also proved to be a big play guy. Eric "Oops" Johnson was very unimpressive, and I hope not to see him again. Maybe if we used a later round pick on a tight end, maybe a guy who would be a "project", that could work nicely. But if this guy had more chances to catch the ball, I think he could be a huge weapon. He averaged more yards per reception than Alge Crumpler, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzales. The only problem was that he didn't get to start until late in the season after EJ blew two games for us.

Early on in the season I was very hopeful about Johnson, and he did make some nice plays... but down the stretch I'd have to agree with you.

On more than one occasion I had to wonder if Miller would've succeeded on certain plays that Johnson flubbed...

Also, Miller's enthusiasm and dedication seemed to shine through on the occasional interview that would be shown on the news.

I'm just glad that we seem to have a TE that has produced, and stayed healthy (knocking furiously on wood). Over the years, it always seemed to me that we'd have more turnaround @ the TE position than any other.

The only negative that I've really heard about Miller is his blocking ability... I don't know details, but I was told that he was primarily a WR in college and that he still had much to learn concerning run/pass-blocking and blitz pickups.

With that said, he seems like he's motivated, gifted athletically, and willing to do what it takes to win. I haven't focused on any games to spot any deficiencies, but if he is truly lacking in the blocking game then I hope he'll continue to grow in that aspect.

TheDeuce · 01-25-2008, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the input, I didn't realize that was a knock on Miller. But as far as pass catching goes, I couldn't be happier with his play the second half of the season.

01-25-2008, 12:10 PM	#1
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Re: Players Saints looking at Originally Posted by iceshack149 If the Saints keep Eric Johnson at TE they'll ne fine. And a healthy Mark Campbell is a benefactor for this offense. Billy Miller has proved to be a good fill in guy too. Tight end is fine. Focus on the defense. The Saints are fine at RB too. I'd hate to beat a dead horse so I'll simply list the RB's and leave the RB topic alone. Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas, Jamaal Branch, Mike Karney. Shoot, Kevin Dudley impressed the heck out of me in the 2007 pre-season. The offense backfield for the Saints is very good. Focus on the defense. The WR position is fine also. I'm eager to see what Meachem can do for the Saints this year. Bring Patten and a healthy Copper back and get rid of Henderson! This isn't a great WR group but the Saints must focus on the defense. I might be alone here, but I would be happy if we didn't get another TE this offseason and gave the job, full-time, over to Billy Miller. The guy was phenomenal this season. He averaged 12 yards a catch, and was very sure handed. In many games he made big catches that kept drives going, and he also proved to be a big play guy. Eric "Oops" Johnson was very unimpressive, and I hope not to see him again. Maybe if we used a later round pick on a tight end, maybe a guy who would be a "project", that could work nicely. But if this guy had more chances to catch the ball, I think he could be a huge weapon. He averaged more yards per reception than Alge Crumpler, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzales. The only problem was that he didn't get to start until late in the season after EJ blew two games for us.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

01-25-2008, 12:24 PM	#2
msmith Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17	Re: Players Saints looking at Originally Posted by TheDeuce I might be alone here, but I would be happy if we didn't get another TE this offseason and gave the job, full-time, over to Billy Miller. The guy was phenomenal this season. He averaged 12 yards a catch, and was very sure handed. In many games he made big catches that kept drives going, and he also proved to be a big play guy. Eric "Oops" Johnson was very unimpressive, and I hope not to see him again. Maybe if we used a later round pick on a tight end, maybe a guy who would be a "project", that could work nicely. But if this guy had more chances to catch the ball, I think he could be a huge weapon. He averaged more yards per reception than Alge Crumpler, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzales. The only problem was that he didn't get to start until late in the season after EJ blew two games for us. Early on in the season I was very hopeful about Johnson, and he did make some nice plays... but down the stretch I'd have to agree with you. On more than one occasion I had to wonder if Miller would've succeeded on certain plays that Johnson flubbed... Also, Miller's enthusiasm and dedication seemed to shine through on the occasional interview that would be shown on the news. I'm just glad that we seem to have a TE that has produced, and stayed healthy (knocking furiously on wood). Over the years, it always seemed to me that we'd have more turnaround @ the TE position than any other. The only negative that I've really heard about Miller is his blocking ability... I don't know details, but I was told that he was primarily a WR in college and that he still had much to learn concerning run/pass-blocking and blitz pickups. With that said, he seems like he's motivated, gifted athletically, and willing to do what it takes to win. I haven't focused on any games to spot any deficiencies, but if he is truly lacking in the blocking game then I hope he'll continue to grow in that aspect.
msmith Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17

01-25-2008, 12:52 PM	#3
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Re: Players Saints looking at Thanks for the input, I didn't realize that was a knock on Miller. But as far as pass catching goes, I couldn't be happier with his play the second half of the season.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928