Solutions for 2014
 

1. Restructure Brees Contract ... 70M is enough for someone who can't produce when it matters. We're not the cowboys we don't reward mediocrity.

2.Resign Soft and Over-rated. He did nothing when it mattered either. Although good He shouldn't expect a max Contract.

3. Release : Will Smith , Jonathan Vilma ( hurts ) , Malcolm Jenkins , Roman Harper , Robert Meachem , Charles Brown , Zach Strief ( I know what I've seen is enough ) , and DLP. ( Holding up blocking isn't good enough in Seattle or San Fran and Now Carolina. Add some Lovie Smith in that , Falcons Pick up Clowney , yeah this need be addressed )

4. 2 Running Backs Need To Go ... Neither named Ingram or Robinson ( Imagine Saying that Last Year ) Sproles can Stay , if he's odd man out we will address this in the draft.

5. With new cap space , Sign Alex Mack Pro Bowl Center Browns. Versatile Safety Ryan Clark Pittsburgh. definitely Resign Bush. Offer Darius Heyward Bey WR . Sign LB Jon Beason to a 1 yr deal.

6. Draft : Kelvin Benjamin FSU (wr) , If Sproles goes , D Thomas RB Oregon 3drb 2nd round.

Perhaps a new OC ... Our hurry up offense caused delay of game penalties ... Why would we give defense time to adjust catch their breath and get settled ? That's like letting Tyson cock back !! Sign Mark Helfriech , if foles can shine in that offense wonder what Brees could do !!!

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

I agree with most.

Why do you want to get rid of PT? After Brees he is arguably the most important offensive player we have.

Graham won't get a huge contract, or he shouldn't based on his play the latter part of the regular season & playoffs.

Instead of replacing OC, relieve SP of calling plays; Carmichael did well while SP was suspended.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

What is wrong with the offense? Is it all on the line? Seems like we have no deep threat... I like stills but the deep home run ball seems to be missing... and the short passing gets broken up all the time

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Some of the lack of Long Ball success is with pass protection but tell me when is the last time you saw Brees hit a streaking wide receiver or anyone in stride downfield with the ball in front of them and the receiver not having to work back to the ball thru the defender. :bng:

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

1. Most important change is getting a WR that can open up the field, command double coverages, etc. This would make Graham and the rest of the receiving core get better separation.

2. Second most important change is to upgrade DLP and maybe Strief.

3. Need to harden up our run defense. Also add some playmaker/turnover potential.


I think for the most part this team is moving in the right direction. Fans need to keep their chins up, the future is very bright. Think we are a few key pieces away from being the team to beat. This off-season will be one of the most important ones that we've had.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Also like it or not Brees' arm strength is not what it was. I think that has something to do with the deep ball threat lacking.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

A more physical offense.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

8 points from NFCCG and you want to blow up the team? I don't think so...

Attrition aside, there will be tweaks on both sides of the ball.

Sean gave Rob some new toys last year, this year it's his turn.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Agreed, we just need to add some speed at LB, CB and WR, and some beef at OC, and add tallent and depth everywhere else.

Also everyone loves Collins, but I'd rather have a FB/RB hybrid like a Snelling or Tolbert. Someone who is a legit run threat. I'd kill for a young Tony Richardson.

The main difference I see between your typical championsship teams and the2013 Saints is that we shoot ourselves in the foot on offense. Elite teams do not.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Can't help but think that the majority of the bullets came from the O line...

Armstead played well yesterday though. Future looks bright there.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

The main culprits were stagnate starts, early mistakes, bad O-line play, and drops.

The O-line play was the glaring problem in my opinion.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

A legitimate physical TE is needed for sure. Graham is a legitimate red zone stud and is probably best suited to play the roll of a number 3 WR. Noticed the running game did not even start to get going this season until Ben Watson was playing more. As much as I love Graham, he is a complete blocking liability and also does not do much of anything when he gets physical coverage on the line.

Of course more secondary and linebacker help is needed.

Some depth at OL, maybe Charles Brown can push for the RT job???

As for WR I do believe some upgrades are necessary, but may already be set. Can probably get one more good year out of Colston and Moore, I think Stills can become a number 1 type of receiver. Throw in Morgan returning from injury, and bring back Meachem for another year.

Oh yeah, lets not forget about the kicker... lol

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

I don't think the better players is as big of a problem as you are making it, we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

I think the Saints could upgrade on the OL, tackle, guard (depth) and center for sure

But I thought they played pretty well yesterday. The Seahawks are a great defense. That's what they do. Is there an OLine in the league that dominates them in Seattle? We got over a hundred yards rushing and Drew was only sacked once. He was hurried a LOT but it's the freakin Seahawks.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Agreed- we have not had a big play game changer on either side since Bush and Sharper.
We really do not have ANYONE that is one touch and gone.

