New Orleans Saints quick to sign undrafted free agents
 

Not long after the New Orleans Saints made their last pick in this past weekend's NFL draft, team personnel began reaching out to potential undrafted free agents in hopes of bringing them to New Orleans. Jerico Nelson was anxiously awaiting one of those calls.

And when it came, the former Destrehan High School and Arkansas standout safety agreed to join the Saints.

"This is where I was raised," Nelson said. "Growing up I got to see them play a lot, and I got to a couple of games, so I feel real good about that. I'm really excited about joining the Saints."

Read more.
New Orleans Saints quick to sign undrafted free agents - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

It's pretty interesting that they are bringing in 4 LBs, but only 2 CBs, since they are already loaded on the LB front (even though LBs do regularly make good special teamers) but severely lacking in CB depth.

But I guess at least one of those 3 safeties could as well play CB or are they seriously thinking about reverting Jenkins back into a (slot) CB?

I'm not sure I'd say we are severly lacking depth at CB. Torrence is a journeyman CB used as a 4th CB, and easily replaced.

Patrick should step up in the 3rd CB role, and you can basically sign someone off the street as a 4th CB.

our dime package could very well be a s

Yes, but I do think that "severely" is the right word for how things stand at the moment. Because Greer and Robinson are the only CBs on the roster who have extended experience on the field.

While I do agree with you that Patrick should quite easily step into the nickel role, still he is unproven and he might be injury prone, although I have no evidence to back that "hunch" up.

But after these 3 guys, the Saints don't really have any playmakers at the CB position, and while they hopefully won't need more than 3 at any given time during the season, there's always the chance that one or more of them could pick up an injury during the course of the season forcing them to lose some time.

Naturally, the Saints can always sign pretty much any journeyman or UDFA CB to be the 4th CB on the depth chart, but that might end up biting them in the a$$. With the season both Spags and Flajole had last year with the Rams - over 10 CBs going on the IR - I would think that they'd prepare themselves better for the possibility of a similar situation with the Saints.

Hopefully, some proven CBs will be cut by teams that picked CBs in the draft, and the Saints could get their hands on a proven or at least semi-proven CB that way, and then sign 1 or 2 UDFAs to create some depth.

To me, they haven't addressed the departure of Porter in any way, although I was all for letting him go instead of overpaying him to stay.

True, injuries are always a concern, but for every position. Most teams keep 4 or 5 CB's on their roster. The 4th and 5th are typically special teamers that can fill in in a pinch.
We aren't much different than last year when we had 3 starters, a rookie in Patrick and a special teamer in Torrence.

This year we have 3 starters (I'm making the assumption that Patrick has come far enough along to be a 3rd CB), a rookie in White, which leaves basically the 5th CB as a worry.

I think picking up a 5th CB/ST player isn't that difficult, especially as some of these vets start getting cut.

What was the name of the guy we signed away from the ravens last year? I know he went on IR but the guy supposedly had sub 4.4 speed. I wonder if we bring him back for another look as well.

Do you mean Fabian Washington?

Fabian Washington - New Orleans Saints - 2012 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com


He has a lot of injury concerns, and his career might be over.

UDFA's have been good to us. We seem to have the right feel for who is and isn't NFL material. Not what they've got to offer now but what they can develop into.

Torrence signed with the Redskins

I think Danno knows that, I think he was simply stating that the 4th CB in the depth chart from last year was a "journeyman" who could be fairly easily replaced by another such CB or an UDFA.

At least that's how I understood it.

Thats what I meant, I just worded it confusedly.:p

Official link and quick profile.

Saints Announce 2012 Rookie Free Agent Class

There seems to be quite a bit of potential with these UDFA's. This makes me feel more comfortable about our draft. There could be a few gems that break out at TC. Let's hope so.

List of UDFA's for New Orleans:
Tracking New Orleans Saints' 2012 NFL Undrafted Free Agent Signings | Bleacher Report

The 18 signees, according to the team, are:

LB Kadarron Anderson, Furman

LB Stephen Johnson, Temple

LB Aaron Tevis, Boise State

WR Malcolm Beyah, Middle Tennessee State

WR Chris Givens, Miami (Ohio)

WR Kevin Hardy, Citadel

DE Braylon Broughton,Texas Christian

DL Tyrunn Walker, Tulsa

TE Jake Byrne, Wisconsin

RB Travaris Cadet, Appalachian State

DB A.J. Davis, Jacksonville State

C Brian Folkerts, Washburn

S Jose Gumbs, Monmouth

S Jerico Nelson, Arkansas

S Johnny Thomas, Oklahoma State

OT Dan Hoch, Missouri

OT Aderious Simmons, Arizona State

RET Laron Scott, Georgia Southern