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Welcome to the weekend edition of the Saints mailbag. This file is particular long, with discussion topics on Charles Grant, the Saints running back corps, the offensive tackle position and possible trade options.
I'll have mailbag files daily in the upcoming weeks so check back here each morning.
Now on to the Q&A:
Q: What do you think will happen to Charles Grant? I'm a big supporter of guys who are on our team but Grant hasn't showed up since signing for big money. Could a trade be possible or release? Also, do we keep Lance Moore? I'm still amazed by the two-point conversion. Alex, Houston.
A: I'll be surprised if Charles Grant is the starting left end on the Saints defense next season. His lack of production and inability to stay healthy are major concerns at this stage of his career. His salary cap figure of $7.6 million is not exorbitant in 2010 but it jumps to $13.3 in 2011 so if he does hang around another year I think it would be as a backup or role player. I expect the Saints to select a defensive end high in the draft, perhaps in the first round. If so, that could spell the end for Grant in New Orleans. He'll most likely be cut because he has absolutely zero trade potential. His contract is too high and production too low. Besides every team in the league knows the Saints are likely to release him so why would they invest a draft pick in his services when they can get him free on the open market? Makes no sense. But the club won't do anything with Grant until they have a replacement on board. I guess Grant could possibly re-structure his deal and stay on as a situational run-down player but I think that's unlikely. The club has offered a second-rounder tender to Moore. He's valuable weapon in their offense and is a favorite of Drew Brees. I don't see him going anywhere unless another team falls in love with him and offers the Saints a deal. Then I think the Saints could strongly consider moving him because of the depth of their receiving corps doesn't leave many snaps for Moore as is. However, that's an unlikely scenario. I expect Moore to play in New Orleans next season.
Q: Given the Saints inability on third-and-short yardage situation, what's the likelihood of adding a powerful between-the-tackle runner to their current group of four backs? And second, the run defense was pretty bad all season long. What's your crystal ball see on this? Fixing it with draft or free agency? Mark Wang, San Ramon, Calif.
A: Mark, the Saints have a big, power back in Lynell Hamilton. I think you'll see his role increase next year. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he won the job. The Saints like their running backs a lot. Sean Payton told The Times-Picayune's Mike Triplett that himself a few days ago. So, as is, I think the Saints are set in the backfield. Besides, I've had conversations with Payton about short yardage before and he doesn't believe the size of the back is as important as their explosiveness and decisiveness. I agree with him. The failures in short yardage situations should be attributed more to scheme and blocking than to the running back. The run defense will improve as the Saints improve the talent level of their front seven. It wouldn't surprise me if their first two draft picks were for players along the defensive line and at linebacker. It's an area they haven't addressed much in the draft in recent years, at least with high picks. I expect that to change in April.
Q: What can Jermon Bushrod do to get better against the bull rush? Why are the Saints considered one of the oldest team in the NFL? Tony Menifee, Calif.
A: Bushrod is still a developing player. He was thrust into the starting role last season somewhat abruptly and fared better than anyone expected. He obviously needs to improve his technique against the bull rush and I'm sure Saints coaches will work with him in that area during the offseason. In addition to improving his technique, he could also increase his lower body strength. A strong base is critical against the bull rush and Bushrod is still developing in that area. The Saints are considered one of the oldest teams in the NFL because, well, they are one of the oldest teams in the NFL. Before the regular season, they were the second oldest team in the NFL, with an average age of 27.0 years. (And that number increased for awhile after they added John Carney to the mix.) New England (27.3) was the oldest team. The Colts and Packers had the youngest rosters at 25.5. The Saints' numbers are skewed by backup quarterback Mark Brunell (39) and 37-year-old long snapper Jason Kyle. There's also a deep group of 30-somethings: Darren Sharper (34); Paul Spicer, 34; Dan Campbell (33); Darnell Dinkins (32); and Pierson Prioleau (32).
Q: Do you see Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle both as starters at linebacker next season, or is it possible that Stanley Arnoux could step up to fill one of these slots? Bryan Beam, Lake Charles, La.
