SmashMouth

Awesome. We got our own Suh!
He's a beast!

Euphoria

LMAO...

Ok that is the funniest thing I have heard in awhile... "READ THE FACTS".

Sorry I don't believe other people's crap on the internet. I tend to watch games and draw conclusions myself.

pherein

Its possible that Hicks could be a bust, but most drafts are anyways. I actually like this pick. All DL from college have no idea how to deal with a professional NFL OL. They all need to be built from the ground up again.
Hicks was rated high on the Saints draft board because of the possibility he possess. He was rated high on the patriots draft board also.
He has excellent size,speed, and arm strength.
If he listens , learns , and has discipline he could be one of the better DT's in the NFL. I mean smith was drafted high, and look what that got us. Smith is ok, but not for the money we are paying him. Playing against one of the better OL's in the NFL, Hicks is going to get a good workout.
He does seem to need to be in better shape, but I like the raw abilities he has. I doubt we will know what he can do until next season anyway.

Saints proved that pigs could fly in 2009.
Now its time for another miracle SuperBowl and go where no pig has gone before.

Seer1

I like his lateral movement. His frame looks like it could hold a few more pounds. I can't remember if Spags likes'em lean or not. Does seem to tend to tackle high. He'll really need to get to hatin' the green and playing football when the temp's above zero though.

TheDeuce

His Senior Bowl performance was pretty impressive. The dude moves REALLY well for how big he is. Plays much too high... and I thought it was interesting that at Regina he lined up mostly on the outside as a DE... but guy can really rush the passer. My guess is that's why we drafted him, to try and increase our pass rush.

Euphoria

I am glad you guys are on a forum an not one of our coaches.

FinSaint

I still like this pick even after some time has passed and I've been able to think about it some more.

In the NFL Network's draft coverage show, Mayock said this about Hicks when they were evaluation all the picks of all the teams division by division - word for word:


So, all in all I'm happy with this pick because DT was a major need for them, and while he might not make a big impact his first year as he needs to be coached up quite a bit - he might be a big contributor in the 2013 season when Ellis presumably, barring an excellent 2012 season, will be gone.

In general, I think the Saints addressed most of the needs they had with a DT, WR, S, G, and a T. Although I would've liked to see them draft a CB, at least they got a safety in White. Tiller the guard is a massive human being, but they might have to get the NOLA restaurants to boycott him because he was over 400 pounds at one time in his career, but then dropped 70 to 80 pounds, so he might have a tendency to pick up pounds if not careful. And Jones the tackle, the Saints have done well with Nebraska O-Linemen, so he might at least be a solid depth guy for them going forward. And the more video I've watched of Toon, the more I like that particular pick.

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

FinSaint

Why I originally liked the idea of picking one of the three: Randall, Wolfe or Hicks in this year's draft is that they all have a very tall frame with great "wingspan."

Hicks being 6-5 and having the arm length of 35+ inches and the hand length of 10+ inches - even if he doesn't get to the QB through the interior, he can always put his hands up and swat/pat the pass out of the air.

Miller (6-4), Johnson (6-3), Bunkley (6-2), King (6-2), and Ellis (6-1) are not tall enough or athletic enough (Miller) to provide the same type of pass interference as someone with the measurables of Hicks.

Putting f.e. Hicks and Johnson on the field at the same time on passing downs could potentially make passing down the middle much harder for even taller QBs like Freeman. That is kind of what Spags did in NY with someone like Chris Canty, so therefore, I thought that since the Saints lacked a DT of such stature on their roster, they'd try to pick someone like that from the draft.

Even someone like Rogers was able to pat down a pass or two this past season if I remember correctly, but although he had the height to do it, he lacked the athleticism to do it effectively nor did he have the ideal body frame for it either. And, I seriously doubt that Swanson Miller will see anything else than practice squad time this coming season if all things go as planned - he might even end up being cut again.

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

RaginCajun83

Cameron Wake I believe

FinSaint

Yes, he was the one, thanks!