Danno

Linebackers
Added:
Courtney Watson–MLB, 2nd best MLB available in draft
Colby Bockwoldt-WLB, 2 year WLB project.

Lost: No one, but would it matter?

SLB- Hodge played better toward the end of the season after returning from injury. He is still a young player with good upside. His time is running out though.
James Allen-Probably a better fit at the SLB than the WLB. He will push Hodge for the starting job. Only 2 years in the league so far, so he still has good upside.
Darren Smith-May surprise folks at the SLB. Probably a better player here than at MLB.

MLB- Grant and Watson will fight it out. The winner will probably be Watson since he’s played it for 3 years so far. Many thought Grant would be better at the WLB anyway. I think Haz finds a way to put both on the field.
Ruff- Above average back-up.

WLB- Rodgers is at worst average. Not great but not bad either. Look for Cie Grant to win his job by losing the MLB. The Bockwoldt kid intrigues me. From what I’ve read he has excellent skills, just not NFL strong yet. A good NFL training program may turn this guy into a player. He has the frame to add bulk without losing speed, so I’m told. I’d rather have a kid who has talent and skills, that just needs strengthening, than a strong fast kid who has no talent. But realistically a year or two away at best even if he does get stronger.

While this group is far from spectacular, they should be much better than the 2003 unit, even considering their youth. But of course how could they not be?
Probable 2004 starting line-up…
SLB-Hodge
MLB-Watson
WLB-Grant

saintz08

Special teamer ..........

Who gets cut ????

ami2kind4words

Who gets cut ????

[/quote:319b2600b8]Darrin Smith (cut), Sedrick Hodge (traded), Colby Bockwoldt (practice squad)
Starters: Cie Grant (SLB), Courtney Watson (MLB), Derrick Rodger (WLB)

Danno

Knight, Gleason, McAfee, K. Allen, K.Craver, M.Lewis, T. Gardner ???
Who knows yet? He\'s probably practice squad.

whowatches

I think I\'m okay with our linebackers for now. The Watson pick is one that I have to take on faith cause I just don\'t watch that many Notre Dame games. Jaws\'s comments make me feel a bit better. Can\'t say that I truly trust Haslett\'s track record with LBs. Not trying to be negative. That\'s just how I feel.

Picking up Trotter for a decent price (if that is a possiblitiy) would not bother me at all.

saintz08

Danno are you officially highjacking this thread or are we dicussing linebackers here ??

Which linebackers are getting cut ????

Danno

The early guess is Smith and Knight. But if Hodge or Allen look really bad in TC, it could be one of them. They\'ll add Watson at the expense of Knight and probably send Colby to the PS.
Do you want specific dates too?

WhoDat

Here\'s what I heard:

\"Hasn\'t done squat yet, but he\'s got potential\" - insert that after every single LB you listen Danno. Great, potential has done so much for us these last few years.

Danno

Sounds so much better than \"He sucks, and has zero potential\" though doesn\'t it.
You know, just about every single player drafted this weekend hasn\'t done squat yet, but has potential.
But I wanted to hear some negativity. Haven\'t heard enough lately.

WhoDat

True - but have the results been any different over the last 3 seasons? Only thing our LBs\' potential does for the Saints is make the organization hang on to these bums too long before finally realizing that they\'re poo and giving up on them.