RockyMountainSaint

Saints showing interest in free agent linebacker Curtis Lofton | ProFootballTalk

Multiple reports emerged Thursday afternoon that the New Orleans Saints are showing interest in free agent linebacker Curtis Lofton. The first came from NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, and the second from Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Big contracts recently paid out to D’Qwell Jackson (five years, $42.5 million), Lawrence Timmons (six years, $50 million), and David Harris (four years, $36 million) have stalled the 2012 inside linebacker market. For instance, MLive.com’s Anwar Richardson has reported that free agent inside linebacker Stephen Tulloch is asking for more money than Jackson received from Cleveland.

In general, NFL teams balk at paying that much for linebackers who don’t rush the passer.

The Saints are one of the few teams actively making overtures to players at the position, however, and they will host former Seahawks middle linebacker David Hawthorne for a Friday visit.

They’re now giving Lofton a hard look.

I'm no one.
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voodooido

Maybe a 3/4 move?

Danno

Hawthorne - MLB
Lofton - MLB

I'm thinking they may be looking for a MLB.

TheOak

Crystal ball you have.....

lsutigerfan

Hawthorne can also play weak side.

FinSaint

It's interesting trying to figure out what Spags is looking for in a MLB, but if we compare some of these guys to James Laurinaitis, who was his starting MLB for the past two seasons, there are unquestionable similarities:

Laurinaitis (6-2, 247) 2011 - (16 games) total tackles: 142; sacks: 3; passes defended: 7; INTs: 2; TDs: 0

Lofton (6-0, 241) 2011 - (16 games) total tackles: 147; sacks: 1; passes defended: 7 INTs: 2; TDs: 1

Hawthorne (6-0, 246) 2011 - (15 games) total tackles: 115; sacks: 2; passes defended: 6 INTs: 3; TDs: 1

It might be that this is why these guys were invited for a visit, they fit the mold of what Spags wants in a MLB = bye, bye Vilma and maybe Dunbar?!

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

Crusader

Interesting thought, should help to make us even stouter against the run to have a guy like that flying down in the gaps.

228jits

I think judging the stats still isnt enough. Lofton played a harsher schedule and pulled those stats. Think about who he went up against.

FinSaint

Of course I'm not saying that we should look at those stats solely, but what I was getting at is that Spags might be looking for a stout "thumber" kind of MLB, which all of these three are.

All of them also posses average to good coverage skills, which is still only a secondary concern it seems - all of them weight in at around 250 lbs, which is more than Vilma (230) and Dunbar (226).

Just speculating on what Spags might be looking for.

228jits

I understood fully.. Just trying to get my point across even more for people to take a deeper look at Lofton. I have been a fan since he was in college and he has done nothing but make himself look better in the league. He would be a great addition for leadership to this team (Not that it is lacking, but more never hurts).