$30 million mistake?
 

Gay will have to learn from, not repeat CB David's mistakes

The Saints have made three additions to their defense since the free-agent signing period began Feb. 29, trading for Jets MLB Jonathan Vilma and signing a pair of unrestricted free agents — Patriots CB Randall Gay and Jaguars DE Bobby McCray. The addition of Gay has been viewed as a crucial move while New Orleans attempts to upgrade its 30th-ranked pass defense and he will likely bump Jason David from a starting CB spot to nickel back. David struggled mightily last season, his first with the Saints, playing in their man-to-man scheme after becoming accustomed to the comfort of the Colts’ cover-2 system. However, some wonder whether Gay, who played mostly zone in New England, will have a similar experience to that of David’s in his first season with the Saints. If Gay and David, whose contracts combine to be worth more than $30 million, cannot make a smooth adjustment in the Big Easy, the Saints will have a pair of pricey mistakes on their hands.

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Re: $30 million mistake?
 

It sure does seem that way.

I thin I'm gonna get ssiicc:puke:

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

with 2 cornerbacks that fit a "zone " system,good coaching suggests you adapt your defence to the platers.indy got to a super win with a cover 2 def.,why couldn't we.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

You do realize your talking about the Saints, right?

God love 'em, but when have they done something that made sense.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Nope. I see #1 as Young, Gay at #2 and #3 going to David as the roster stands today. Both David and Gay get the S and LB help they need and well Young is on the Island. He is the fastest we got.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

hagan, I agree with your assessment...with the cavet as the roster stands today. However, as we get closer to cut down day...I can see a few CB's that will give the Saints choices. Not to mention, draft day(s).

What I am curious about is TE? Is Troupe in the mix...he is only a cut above what we had last year in Eric J (albeit Troupe is a bit healthier).

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

I refuse to buy into any negativity. I refuse to buy into any negativity. I refuse to buy into any negativity.

(And the first person to say that it's not negativity but REALITY gets a swift pop on their rear end!)

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Every free agent that anyone picks up is a possible mistake. Thats just common knowledge. No one knows how players are gonna turn out in a certain system, but you put yourself in a position to improve and thats what we did.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Accepted. However, I wonder if the new DB coach will change up the "system". The Saints now have two corners that come from teams that play a lot of zone schemes...and the Saints "have" played man coverage in the past.

The Saints safety play has to change!

BTW; I don't think MM will be available during 2008.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

I can answer that question... DB coach has very little to do with the changing of the system. All I know if he can't coach up our damn S and FS's we are still going to suck like last year. Those guys have got to play their assinments which FAILED horrible.

I don't recall seeing a whole lot of people calling these guys out so far but that was very much a huge problem. Rush maybe able to hide there crappyness though.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

what u guys fail to realize is that gay played at LSU while saban was there and the during that time period the tigers played nothing but man to man high blitz schemes leaving the corners on an island.. gay knows how to play man to man.. im not worried about it at all...

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Euphoria, I think with the new DB coach a$$ on the line, along with Gibbs, that his input to the DC would be heard. Trying to do the same as in 2007 would be insanity. I have heard on more than one occasion that the Saints are happy with Harper and Bullocks...not me saying this but the organization, tells me they believe something has to change with the system or scheme.

They have to evaluate the talent they have acquired and must adjust the scheme to the talent. Not the other way around. That did not work in 2007 with David!

Good front 7 pressure will mask most ineptness with the DB/S. IMHO

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

I agree. We've had some threads about this in the past, though not that many people have ben involved in them. But I know of at least one thread where I was calling out the FS play (or lack thereof), and I believe it was Hagan that was piping in with agreement. It might've been someone else though. Regardless, there's been at least one thread about it.

In my opinion, FS (Bullocks) is the weakest position on this entire defense, followed very closely by LB (Shanle). Only after them would I list CB and DT as weak points. MLB would've been in that list too, but we've got Vilma now. And CB would have been higher, but now that Gay is in the mix, I feel a little better (only a little). Anyway, I think Bullocks has got to be replaced (highest priority).

You know, I only feel good about ONE position on this D, and that's defensive end.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

i havent liked bullocks for about 2 years now.. he is just horrible in pass coverage and love to bite on playaction which leaves our CBs open deep when they are playing a soft coverage

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

How does KK fit into the future of this team?

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

they have not cut him so I guess so.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

..beat me to the punch...

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Were there any CB free agents that fit our scheme. I can't think of any that came from a man to man defense. Maybe Florence.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Ahhh, Pak....what you fail to realize is that Randall "Gots to Be" Gay got beat alot in man to man at LSU. Remember? I do...I cursed Gay more than any other CB in LSU history. I think this was another feeble & cheap (w/ respect to elite CB money) attempt at correcting our dilemna at CB. It's the same thing as the Jason David scenario.....You take a nickel corner off a zone coverage secondary from a team with a heck of a pass rush, send him to a team whose pass rush has been mediocre at best, & you expect him to start while playing man to man? Something about this says "catastrophe."

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

There weren't really any in free agency. However, there are teams shopping some good ones for trade.....DeAngelo Hall.....Lito Sheppard. Hello, Loomis!!!!

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

Look gay will not be sitting out on the island all game long. Do not plug him in at the #1. But at #2 he will be fine. M&M just got some big time comp. If we do not get a number 1 CB this year he will at least do better than David who belongs at the #3 in the slot. There is only one way to go and thats up from last year and Gay is a step in the right direction.

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

As Andersen said, where does KK sit in the mix? The play of our safeties and LB's has been crucial to the success (or lack thereof) of our secondary. From several timezones away, and with limited coverage, I got the feeling that when he played, he was a definite upgrade. Yeah he hasn't been cut but will he get the playing time he probably deserves?

Re: $30 million mistake?
 

I am really not sold on Gay being the #2 corner. I think he will have a shot, but I really think (and hope) the coaching staff has learned about the mistake they made with David. I still think they need to address CB with a high draft pick. Gay is probably not the answer to the CB question, but as stated in an earlier post, he is at least some help. He did pretty well in spot duty for the Pats, but he is really untested. CB and DT need to be addressed first in the draft.