Look, you eval the best player available...

We've a great coach and coaching staff that unlike the Mora Years, they will devise the best scheme around the talent we have...

And not lament that we don't have a two-gap defensive end that can provide pass coverage and kick extra points...

But we've got to draft talent that loves the game (i.e. Hughes)...

That's all I am saying, my brothers...

We probably should shelve this debate until the draft. When Cody is available to us at 32 and we pass on his fat non pass rushing ass and pick a traditional 4-3 DT or a traditional pass rushing DE I will come back and say I told you so, and then you can ignore the post. Until then, keep thinking your right.

as great as BPA sounds, it just isnt the case more often than not

teams draft based on need and they draft the best player available at a position that they need.....thats not drafting on BPA, thats drafting by need no matter how you swing it

im not against drafting a DE/OLB hybrid but that would mean we are still weak inside which is, IMO, our biggest weakness

id rather draft a pure DE and have him be able to play both 4-3 and 3-4 for us

there are a couple good DEs and DTs coming out this year and i hope we dont miss out on one of them

this is one of the best draft classes in years and it only helps that its strongest positions are the same positions that we need

There is no such thing as a pure BPA draft method. If Jimmy Clausen falls to 32, no we should not taking him. But I think by BPA, you are looking, as you said, for the best player available than would be an upgrade. On the flip side, if Dez Bryant magically falls to 32, do you draft him? I say hell yeah. Do we need another receiever? No, but the value of that player at the spot we draft is too great not to take him and he would be an upgrade. I think this is how the Saints will approach the draft. They will be thinking defensive front 7, but if someone falls and even though the player is not at a "need" position, would be an upgrade, then they draft him.

Im a little confused when you say pure DE. I see the D line divided into a few groups: conventional 4-3 end, conventional 4-3 DTs, 3-4 rush LBs, 3-4 ends, and NT. Everson Griffen would be someone I consider a conventional 4-3 end. Brian Price a conventional 4-3 tackle. Brandon Graham a 3-4 rush LB. Jared Odrick a 3-4 end. Terrence Cody a NT. I feel a Carlos Dunlap could play a 4-3 end or a 3-4 end. Suh and McCoy could play a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 end. Dan Williams as a 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 NT. Can someone explain to me the differences between a 3 technique tackle, 2 gap tackle, 4-3 under tackle? This is where I get lost.

My perspective in picking at 32 is that you are not likely to get an every down starter as a rookie. You are going to get a situational player who may down the line develop into an every down starter. Now certainly the Saints have done a fantastic job of scouting recently, but I would be content with Cody drafted to shore up the run defense with Hargrove mixing in and playing all of the passing situation downs. I do see Cody as being able to thrive more and play a more prominent role in a 3-4 defense, but again, I go back to my last post where I dont really understand the difference between a 3 technique tackle, 2 gap tackle, and 4-3 under tackle.