The Dude

What would you do if you could rebuild the Saints to get us back to a championship team?

Some of you guys who are more knowledgable than me might be able to give me some insight and have some fun doing it. Maybe make a current roster and post changes, like players you would bring in, or just the type of players you would bring in to replace them.

saintfan

The first thing I'd do is head down to Bourbon Street and find myself 4 homeless guys lookin' to make a buck and willin to play on the defensive line.

Edit:
I'm not kidding.

MatthewT

Very good question, although it is a little early to say at this point. I would probably say if the Saints can finish somewhere around the 8-8 mark, then probably minimal rebuilding. If the bottom falls out, like the way it's looking now, probably a serious roster shake up would be in order.

Based on what I've seen so far this season, it is obvious to say the Saints need major help on defense. I get that Spags has a new system and stuff, but seriously, it shouldn't be this bad. It's very possible the Saints already have some of the right guys on that side of the ball, maybe just not ready to start yet. Who knows...

Offensive line needs some serious help, and Drew Brees needs to seriously get that 100 million dollar contract out of his mind and just play sound football. He is probably pressing a little bit, trying to justify his big payday. The decision making has not been overall good, he will snap out of it and should have another great season.

callmedaddy

If I were to "rebuild" The team there'd be a few things I'd do:

1. Fire Steve Spagnuolo, I know it's only 3 games, but terrible play by our defense, hire the most trusted guy in our organization.

2. Replace Roman Harper via Free Agency. I've always been a fan of Harper, but his liability in coverage kills us, and it'd be better to pair a younger, more coverage type Safety to pair up with Jenkins to give us a nasty safety duo.

3. Sign a Nickel CB. This game is turning more and more into a passing league, we need to reward our strong D-line with good coverage and get some coverage sacks. Pay attention to Dolphins Sean Smith this off-season in free agency 6-3 214 pounds, he's not going to tackle anybody but he has very good coverage skills.

4. Trade Drew Brees for a **** load of picks. If we were to ever be in rebuilding, what would the point be keeping a 33 year old QB? Elite or not? Look at the Colts in their rebuilding phase, getting rid of possibly the best QB of our past decade and drafting Andrew Luck. That's how you rebuild.

5. Draft Matt Barkley. we'll either be at a good spot to take him or trade up if we have to since we won't have Drew Brees anymore.


I know a lot of you are going to give me **** for saying to trade Drew Brees and replace him with Matt Barkley, but the point is we're never going to go into rebuilding mode as long as Drew Brees is here. We are NOT that bad right now, we're pretty bad but not rebuilding mode bad. But If we were to somehow decide to rebuild those would be my steps.

MatthewT

I get what you are saying, if a total rebuild is in order trade Brees. But seriously, I would not go after a USC quarterback... lol

Haps Biggest Fan

One option would have been to not resign Drew Brees and to re-build from there instead of spending all our money on Drew.

However, that would never happen, and was never going to happen. I fully expect to be bashed for expressing this thought, given how much we all love Drew Brees. On the other hand, the Saints D has been weak for some years now, and, it should have been realized that once we lost all of our FAs and hired a new DC, that our Defense would take a step backwards.

Now we have to rebuild the Offense and Defense, all during a time when we are going to lose two 2nd Round draft picks . . . and Drew Brees is 33 years old right now?

Naw, man . . . somebody should have considered letting Drew go and re building from here. The window for winning more SBs with Drew is probably closed.

GO SAINTS GO!! GO SAINTS GO!! GO SAINTS GO!!
-- Al Hirt on the Tulane Stadium PA system loudly cheering for our beloved New Orleans Saints

D_it_up

There are quite a few things I would do to rebuild this team:

1. I wouldn't trade Brees just yet, but I would definitely bring in someone to groom as his future replacement. A legitimate replacement, I mean. I'd be looking at someone who fits the system and can learn it quickly. If this year continues to be a bust, give Brees another year after Payton comes back. If the struggles continue, then I'd be looking to make that change after another season or two until the replacement is ready to take the reigns.

2. I would strengthen the trenches. The only players on the offensive line that are safe in my mind are Evans and Grubbs. Our tackles right now are pure crap. Bushrod and Strief are going to get Brees killed this year. Charles Brown doesn't look like he's going to be starting material, so I would look in free agency and the draft for solid starting offensive tackles to replace those guys. I would even look to bolster the center position. On the defensive side, Smith and Ellis would be gone. Bunkley has looked no better than the other two chumps we had last year. Use Cam Jordan as a tweener between DE and DT. Cut your losses with Ellis and let the kid Hicks start from here on out. Play Martez Wilson and Junior Gallette at defensive end on a lot more plays to get some speed on the ends. I would look for more depth from younger, quicker guys who play with a little more heat and something to prove on the D-line.

3. I would start looking to revamp our safeties. There needs to be at least one ball hawk out there, because this team definitely doesn't have one right now. Jenkins hasn't panned out like I hoped he would. I won't even get started on Harper.

4. I would focus on using only PT and Sproles as our options at runningback with PT being the feature back. Only keep Ingram, Ivory or Cadet around for depth and to spell one of those guys occasionally.

5. I would look for more depth at the corner position. With Greer's injury history and Pat Rob's inability to show that he can be a #1 corner yet, I would look for someone that can come in ag the nickel slot or spell either of these guys as a #1 or #2 corner when needed. I don't have much confidence in any of our corners behind them.

People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.

lee909

Anyone have any idea were we stand with the cap if we cut the likes of Smith,Ellis,Bushrod etc.
The Brees contract is going to be a massive issues when trying to rebuild.Im not even sure we can do it in his remaining years.

dizzle88

What happened to johnny Patrick? He never even played a snap, corey white was out there getting abused as usual

Jamessr

If we had Sean Payton noone here would be talking rebuilding or even thinking trading Drew Brees.... Some people keep referring to him being 33 years old... Make it sound like he's done next year. Wow he's only 33!