SportingNew - #1 Problem with the Saints

BillyC · 12-09-2003, 08:19 AM

SportingNew - #1 Problem with the Saints
SportingNews senior NFL editor - The number one problem with the New Orleans Saints is player churn. For the last several years, New Orleans has had tremendous player turnover. Whatever the reason, itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s too much turnover, whether itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s the coaches being unhappy with the players or the players themselves deciding they do not want to be there. No other team has anything close to the player churn of the New Orleans Saints

In the past I've tried to defend Haslett for some questionable moves that he has made. But, one thing I know is that if we still had some of the players back, it would have allowed us to address some of the short comings we now have on the team.

First let me say that I know in today's free agent world that teams are going to lose players. But, you can't let all of your Pro Bowl players go and expect to replace them overnight. That is unless you go out in free agency and sign other Pro Bowl players. We all know that hasn't happened.

Also, the reasons we lost the Pro Bowl players is troubling. Willie Roaf was nothing but a true professional when he was here. I don't know exactly what happened to make him leave, but I am familar with the rumors. Then the Kyle Turley situation was another one. Kyle was hot-headed and presented his own set of worries but he was a solid if not unspectacular player. For whatever reason those are 2 quality offensive linemen that are no longer here. Somehow, I think Haslett and Co. could have done something to keep one, if not both of those players.

Then you have Joe Johnson. It now appears like that was a great move because of the injury to Joe Johnson. But, Joe was an Pro Bowl player here and I don't think becuase Joe got hurt is a justifiable reason for cutting the guy. Now they might have had a good reason for cutting him, but never the less, we lost another Pro Bowl player.

The most trobling part of losing those players is that we had to go out in free agency and the draft and address those needs, when we already had Pro Bowl players in those positions. Now 3-years later, we have huge holes in other areas that should have been addressed a long time ago.

The other troubling thing is that some of the players that Haslett signed don't appear to be the answer and it looks like we are going to have to address those positions AGAIN.

I think Haslett has some very good qualities. Maybe getting a proven GM would help him out. Something has to change for better or worse.

[Edited on 9/12/2003 by BillyC]

12-09-2003, 08:19 AM	#1
BillyC Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 842	SportingNew - #1 Problem with the Saints SportingNew - #1 Problem with the Saints SportingNews senior NFL editor - The number one problem with the New Orleans Saints is player churn. For the last several years, New Orleans has had tremendous player turnover. Whatever the reason, itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s too much turnover, whether itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s the coaches being unhappy with the players or the players themselves deciding they do not want to be there. No other team has anything close to the player churn of the New Orleans Saints In the past I've tried to defend Haslett for some questionable moves that he has made. But, one thing I know is that if we still had some of the players back, it would have allowed us to address some of the short comings we now have on the team. First let me say that I know in today's free agent world that teams are going to lose players. But, you can't let all of your Pro Bowl players go and expect to replace them overnight. That is unless you go out in free agency and sign other Pro Bowl players. We all know that hasn't happened. Also, the reasons we lost the Pro Bowl players is troubling. Willie Roaf was nothing but a true professional when he was here. I don't know exactly what happened to make him leave, but I am familar with the rumors. Then the Kyle Turley situation was another one. Kyle was hot-headed and presented his own set of worries but he was a solid if not unspectacular player. For whatever reason those are 2 quality offensive linemen that are no longer here. Somehow, I think Haslett and Co. could have done something to keep one, if not both of those players. Then you have Joe Johnson. It now appears like that was a great move because of the injury to Joe Johnson. But, Joe was an Pro Bowl player here and I don't think becuase Joe got hurt is a justifiable reason for cutting the guy. Now they might have had a good reason for cutting him, but never the less, we lost another Pro Bowl player. The most trobling part of losing those players is that we had to go out in free agency and the draft and address those needs, when we already had Pro Bowl players in those positions. Now 3-years later, we have huge holes in other areas that should have been addressed a long time ago. The other troubling thing is that some of the players that Haslett signed don't appear to be the answer and it looks like we are going to have to address those positions AGAIN. I think Haslett has some very good qualities. Maybe getting a proven GM would help him out. Something has to change for better or worse. [Edited on 9/12/2003 by BillyC]
BillyC Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 842