A: I thought Fujita and Shanle enjoyed their best seasons as Saints last year. I don't see them losing their starting roles but I could see a young player in the draft supplanting them in certain situations. Gregg Williams blitzed his linebackers are an awful lot this season and the grand total of sacks from those players was three. Jon Vilma had two and Fujita one. I could definitely see the team using a high pick on a hybrid end-linebacker type with skills to be a pass-rush specialist. Remember, Charlie Clemons? A player with his skills would be an ideal fit for Williams' scheme in passing situations. The jury is still out on Arnoux. We never got to see him play in practice and he's coming off a major injury. I think it's asking an awful lot to expect him to come in off such a serious injury in what amounts to his rookie season and beat out a veteran player like Shanle or Fujita. If I were going to point to a young linebacker to watch it would be Jon Casillas. The staff is high on him.
Q: During games this season, did Sean Payton have any input into defensive play calling, or was it entirely Gregg Williams? Tom, Orlando, Fla.
A: Payton would offer his advice when he felt it was needed or helpful but for the most part he allowed Williams to run the defense autonomously. He might see something personnel-wise that the Saints can take advantage of and lend his input, but he's certainly not calling plays over there. Because he's the offensive coordinator, too, Payton spends the bulk of his work week breaking down the opposing defense. He doesn't have much time to look at the tape of the opponent's offense. So it just makes sense for him to let Williams and his veteran staff handle that side of the ball. Williams, Joe Vitt and Bill Johnson have been around the block long enough to know what they're doing.
Q: My question is about trades. We don't see them happen that often these days. What are the chances we see a trade from the Saints this year, whether it be one of our three left tackles, Charles Grant, Reggie Bush, Mike Bell, or anyone else? Russ, Wake Forest, N.C.
A: Trades don't happen very often in this league but the Saints have shown over the years they'll swing a deal if it makes sense (See: Vilma, Shockey). I could see them moving one of their tackles because it's such a position of strength right now, with four solid starting-caliber players. Jammal Brown is probably the most talented tackle they have but he's also the most injury-prone and costly. That's a recipe for trade bait, especially when there are so many teams in the league desperate for left tackle help. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Saints move him, even for something less than the first- and third-round tender compensation. Jason Peters went to the Eagles last year for a first-rounder (No. 28 overall) and two lower round picks, a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder in 2010. I think the Saints would strongly consider a similar offer, even though they value Brown's ability. As far as the rest of the roster is concerned, the Saints don't have much to offer other than potentially a wide receiver like Lance Moore. No one is going to trade for Charles Grant. His contract is kryptonite. And Payton has already said Bush isn't going anywhere.
Q: We had quite a few guys out on IR last year so I expect those guys to come back healthy. Who has the best chance of stepping in and having an immediate impact other than our All-Pro left tackle? Who's the real sleeper that everybody's forgotten about and will any of them miss OTA's? Rodney Francis, Grenada, Miss.
A: The top two candidates are probably Rod Harper and Chip Vaughn. Harper impressed the staff with his return skills and playmaking ability at receiver last season. The former Arena League star is raw but has ability. Vaughn is a big-time athlete who could excel on special teams. The Saints could use some fresh legs on their coverage teams and Vaughn has the size and speed to be an excellent special teams player. One of the guys I'm intrigued by is tight end Tyler Lorenzen from the practice squad. Lorenzen played quarterback at Connecticut but has nice size (6-5, 230) and looks like a very good athlete. I think he could be a developmental type at the position. I look forward to seeing him in exhibition games next year.
Q: Do you know if the NFL plans to release the game on DVD? I have searched on the net and have not been able to find anything info. Sandy, Austin, Texas.
A: Sandy, NFL Films will release its annual Super Bowl championship DVD, "Super Bowl XLIV Champions: New Orleans Saints" on March 9. It's not the entire game broadcast but its traditional compilation of game footage, sound bites and commentary. The game can not be re-broadcast without the approval of CBS, which owns the broadcast rights to the game.

New Orleans Saints mailbag: Has Charles Grant played his last down as a Saint? | - NOLA.com

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