New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

The New Orleans Saints have arguably the best offense in the NFL and it is because they have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. However, the Saints’ offensive line took a hit this summer when the team lost starting left tackle, Jermon Bushrod, to the Chicago Bears. The Saints were not willing to pay Bushrod the contract he desired so they let him walk.

At first it seemed like the Saints would be able to overcome Bushrod’s departure, but even in the early stages of the offseason it is becoming apparent that the left tackle position is becoming a concern. Saints head coach Sean Payton said as much when asked about the left tackle position, “I look at that spot like there’s a magnet with no name on it…Gray, it’s just gray.”

If the season started today Charles Brown would be the Saints starting left tackle, but there does not seem to be that much confidence in Brown. Payton is concerned with Brown’s inability to stay healthy, and although Brown filled in nicely when Zach Strief went down with an injury, he did suffer a season-ending injury.

Brown does not seem to be the answer for the Saints, but as of right now he is really all they have. The team could look to free agency, but with only about $1.85 million in cap space a viable left tackle will not be available. Making a trade for a left tackle is another route to go, but that does not seem likely for the Saints.

The way I see it, the Saints have one of two choices. One, insert Brown as the starting left tackle and hope he works out, or two, use one of their draft picks to bring in an offensive tackle that could possibly start right away. The Saints have the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, and if the left tackle position is still an issue by then the team should strongly consider using their top pick to draft an offensive lineman.

This year’s draft class is not very deep at offensive tackle, but with the 15th pick the Saints could get their starting left tackle. Only time will tell what the Saints decide to do about the left tackle position, but I am sure they will figure it out.

The Saints’ defense is probably their biggest issue, but the lack of a starting left tackle could become another big issue for the Saints.

New Orleans Saints Should be Concerned with Left Tackle Vacancy

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Brown, Strief, Harris and Jones...

I'm thinking pick 15 is an O-lineman.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I hope we trade down. It's getting to where there isn't much separation anymore between the first few rounds, especially picking at 15.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Let's remember to breathe here. There are hours left before the season starts. I'd say our biggest hit as far as the O-Line goes is the loss of Kroemer, not Bushrod.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

We took absolutely no hit at all by losing Bushrod. God I hate when losing him is looked at as some kind of devestating blow to our offense. Bushrod is mediocre at best... Stop freaking out folks.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I think he was better than mediocre. Certainly not elite by any means but solid.

Hoefully we have some hidden gem stashed away somewhere on the roster because I have no confidence in Brown.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

How can something that has not happened be an issue?

We have very little to go on when it comes to who our L Tackle will be on opening day.

The team just paid Drew hella money so I assume they will protect the investment.

I am going to remain patient.

Luke Joeckel Eric Fisher Lane Johnson

If these guys are gone? I expect to hear a trade down at 15.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Yeah, I'd think a couple of draft picks would be better for us than a top 15 OT.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Bushrod was an average to slightly above average LT.

The problem isn't that we lost a B-minus OT, the problem is we don't have a B-minus replacement on the roster and a B-minus LT is probably 4 to 6 million per season. We currently have 3 million.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Charles Brown 630,000
Marcel Jones 537,000
Bryce Harris 480,000

Pickings looking pretty slim to protect a 100 million dollar QB!!!!!!
Drafting a LT at 15 would be worse than trying someone that's already on the roster. Like I said on previous threads a LT should be more of a concern than some soft CB, will mention no names. Hopefully Charles Brown will surprise everyone this year but for insurance I believe McKinnie is still out there, yea I know he's about 195 years old but I can't think of anyone else.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I hope we DON'T use #15 on a tackle - I hope we pick someone for the defense 4 out of the 5 picks or we trade down and get more picks and still only pick OT in the 3rd or 4th. Bushrod, Nicks, Evans, DeLaPuente - what do they all have in common? Mid-round or small school gems. Trust them to pick someone when they need to who fits their formula, not who or when the pundits think we should.

Besides, if we get a good OL who will be high-paid we always let them walk, so we're renting them 3 or 4 years at best. I joke with my friends that we are an OL factory for the NFL. But if we pick a really good DB or LB/DE we will make them Saints for life. So I hope we spend it on a Trufant, Mingo, or a Vaccaro, who will lock down a spot for the next 8-10 years.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

:saintsfan: Apparently neither does Payton! :saintsfan:

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

This draft is plenty deep at Offensive Tackle...

Round 1
OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, 6-6/306
OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan, 6-7/306
OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma, 6-6/303
OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama, 6-5/339

Round 2
OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6-5/306
OT Kyle Long, Oregon, 6-6/313
OT Menelik Watson, Florida State, 6-5/310
OT Dallas Thomas, Tennessee r, 6-5/306

Round 3
OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado, 6-4/299
OT Oday Aboushi, Virginia, 6-5/308
OT Chris Faulk (Injured), LSU, 6-5/331

Round 4
OT Jordan Mills, Louisiana Tech, 6-5/316
OT David Quessenberry, San Jose State, 6-5/302
OT Xavier Nixon, Florida, 6-6/321

Round 5
OT Brennan Williams (Injured), North Carolina, 6-6/318
OT Reid Fragel, Ohio State, 6-8/308
OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin, 6-6/308

Not to mention...

Round 2
OL Barrett Jones (Injured), Bama, 6-4/306

As a Junior, Jones moved to Left Tackle, started all 13 games and won the Outland Trophy for Best College Lineman for the National Championship Crimson Tide...

As a Senior, he THEN moved to Center, started all games and won the Rimington Trophy for Best College Center for the Repeat National Championship Crimson Tide playing with a Lisfranc fracture he developed in the SEC Championship game and played through against ND in the BCS...

Gentleman, this man must be brought into the Black and Gold and if not, well, we're not going to stand here while those that disagree bad mouth the United States of America!

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

LT pretty important protects qb blind side..... But no way they go LT at 15 ... We need a pass rusher ! Like something terrible ! We haven't got to the qb since 09 ! C'mon mannnn

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

We need someone with experience. A rookie LT sounds scary.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I'm thinking not having Kroemer is much scarier.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

IMO, it's not as much about McKinnie's age than it is about his immobility on the field, and that is something he struggled with his whole career with the Vikes, so the age is secondary - his skill set not being a fit is primary.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I'm with Seer1.

No Kroemer makes the revolving door scary.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Yeah, it might seem that way, but who knows? Maybe Bret Ingalls can be an even better O-line coach than what Kromer was..?

It's all possible at this point. Anyway, the Saints' website states on his profile that Ingalls has "extensive experience tutoring offensive linemen", whatever that means.

New Orleans Saints: Bret Ingalls

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

pacifier for fans till we see if this blows up or not

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I does seem like he does have experience in being the O-line coach and developing/teaching offensive linemen, so here's to hoping he can fill the shoes left behind by Kromer.

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

not bad at all some wide open offenses listed in there. plus more than one good OL came out of those schools too

well worth watching

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Fingers crossed...

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

There's a guy named Sean Payton that should make the transition smoother...

Remember, Condon and Brees asked for so much as to not allow for his protection...

Bought a Lamborghini and nothing left for a garage...

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I fixed it for you! ;-)

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

I would rather have a Lamborghini and no garage, than a Pinto parked in the Taj Mahal .

Re: New Orleans Saints Starting Left Tackle Vacancy Becoming an Issue
 

Ingalls has that Illinois thing that Payton likes...plus Northwestern is a really under-rated sleeper program. They had that bad reputation for a long time, of being the really losing team, the biggest losing streak in history and all that -- that's all in the past now but they still get overlooked in people's minds. Looks like this guy was a big part of their improvement.