I know everyone points to upgrading DB as a glaring need, but I completely disagree. Look at the results we got with the personnel we had, and then look at our IR. We played 3 safeties in nickel coverage this year. Imagine C Rob or White instead.

My fix: get the best O-linemen available, either a C or T. DLP's time has come, and Armstead was passable, better than Brown. However, if we can upgrade either position and give Drew an extra half second to get through his reads, we can get back to where we were.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Funny stuff. I will sum up the issues like this: pass protection, pass protection, pass protection and pass protection.

The Brees and Graham comments on here are absolutely hilarious. :mrgreen:

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Oline, I never liked strief after he got the starting role. Cb, always can't go here.and upgrade the lb.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Matthew, I agree with the need to acquire a physical blocking tight end. But I think our depth at tight end is good enough. With all the financial issues we have, I doubt that we will see major moves at this position.

Also, if Payton did not move Brown over to the RT when he inserted Armstead into the starting lineup, I think Brown's time is over on this team.

I think Brees will restructure his deal. Remember, I think it does affect the cap in future seasons.

I think they will resign Jenkins, but most or all of your list of players I do think will go.

I don't know how Darius Heyward Bey makes our receiving core any better. Beason I believe plays inside, so I'm not sure where he fits into the defensive picture.

I like D'Anthony Thomas, but I worry if he will be one of those guys at the next level who is always questionable every week... then again in this sport who is not questionable.

I'm okay with Payton continuing to call plays. I don't think it was his best season, and there are major changes coming offensively with this team. We could do worse.

I've been saying this for weeks now. Our receivers just don't get separation down field anymore. Plus, I think a lot of the vets who play major roles on the receiving core are getting a little long in the tooth. I think Stills is going to be solid moving forward. I'm not sure about Morgan (need to see how he comes back from injury), and Toon.

There are still financial issues that face this organization, but Loomis has figured out how to bring in quality talent under a tight squeeze on the cap. Lets see what happens this off-season.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Ryan Clark? Dude I think you're going overboard. He's like 35 years old. Thats not happening. Malcolm Jenkins will be back.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

+1 ... we have a lot of good competition at the safety spot. No need for old man Ryan at this stage of his career.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

QB - Restructure Brees' contract immediately.

RB - Keep Ingram, Robinson, and Thomas. Let Sproles and Cadet walk.

FB - We need a hybrid like Danno said.

WR - We need a legitimate #1 that has the speed to take the top off the defense and command double teams. I'd probably let Meachem and Moore walk. Keep Colston and Stills, and rebuild from there.

TE - Resign the graham cracker. He soft, but hes still good.

LT - I like it. Armstead.

LG - I like it. Grubbs.

C - Get DLP the **** out of here. Sign Mack or the boy from GB.

RG - I like it. Evans.

RT - Make Strief a back up like he should be. Michael Ohr?

DE - We good.

NT - We good

LB - We need speed. I'm not sure about Lofton and Hawthorne anymore.

CB - We need somebody opposite of Lewis. The boy out of Tennessee is nice.

S - Vacarro and Bush? Yep. Let the other fools be back ups for cheap.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Of all the things people will complain about it was the o-line, IMO, that truly held us back. We need a stout center is what we need.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

We defiantly need Bush back, he is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

There is just no way we're going to sign Alex Mack. I don't think a lot of you realize just how bad our cap situation is. Trust me, I'd love to have him, but he's one of the best centers (if not THE best) in the league, and his contract will back that up. We can't afford to pay anybody the big bucks besides J Graham.

I hope and pray we resign Rafael Bush and Strief. I also think Cadet needs to go. Will Smith needs to be cut as well.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Maybe, Mack will probably get around 5 to 6 million per season. It's steep but doable.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Perhaps. I certainly hope so. That might mean having to cut some old favorites (like Greer and Moore) but if we could get Mack I would be willing to part with those two.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

1) O-Line
2) DB
3) BIG WR
4) Championship. :D

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

It's still early but some moves I would like to see...

1) Restructure Drew's contract. Make his contract so he's getting more guaranteed. Last year the Giants restructured Eli's contract so that he got $9 million of his $10.75 million up front and only counted for $1.75 million against the cap. We can easily do this with Drew where he gets all his money owed but with a much smaller cap number.

