I thought this guy did a great job stepping in halfway through the season, so much so that they should be considering that position locked up unless DLP is saying he's not going to play there.

The only way I can see bringing in someone like Koppen is in anticipation of losing Nicks and moving DLP back to guard, but I tell ya', I LIKE the Saints offensive line just the way it is.

I agree with you, but I can't help shake the feeling that DLP may have appeared to be better than he is in reality, and that side of the matter would be exposed if the Saints weren't able to re-sign Nicks and had to field weaker talent at LG.

Also, DLP didn't perform well in the pre-season when he was playing at the LG position - he was responsible for quite a few blown assignments and he also allowed a free run at the QB which resulted in a safety. Of course that was only pre-season, but he seems to have performed a lot better in the center than the guard position and that might be because of the talent he had on both sides.

All I know is that if the Saints were to field an O-Line of Bushrod-DLP-Tennant-Evans-Strief - I wouldn't be too comfortable going into the season.

But I like Brian De La Puente :bng:

I also like his name spelt right. No-brianer for me. :mrgreen:

I totally agree lining up between Nicks/Evans was a big part of why de la Puente was able to transition to playing center so quickly and really, by the end of the season I though he had found his starting niche in the NFL. Can't say I really saw much of his guard play but gotta' figure he was a backup for a reason.

What about a Bushrod-DLP-Koppen-Evans-Strief O/Line? In DLP's case, I'm wondering if this past half season of regular playing time and playoff experience may have given him what he needed to be a future starter at the guard position.

Personally? I think he should just stay at center.

Interior is fine. The Saints are high on Tennant as well. If De La Puente had not exploded in training camp, Tennant would have been our starting center.

Both Tennant and de la Puente can play OG too.

I'd rather see us try to land the Nicks/Evans version of OT in the later rounds.

As long as Brees stays in one piece DLP has a the job in my book.

That's what I like about the interior of that line, seems like everybody can play everywhere.

I agree with Danno in that draft is the way to go in trying to replace any of the O-linemen and also in creating the necessary depth.

That is one area in which the Saints' FO and scouting department have done a really nice job in recent years (with the exception of Brown), so I'd put it in their hands to pick up some new (cheap) talent from the draft.

So, I'd say no to Koppen.

It's cheap and it ain't broke.

I'm looking at DLP as I did Bushrod before he landed his nice contract with us. He was average to solid... which got the job done. He worked hard, continued to develop, and was rewarded.