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DEFENSIVE END: It’s no secret the Saints would like to generate a better and more consistent pass rush after they had just 33 sacks in 2010 — with 10‰ coming from their defensive ends.

Right end Will Smith remains their best pass rusher, but he had only 5‰ sacks last season. Left end Alex Brown is more known as a run-stopper, so they might look for a young player who can apply pressure to go with Smith.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: The big question mark here is Scott Shanle, a heady and versatile five-year starter who can play either outside position.

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent and the Saints, who lost Scott Fujita in free agency last season, have to cover themselves in case he bolts as well. Jonathan Casillas, who was sidelined with a foot injury last season, will likely man the weak side.

RUNNING BACK: Coach Sean Payton has players to work with, but again, it’s not known what will happen with Reggie Bush and his unwieldy salary.

They’re obviously happy to have re-signed Pierre Thomas, but Chris Ivory, like Bush and Thomas, and Lynell Hamilton missed playing time with injuries — which has to be a concern.

SAFETY: The Saints have only one safety under contract — third-year pro Malcolm Jenkins — so that could be a priority as well even though they would like to get Roman Harper and perhaps 35-year-old Darren Sharper back.

But after that group, they might want to explore bringing in younger options if they don’t re-sign Usama Young.

TACKLE: Jermon Bushrod and Jon Stinchcomb are the starters, but Stinchcomb battled knee and shoulder injuries last season and wasn’t as effective as he has been.

The Saints know tackles don’t grow on trees, so they used a second-round draft pick on Charles Brown last season and may need another one for the future.

Full article below.
MICKLES: Five areas Saints need to explore | Saints | 2theadvocate.com — Baton Rouge, LA

Rugby Saint II

He's wondering if Shanle will bolt.......God I hope he does. They might as well show Usama Young the door and clean house on a few projects that just never quite got it. I know that we are in a win now mode so do we hold on to theses players and hope to fill a larger area of need? I hope that a few of the regular casualties that are sidelined year after year(IR) get their walking papers too.

darstep

Four of the top 5 should be defense and the O-line outweighing the running back spot on offense. Pass rush #1, good motor LB #2, then toss the safety, big cover corner, and O-line for the best player left on the board. This draft will be kind of twisted more so in its affect on FAgency rather than the other way around. At least all the teams are in the same boat.

CantonLegend

if we dont get a D tackle we will be in the same boat as last year

CantonLegend

you must not have been following the browns as closely as you said you were

shaun rogers is a rotational player that needs rest but will help the team

he needs to rotate in and out with another quality player otherwise it doesnt help to have him at all

CantonLegend

pass rush still starts from the inside out

no push up the middle means no sacks from the edge

foreverfan

I want good players with good character with no injury history.