New Orleans Saints quick to sign undrafted free agents

Attached Thumbnails · 04-30-2012, 08:19 AM

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

FinSaint · 04-30-2012, 08:47 AM

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?

Danno · 04-30-2012, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

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.

hagan714 · 04-30-2012, 09:17 AM

our dime package could very well be a s

FinSaint · 04-30-2012, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

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.

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.

Danno · 04-30-2012, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

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.

frydaddy · 04-30-2012, 11:14 AM

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.

FinSaint · 04-30-2012, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by frydaddy

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.

Rugby Saint II · 04-30-2012, 01:37 PM

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.

|Mitch| · 04-30-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

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

Torrence signed with the Redskins

04-30-2012, 08:19 AM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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 Attached Thumbnails
Views: 3369

04-30-2012, 08:53 AM	#3
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Originally Posted by FinSaint 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.

04-30-2012, 09:34 AM	#5
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	Originally Posted by Danno 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. 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.
	"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

04-30-2012, 10:58 AM	#6
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Originally Posted by FinSaint 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.

04-30-2012, 11:20 AM	#8
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	Originally Posted by frydaddy 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.

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04-30-2012, 08:47 AM	#2
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	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?

04-30-2012, 09:17 AM	#4
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	our dime package could very well be a s

04-30-2012, 11:14 AM	#7
frydaddy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lafayette Posts: 1,950 Blog Entries: 1	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.

04-30-2012, 01:37 PM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	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.

04-30-2012, 01:39 PM	#10
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Originally Posted by Danno I'm not sure I'd say we are severly lacking depth at CB. Torrence is a journeyman CB used as a 4th CB. Torrence signed with the Redskins