2012 New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

FinSaint · 02-24-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by blackangold

I have not watched Woodyard play the position and his stats aren't all that impressive. I realize stats don't mean everything. Casillas has shown, when healthy, that he can play the position very well. Casillas has the speed needed at WLB plays the run decently, has the best cover skills of our LBs and can rush the passer well. Casillas>Woodyard (although I have not seen Woodyard play)

Let me tell you that Woodyard is a better LB than Casillas and the Saints would be lucky to have him.

Woodyard is a really good tackler, has very good closing speed, and is excellent in coverage. But I think that he is a natural MLB rather than a WLB, but Broncos used him more like a WLB, so it shouldn't be a problem.

He would be a huuuuuuuuuuge upgrade over Shanle, and a huge upgrade over Casillas, who has had his problems with injuries. BTW, Casillas is a RFA, so there's not a 100% certainty that he'll even be with the Saints next season - if the Saints/Spags should for some reason decide that he doesn't fit into what they want to do going forward.

blackangold · 02-24-2012, 03:15 PM

Ill take your word for Woodyard.. So I won't mind him at the wlb, however I would not be upset to see casillas there.

Rugby Saint II · 02-24-2012, 03:17 PM

Of all the younger players returning I am most excited about Wilson. He was really looking good and has huge upside. Dunbar just doesn't look right to me. Maybe it's just.....aw heck I don't know what it is. We are about to go from being one of the oldest teams in the NFL to one of the youngest. Kasay can sway that stat if he stays.
I know one thing we miss Darren Sharper badly and we need veteran leaders who know the game. That's one of the reasons I want to keep Vilma.

FinSaint · 02-24-2012, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Of all the younger players returning I am most excited about Wilson. He was really looking good and has huge upside. Dunbar just doesn't look right to me. Maybe it's just.....aw heck I don't know what it is. We are about to go from being one of the oldest teams in the NFL to one of the youngest. Kasay can sway that stat if he stays.
I know one thing we miss Darren Sharper badly and we need veteran leaders who know the game. That's one of the reasons I want to keep Vilma.

Couldn't have said it better myself, and I totally agree with your feelings on Dunbar - he'd be ok as a depth guy, but he's not a starter at MLB in my opinion.

If he goes into the FA pool, there's no way some team is going to sign him to be their starting MLB, so why would the Saints settle for that?

jeanpierre · 02-24-2012, 08:21 PM

Jo-Lonn outplayed, albeit an injured Vilma...I think he just needs a chance to get some reps with live bullets...

jeanpierre · 02-27-2012, 07:02 AM

DLP has been another great surprise, but we're getting thin on the OL and that will need to be addressed in the draft as Free Agency is murky at best right about now...

If Nicks leaves, we're gonna see how much a drop Strief has been...

Danno · 02-27-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

DLP has been another great surprise, but we're getting thin on the OL and that will need to be addressed in the draft as Free Agency is murky at best right about now...

If Nicks leaves, we're gonna see how much a drop Strief has been...

And we'll see how mediocre or worse Bushrod is.

jeanpierre · 02-27-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

And we'll see how mediocre or worse Bushrod is.

It is truly tough to gauge how much of it is the OL and how much is Drew's ability to read and release quickly...

But running behind Nicks would surely be missed; but that's alot of money to commit to the guards...

FinSaint · 02-27-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

It is truly tough to gauge how much of it is the OL and how much is Drew's ability to read and release quickly...

But running behind Nicks would surely be missed; but that's alot of money to commit to the guards...

As long as they keep Nicks' cap hits low for the coming season and for 2013, they should be able to afford the pair of them without having to go to extremes in saving money on other positions.

Evans' cap hit for 2012 is ~$4.7M, but in 2013 it'll be ~$8.9M, but after that the cap increase should make their combined cap hits sustainable.

And we have to remember that Bushrod's 2012 cap hit of $6.75M will come of the books in 2013, so that would decrease the effect of Evans' cap hit in 2013, if they were to replace Bushrod with a more affordable LT.

All I'm saying is that they can keep both Nicks and Evans if they so desire, but none of us really know if that is what they want.

jeanpierre · 02-29-2012, 07:10 AM

This from Walter Football...

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Season Summary:
The Saints should play all of their postseason games at home next time. Their previous two seasons have concluded with a trip to the NFC West champion, so it's becoming clear that they won't be able to reach the Super Bowl again unless they secure homefield advantage.

Offseason Moves:

Offseason Needs:

Two Outside Linebackers: New Orleans' linebacker play is a joke. Aside from Jonathan Vilma, everyone must go. Unfortunately, the team doesn't have a first-round pick to fix this problem (Zach Brown would be a great addition).

Defensive Tackle: Only one Saint defensive lineman had more than four sacks. In a division with Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, this needs to change. An interior pass-rusher is needed.

Wide Receiver: Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are free agents. Colston already told the media that he won't be taking a hometown discount to stay in New Orleans.

Left Guard: Carl Nicks is a free agent. Because the Saints have to franchise Drew Brees, they won't be able to tag Nicks, meaning he'll be able to test the market.

Strong Safety: Roman Harper is constantly abused in coverage. This has to stop at some point.

Interior Offensive Line Depth: The Saints are a bit thin here.

