Saints team report

saintz08 · 02-02-2004, 12:32 PM

Saints Team Report

The team would like to sign a free-agent corner, but the biggest names--Chris McAlister, Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson--aren't expected to reach the market. The team might have to target a second-tier player such as Antoine Winfield or Fernando Bryant. But Winfield (5-9) lacks size, and Bryant is not a strong run defender. The team might use one of its four draft picks in the first three rounds to take a wide receiver. The club isn't happy with Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth or Jerome Pathon.

On-the-job training

The team is sending two promising younger players to NFL Europe for seasoning. WR Derrick Lewis and QB J.T. O'Sullivan need playing time, but both are good prospects. Lewis has tremendous hands and acceleration in and out of his cuts but lacks the power and strength to beat defenders at the line of scrimmage. Coach Jim Haslett wants to see him become more physical. If he can improve in that area, he could win the No. 4 receiver spot. O'Sullivan hasn't played a down since being drafted in 2002. Coaches love his intelligence, mobility and knowledge of the offense. They hope NFL Europe will accelerate his development and boost his confidence.

http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2106922

DomeFoam · 02-02-2004, 12:58 PM

Defensive back field and LB\'s are a must for this season. If I look at the team as a whole over the past few years, even with Randy Meuller at the helm, the team just has not been doing what it needed to do to beef up the defense. I know this is hind site but dropping L\'Roy Glover and Sammy Knight turned out to be big mistakes.

But I ask myself would they have played to their capabilities here? Sometimes players are traded away and they thrive in a new environment. Norman Hand was ok at the Chargers, came to the Saints and became a star. Now they trade him and he\'s career appears to be back on track in Seattle. He\'s lost a ton of weight. Same thing with Joe Horn.

BlackandBlue · 02-02-2004, 01:03 PM

Depends on the system. Mark Fields did good for us, didn\'t do well at all with the Rams, and was able to have his best years with the Panthers. If the players don\'t fit, you must acquit.

DomeFoam · 02-02-2004, 01:44 PM

Great observation BandB, forgot to add that also.

Some players don\'t fit in the systems at some teams and thrive at others. I also think getting the boot wakes them up and they realize they have a second chance to perform. I think Hand had that happen at the Saints, where he was not being utilized in San Diego, but became one of Haslett\'s boys here in New Orleans. Didn\'t think about it like that though.

02-02-2004, 12:32 PM	#1
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Saints team report Saints Team Report The team would like to sign a free-agent corner, but the biggest names--Chris McAlister, Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson--aren't expected to reach the market. The team might have to target a second-tier player such as Antoine Winfield or Fernando Bryant. But Winfield (5-9) lacks size, and Bryant is not a strong run defender. The team might use one of its four draft picks in the first three rounds to take a wide receiver. The club isn't happy with Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth or Jerome Pathon. On-the-job training The team is sending two promising younger players to NFL Europe for seasoning. WR Derrick Lewis and QB J.T. O'Sullivan need playing time, but both are good prospects. Lewis has tremendous hands and acceleration in and out of his cuts but lacks the power and strength to beat defenders at the line of scrimmage. Coach Jim Haslett wants to see him become more physical. If he can improve in that area, he could win the No. 4 receiver spot. O'Sullivan hasn't played a down since being drafted in 2002. Coaches love his intelligence, mobility and knowledge of the offense. They hope NFL Europe will accelerate his development and boost his confidence. http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2106922
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020

02-02-2004, 12:58 PM	#2
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62	Saints team report Defensive back field and LB\'s are a must for this season. If I look at the team as a whole over the past few years, even with Randy Meuller at the helm, the team just has not been doing what it needed to do to beef up the defense. I know this is hind site but dropping L\'Roy Glover and Sammy Knight turned out to be big mistakes. But I ask myself would they have played to their capabilities here? Sometimes players are traded away and they thrive in a new environment. Norman Hand was ok at the Chargers, came to the Saints and became a star. Now they trade him and he\'s career appears to be back on track in Seattle. He\'s lost a ton of weight. Same thing with Joe Horn.
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62	Tap the DOME! New FORUM OH YEAH!

02-02-2004, 01:03 PM	#3
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	Saints team report Depends on the system. Mark Fields did good for us, didn\'t do well at all with the Rams, and was able to have his best years with the Panthers. If the players don\'t fit, you must acquit.

02-02-2004, 01:44 PM	#4
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62	Saints team report Great observation BandB, forgot to add that also. Some players don\'t fit in the systems at some teams and thrive at others. I also think getting the boot wakes them up and they realize they have a second chance to perform. I think Hand had that happen at the Saints, where he was not being utilized in San Diego, but became one of Haslett\'s boys here in New Orleans. Didn\'t think about it like that though.
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62

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