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Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune spoke with Antoine Winfield’s agent, Ashanti Webb, a few weeks back and learned that Webb feels his client would be a good fit in New Orleans.

The numbers tell the same story.

According to Pro Football Focus, Porter ranked No. 102 in the NFL among cornerbacks that played at least 25 percent of their teams’ snaps in coverage. Porter was in coverage for eight snaps for every reception he allowed. Winfield ranked No. 52 allowing a reception for every 10.2 coverage snaps.

While that’s a huge difference, it’s not the mammoth statistical reason why Winfield’s more attractive than Porter.

When it comes to run stop percentage, a Pro Football Focus statistic that tackles on passing plays that go for a loss, no cornerback in the NFL last season had a better stop percentage that Winfield. Porter ranked 49th.

Anyone that watched a New Orleans game last season saw that tackling was as lost an art to the Saints as Hieroglyphics. Wouldn’t it be a better option to grab a cornerback that’s a top-notch tackler and a better cover corner?

Asomugha is still the sure-fire best option for the Saints, who need tons of help in their secondary. But if the Saints fail to nab him, Winfield should be “Plan B.”

Linkback

TheOak

If that tackling stat is true then this is our answer even before Nnamdi.

73Saint

Does Porter's experience with our team, albeit a different defense altogether, even factor into the equation? I tend to think it would make a pretty big difference.

Mardigras9

Agreed, still have to have an effective rush for any of it to work in the secondary no matter who is back there.

NinthWardJay

I brought up the notion of getting Winfield in a thread about a week ago. I think as a nickel corner playing close to the D Line he will be an extreme improvement.

Halo

I think 2 things going for Porter:

1) Superbowl hero nostalgia (sells tickets and merchandise too)
2) He probably comes at cut rate and the right price.

Porter simply did not fit well with the defensive scheme in Denver and we felt his loss after he was gone. He could easily return to the Saints and finish very strong. Also feel like Ryan is trying to develop a defense keen on the talents of his players and making it work. We'll see.

TheOak

I can not remember which fairly famous coach said the following, or exactly how the quote should go but it was something like this.

"If you plan on having a winning team, start building your nickel now."

The Saints are a high power, high scoring offense. This forces teams to start passing, more than the run we need to get our Nickle together.

Danno

Yep, the nickel back is essentially a 12th starter.

I think Elbert Mack is a really good candidate for the NB role. I also think Greer or Robinson could excel at that also.

Tracy Porter struggled mightily when moved from boundary to nickel. He was turribul.

Papa Voodoo

How about we play him at safety?

brian504

Good move if we sign him.Then get his old teammate that goes by the name Randy Moss for a very low price.something like a win win win no matter what situation.lol fareal tho.Moss is still quietly a play maker and he block as well.just saying.