2) Draft a WR who has the potential to be a #1. Kelvin Benjamin is projected to go right around when we're picking. He's a big, strong, athletic WR that can open the field and get off the press coverage that really hurt this team this year. The refs seem to be allowing DB's to get a little more physical and our WR's have a tough time getting separation, we need someone like Benjamin.

3) Draft another CB to play opposite Lewis. As much as I like Greer, at his age coming off the injury he suffered I fear he may be done. White got some experience and can play the Nickle but we need another guy. I'd like to see use use an early round pick for this position.

4) Improve the O-line, particularly at center and RT. Armstead showed me something at LT and we're solid at the Guards but we could use some upgrades and depth here.

5) Get a little younger and more athletic at LB. Hawthorne and Lofton are solid vets and should still be on the team but I'd like to see us add some athleticism to go along these guys.

6) I'd like another safety to go along with Vaccaro. I think we should resign either Jenkins or Harper (not both, I'm leaning towards keeping Jenkins). We also definitely need to resign Bush (who could start next year) but adding another player here with a mid round pick would be a good idea.

7) Time to let some vets go. Smith and Vilma are no brainers. After these 2, either Harper or Jenkins. Some others are Brown, DLP, either Moore or Meach and one of our RB's.

8) Resign Jimmy Graham. I don't get all the hate for this guy. 31 other teams would love to have him on their team. Teams are just all over him because we have no other WR who can get downfield. Pair Jimmy with a WR who is physical enough to get off jams and opposing defenses would have no chance.

9) Find a kicker. Really wish the kid from FSU was in this draft, that kid can kick. I'll admit, I don't know much about kickers in the draft and the ones that are free agents but we need to get someone here who can kick.

Overall it's really not that much. Some tweaks that can be addressed in the draft and free agency. We got a great core to build around, now time to get some extra pieces to bring this team to the next level.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

1 and 2 I agree with. 3. I doubt us letting go of Jenkins and Roman but Meachem can be replaced by either Stills or Morgan both are younger. 4 I doubt happens. Only rb I see going is cadet. Everyone else is solid. Sproles is still valuable and who knows if someone as good falls to us in the draft. 5. I rather us resign bush and get some oline help or maybe another cb with lewis potential. 6. As much as Kelvin sounds good we should draft the best player available and not for need so much especially because we have a history of drafting studs late. I believe the crowd played a factor in those delay of games but we need a new special teams coach asap. We have been weak in that area for some time.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

I agree with most of what rez said except for getting rid of JGraham.

After watching the SF and CP game , which was just what I had hoped to see and thought I would, the Saints need to come out with attitiude of wanting to win. 1st qrtr. 15:00 on the clock.
No, I do not mean antics of chest thumping, fighting, not that.
I mean coming out strong, hard, fast and with few turnovers to the other teams.

I know turnovers happen. It is the game, but Saints seem to make way too many turnovers to the other team.

Turnovers and starting the game so slow in scoring and momentum killed the Saints yesterday and at least during the season against NEPats and CPanthers.
Coming back after 2nd half when you are a good ,say, 14 pts. behind is usually too late unless you have luck , which is not a guarantee , or you are I-do-not-know-how -they-do-it Brady and PManning.
Andrew Luck and Colts really fought back and it work and good luck too.

Looking at SF, they totally destroyed, broke the CPanthers down. Early on.

I think SF will destroy SS AGAIN.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

Get rid of Jimmy Graham? My side hurts.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

OL has a ton of FA so i expect some upgrades at least depth wise. Mack will get close to million on the open market. expect a bidding war. will he want the pay day or go for less and win? Some really solid ROT/OG are in the draft this year.

legitimate #1 WR is glaring and has been for years. Colston is a Z WR in our offense not a #1

Defense needs bigger and faster OLBs. We are just to small.

DL need quality depth added.

CB need a solid #2 with size and speed. We also need to get a developmental player to bring along.

FS we need hands size and speed.

The draft has almost all the needs this year for us,

Once again to reduce the cap the best means of attack is through the draft.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

How is Haralson at 255 and Galette at 258 too small? That's a pretty standard 3-4 OLB size...

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

DHB is doing nothing for the colts no thank you. We need a stud and he is not that.

Re: Solutions for 2014
 

You can't expect the same thing next year by tweaking. Every season is different and there are gonna be burnouts. We have had injuries, and yet to have important players be healthy two years straight. What if Colston or Moore get hurt next year? Can we trust Morgan? Considering the division we are in, even though Carolina won it this year we are still gonna be the team gunned after especially after Carolina's performance at home today. Everyone in the division is out to get us more than anyone else.