David Hawthorne signs with Saints
 

Michael C. Wright‏@mikecwright

Former Seahawks LB David Hawthorne has agreed to terms on 5-year deal w/New Orleans Saints, according 2 source.

Confirmed from;

New Orleans Saints‏@Saints

Saints Agree on a 5-Year Contract with LB David Hawthorne

Underrated signing that's huge. Our LB corp is top notch looking.

Mods; please remove the ??? from the title and this post. I wanted the fact confirmed! TIA

That's very interesting.

I thought that it was an either or type of a deal with Lofton and Hawthorne, but I'm really happy that they were able to sign him.

These two guys are monster tacklers, and there shouldn't be many missed tackles from the LB corps this coming season.

Does this finally mean goodbye to SS?

With all these LB's we have picked up, we have finally seen the last of Scott Shanle!

Fin; don't forget about the Saints signing of Chris Chamberlain. I would say it could be "adios" to SS...and possibly others!!

This is to good to be true. Spags is really shaking things up. I’m so thrilled right now I could pee my pants.

Well I guess we don’t have to worry about picking up a LB in the draft now. I say we go for CB,DE,and S and maybe try to get a diamond in the rough WR or TE.

Coo Loomis isn't taking this suspension bounty bull lying down, I love this signing, yuck fou Goddell, how you like them apples

Of course, but Chamberlain is - as far as I understood it - first and foremost a special teamer and a depth guy, who can be an additional LB "coach" in what Spags wants them to do within his system, which might be even more helpful with Vitt missing the initial part of the coming season.

Hawthorne is almost as well adapted to playing MLB or OLB in a 4-3, and he is definitely a potential day-1 starter, which is why I think that this signing is bad news for SS, since the Saints already re-signed Casillas at a very reasonable tender price.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Herring as well.

Yeah that's awesome news!!

DT! Don't forget about the DT. There are so many good DT prospects in this year's draft that it would be insane not to pick at least one, preferable two young DTs. Did I mention they need DTs? Oh, and for heaven's sake, pick a DT! http://smileys.on-my-web.com/reposit.../happy-098.gif

Finally Scott Shanle gets cut, there is no way he beats out this talent at LB that Loomis has put together, we've had to take it for 6 years but I can't wait to hear the news

April 03, 2012 4:25 p.m. - by Larry Holder

"With the Saints bringing in three new potential starting LBs (Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain), the holdovers from last season's LB corps may not be holdovers for long. Veteran LBs like Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle and Will Herring could potentially be on the chopping block as New Orleans currently has 11 LBs on the roster."

David Hawthorne signs with Saints | ProFootballTalk
The Saints linebacking corps is going to look very different next season.

They signed Curtis Lofton earlier this month and now comes word that they have signed former Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne as well. The team announced that it is a five-year deal via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. No financial details have been announced.

Hawthorne has started 41 games for the Seahawks over the last three years and finished with more than 100 tackles in all three seasons. He got his first shot in the starting lineup after an injury to Lofa Tatupu in 2009 and did good work inside for the Seahawks, including a career-high three interceptions last season. He first joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2008.

Where he fits with the Saints remains to be seen. Lofton projects to be their starting middle linebacker, but there are certainly openings at the other spots with Jo-Lonn Dunbar signing in St. Louis and no one else really distinguishing themselves last season.

Hawthorne’s arrival makes it seem like the Saints are preparing for life without Jonathan Vilma. Whether that’s because he’s suspended as a result of the bounty investigation or not, Vilma’s days in New Orleans seem numbered.

I'm loving the way this is going. To hell with Goodell. The Saints are going to dominate the NFC South once again.

Sure these signings are to cover while Vilma is suspended but Loomis has said that Vilma isn't going anywhere so maybe they got him to restructure as well and come back after he pays his time

Dome Patrol.....the rebirth! Thats all I gotta say.......!

Even though Drew Brees being signed is the only news I'm waiting for.. this makes my day. Found out about this from the Saints Facebook Page. "In Loomis We Trust!"

Vilma doesn't necessarily have play at MLB nor do either Lofton or Hawthorne, so I don't think that this is a signal that Vilma will be gone.

If Vilma is healthy and able to play, he is a definite starter, but he'll have to restructure if he is not suspended for the year.

The LB corps will be a lot better than what it has been, but it won't be elite in terms of the league, so lets not get carried away.

It doesn't have to be elite to lead to another Super Bowl win. Right?

;)

This team has the best offense in the HISTORY of the league, a half decent defense is all it would take to make it back to the Superbowl, I think this signing all but locks that up

FWIW, Saints Sign Lb, David Hawthorne - Falcons Life Forums

C'mon brees just sign now! Our Defense is making strides in the right direction

Im thinking Vilma. Too much money in the LB core im sure.

Holy Sh*t! This is going to be Dome Patrol, Part Deux!

I didn't see this coming!!!!

But but... we don't have any money to spend.

Loomis does it again.

Shanle's movin' back into coverage.

I'm starting to think Loomis has a Jedi mind trick because he can sign anybody. Shanle is gone in my opinion. Now lets get Brees signed Loomis.

Very Nice!

It's funny that we sign a LB that the Falcons were interested in as well and the first thing the rival fans say is: he's not good in coverage or is injury prone... jealousy perhaps?

We have 10 LBs on our roster right now. (11 if you count Casillas who has not signed his RFA offer-thing). We can't need all those guys, can we?

Maybe cut 3 or so to clear up some space for he-who-must-be-signed. (is a Harry Potter reference acceptable on a football message board?) :D

i hope all these lbs can cover pass catchers also. ive read that lofton and hawthorne arent the greatest in pass coverage. all they need to be really is ok. anyone is better than shanle and a hurt vilma is garbage as well. so all in all these are moves that are going in the right direction. i would be surprised if brees signs something soon (long term deal) im sure loomis wanted to make some moves and deal with brees in the end.

Lofton did have 2 interceptions last year and Hawthorne had 3; pretty decent for LB's not good in coverage... :doh:

In the beginning there was the Dome Patrol
ang then along came (enter prederred name here)

Yeah, DT!!! Our DB's look fine as is, as far as need goes I'd focus more on DT/OL/TE/WR.

I'm hoping we select the BPA at those positions.

We have had a he-who-shall-not-be-named since '05, so sure, why not?

Papz, how many years does the guy have to do it before the haters finally accept the fact that we have a damn good GM. Best since Jim Finks and I'm wondering if he's already passed him.

WE ARE LOADED FOR A RUN...AGAIN!!!

And we've finally addressed the LB position we've all so desperately wanted.

Dare I say we could have THREE new starters at LB this year?

I'd all but given up on this ever happening.

I need a bro-hug.........

Wilson, Hawthorne, Lofton? that was my first thought when we signed Hawthorne today

Remember their was 4 in the dome patrol. 3/4 could be coming......