Seer1

I'm really hoping we score in the tackle department -both Nose and Left in the draft.... Not to mention a backup QB.

jeanpierre

We definitely haven't drafted well overall and that's why we're where we are...

Give a partial pass to Loomis because the Brees/Condon contract was a big pill...

But a more reliable Left Tackle should have already have been on the roster as Bushrod turned down a contract extension (and bully for him) two years ago...

jeanpierre

Longtime Saints Columnist Brian Allee-Walsh has some ideas about the Saints front seven...

Notebook: Saints putting pieces together for 3-4 defense

Of note, he has Akiem Hicks as a Nose Tackle...

But other than maybe Nnamdi, I suspect we'll see signing when we get closer to the regular season as many of these "vets", desiring greater pay, will not want to go through training camp for their market value...

Seer1

I'm still seeing Hicks as a killer end, but there's just no way we achieve close to perfect with the cash we have. It's just going to boil down to exactly how bad our coaching was last year. Do we already have decent players who've never really been given the chance to play up to their potential? Just gotta hope it's been more coaching than player.

jeanpierre

Well, the front office is no where near the level that Coach Payton and QB Brees are on the field; in fact, they've been pretty awful in the drafting department and so-so in Free Agency (Brees aside)...

...our coaching on defense has also been awful; would expect to see some development, some improvement and it's not happened during Payton's tenure..

...the personnel level on defense, if giving a grade, is a "C-"; and there doesn't seem to be a plan in place until recently to improve that in terms of quality and salary cap projecting...

...am as anxious as you to see Hicks in his second year, and like several B&G Brothers, hope he can be a steal and a monster at defensive end in the 3-4...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Seer1

They really do seem content to call one player out of twenty or so a success. It looked pretty successful to me too until you, Fin, Danno and some other B&G brothers showed me the error of my thinking.

If we could get someone to get our defense playing up to a "C", we'd be pretty much unstoppable.

jeanpierre

The success on the field of Coach Payton and Drew Brees has masked some big problems...

Loomis some reason has been given a pass...

No, not every decision he's made or is gonna make is right, but the inability to draft and develop defenders becomes more evident after nearly ten years...

...most glaring is the first round Busts - and the bodies are starting to pile up now...

...the Bensons need to have a sit down with Mickey and Coach Payton (regardless of what's in his contract) and demand a change in the personnel and scouting departments...

...I don't want to hear how "respected" and "well known" our personnel people are in the "NFL community" - fact is, they've failed, miserably, and the evidence is there...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Seer1

Isn't Mickey's real claim to fame his bean counting, making things happen on the contract front? Maybe they should move their small school scouts to management and use'em to train some more guys. Shouldn't our personnel people be better known in the "college community"?

TheOak

Every team has a different dynamic as far as rolls and responsibility regardless of job title. There is no one model for the NFL, they do it the correct way. Strengths and weaknesses defines who does what.

Its optimal.

nycsaintfan

Jeanpierre, very strong words.

I agree 100% with your thoughts on the first round selections. We really have wasted picks at the top of the draft. Not every pick was a poor one at the time, but clearly something is not working. We have found some later round gems so I will give the scouting department some credit. But clearly this has to change now. If there ever was a draft where we really need to hit on our 1st round selection... and beyond... this one is it.

As far as Loomis goes, I don't think he is making all of the free agent calls. I'm pretty sure that Payton has a voice, and a rather load one. However, I thought that they have been pretty productive in this area. They have been able to bring in good quality players, and have allowed some players to walk at the right time.

In the Payton era there is no question that the defense has struggled. However we have had our moments. 2009 and the 2011 season where as good as this organization has seen, and the defense made plays, important stops in key situations. Last season was the perfect storm. We lose the leadership of Sean Payton... and Gregg Williams, two areas that have been consistent for three years leading up to that point. I think most pun-dents were praising most of the additions to the defense a year ago.

This is shaping up to be a fork in the road type season for this organization. I think we all still feel like this is a team that has a chance to win a championship. But with the finances what they are, and the core of this team getting older, how much longer does the window stay open? For the most part, I think organization from top to bottom has some areas that they can improve on. But, is in good shape overall.