What's up with Hawthorne?
 

This guy was a pretty well ballyhooed free agent but we've heard nothing about him so far. Lofton and Vilma seem right now to be the two ILB starters, so he's not doing that. Seems unlikely he'll be a rush end. Maybe he could come in on nickel downs.

BUT, this guy has a $2.5m cap hit this year and that goes up to 3.5 next year. Are we really paying him all that money to be a backup? Is he maybe trade bait at some point?

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

My guess is he'll be a starter when the season opens.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

He'll nail down Vilmas spot.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

All the talk has been about how well Lofton and Vilma work together though. I don't think that's something you want to throw away. Any kind of built-in chemistry at this stage will really help the defense and it is pretty vital that the two inside guys in a 3-4 are sympatico.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

Hawthorne was battling injuries all last season, I expect to see his play improve this season...

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

Three ILB set anyone??? I think he'll be a good contributor this season.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

He'll likely start at SAM.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

to early to tell but of all the ILB he can play outside probably better than them all. let pray he stays out of the whirl pool

Guesses at a 53-man roster
 

NM, wrong place

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

I remember when we signed him the reports stated he played all the LB spots well in Seattle.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

Hawthorne (salary) is now expendable - even with Victor Butler out...

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

I think Hawthorne costs us over 6 million to cut him this year, and only 2.5 million to keep him.

David Hawthorne Contracts, Salaries, Cap Hits, & Transactions

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

And with 5.5 in cap space we would be instantly over.

We would effectively have to cut one to be able to cut Hawthorne.... Cutting two players to get rid of one is not something I would be in favor of. Lol

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

He was a very good LB in Seattle. Unless, as somebody suggested, there really is a curse on Saints LBs he should be worth the money we're paying him.

Re: What's up with Hawthorne?
 

If there is it was Shanle's doing. He was also obviously immune.