02-24-2012, 01:22 PM	#1
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,964	Originally Posted by blackangold I have not watched Woodyard play the position and his stats aren't all that impressive. I realize stats don't mean everything. Casillas has shown, when healthy, that he can play the position very well. Casillas has the speed needed at WLB plays the run decently, has the best cover skills of our LBs and can rush the passer well. Casillas>Woodyard (although I have not seen Woodyard play) Let me tell you that Woodyard is a better LB than Casillas and the Saints would be lucky to have him. Woodyard is a really good tackler, has very good closing speed, and is excellent in coverage. But I think that he is a natural MLB rather than a WLB, but Broncos used him more like a WLB, so it shouldn't be a problem. He would be a huuuuuuuuuuge upgrade over Shanle, and a huge upgrade over Casillas, who has had his problems with injuries. BTW, Casillas is a RFA, so there's not a 100% certainty that he'll even be with the Saints next season - if the Saints/Spags should for some reason decide that he doesn't fit into what they want to do going forward.
	"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

02-24-2012, 03:17 PM	#3
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,200	Of all the younger players returning I am most excited about Wilson. He was really looking good and has huge upside. Dunbar just doesn't look right to me. Maybe it's just.....aw heck I don't know what it is. We are about to go from being one of the oldest teams in the NFL to one of the youngest. Kasay can sway that stat if he stays. I know one thing we miss Darren Sharper badly and we need veteran leaders who know the game. That's one of the reasons I want to keep Vilma. FinSaint likes this.

02-24-2012, 03:45 PM	#4
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,964	Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Of all the younger players returning I am most excited about Wilson. He was really looking good and has huge upside. Dunbar just doesn't look right to me. Maybe it's just.....aw heck I don't know what it is. We are about to go from being one of the oldest teams in the NFL to one of the youngest. Kasay can sway that stat if he stays. I know one thing we miss Darren Sharper badly and we need veteran leaders who know the game. That's one of the reasons I want to keep Vilma. Couldn't have said it better myself, and I totally agree with your feelings on Dunbar - he'd be ok as a depth guy, but he's not a starter at MLB in my opinion. If he goes into the FA pool, there's no way some team is going to sign him to be their starting MLB, so why would the Saints settle for that?

02-27-2012, 07:02 AM	#6
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	DLP has been another great surprise, but we're getting thin on the OL and that will need to be addressed in the draft as Free Agency is murky at best right about now... If Nicks leaves, we're gonna see how much a drop Strief has been... Danno likes this.
	Last edited by jeanpierre; 02-27-2012 at 07:15 AM..

02-27-2012, 07:54 AM	#7
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,758	Originally Posted by jeanpierre DLP has been another great surprise, but we're getting thin on the OL and that will need to be addressed in the draft as Free Agency is murky at best right about now... If Nicks leaves, we're gonna see how much a drop Strief has been... And we'll see how mediocre or worse Bushrod is.

02-24-2012, 03:15 PM	#2
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Ill take your word for Woodyard.. So I won't mind him at the wlb, however I would not be upset to see casillas there.

02-24-2012, 08:21 PM	#5
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Jo-Lonn outplayed, albeit an injured Vilma...I think he just needs a chance to get some reps with live bullets...

02-27-2012, 04:08 PM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Originally Posted by Danno And we'll see how mediocre or worse Bushrod is. It is truly tough to gauge how much of it is the OL and how much is Drew's ability to read and release quickly... But running behind Nicks would surely be missed; but that's alot of money to commit to the guards...

02-27-2012, 04:33 PM	#9
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,964	Originally Posted by jeanpierre It is truly tough to gauge how much of it is the OL and how much is Drew's ability to read and release quickly... But running behind Nicks would surely be missed; but that's alot of money to commit to the guards... As long as they keep Nicks' cap hits low for the coming season and for 2013, they should be able to afford the pair of them without having to go to extremes in saving money on other positions. Evans' cap hit for 2012 is ~$4.7M, but in 2013 it'll be ~$8.9M, but after that the cap increase should make their combined cap hits sustainable. And we have to remember that Bushrod's 2012 cap hit of $6.75M will come of the books in 2013, so that would decrease the effect of Evans' cap hit in 2013, if they were to replace Bushrod with a more affordable LT. All I'm saying is that they can keep both Nicks and Evans if they so desire, but none of us really know if that is what they want.
	"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

02-29-2012, 07:10 AM	#10
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	This from Walter Football... Originally Posted by jeanpierre Season Summary: The Saints should play all of their postseason games at home next time. Their previous two seasons have concluded with a trip to the NFC West champion, so it's becoming clear that they won't be able to reach the Super Bowl again unless they secure homefield advantage. Offseason Moves: Offseason Needs: Two Outside Linebackers: New Orleans' linebacker play is a joke. Aside from Jonathan Vilma, everyone must go. Unfortunately, the team doesn't have a first-round pick to fix this problem (Zach Brown would be a great addition). Defensive Tackle: Only one Saint defensive lineman had more than four sacks. In a division with Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, this needs to change. An interior pass-rusher is needed. Wide Receiver: Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are free agents. Colston already told the media that he won't be taking a hometown discount to stay in New Orleans. Left Guard: Carl Nicks is a free agent. Because the Saints have to franchise Drew Brees, they won't be able to tag Nicks, meaning he'll be able to test the market. Strong Safety: Roman Harper is constantly abused in coverage. This has to stop at some point. Interior Offensive Line Depth: The Saints are a bit thin here.

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