WhoDat!656

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

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

Danno

Brown, Strief, Harris and Jones...

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

Beastmode

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.

Seer1

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.

ChrisXVI

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.

Boutte

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.

RockyMountainSaint

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.

Seer1

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

Danno

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.

Joker

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.