Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

(Triplett)

A position-by-position look at where the New Orleans Saints stand heading into the 2014 offseason – ranked from 1-12 in order of the team’s need for upgrades or replacements.

Current depth chart:

P Thomas Morstead. Age 27, signed through 2018. 2014 salary and bonuses: $2.285 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $3.235 million.

K Shayne Graham. Age 36, unrestricted free agent.

K Derek Dimke. Age 23, exclusive rights to Saints through 2016 if he makes roster. 2014 salary $420,000.

RS Darren Sproles. Age 30, signed through 2014. 2014 salary and bonuses: $3.5 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $4.25 million.

RS Travaris Cadet. Turns 25 on Saturday, scheduled to become restricted free agent in 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $570,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $571,668.

Analysis:

Call me crazy, but I think the Saints should bring back veteran kicker Shayne Graham in 2014. Although he missed both of his field goal attempts in the season-ending playoff loss at Seattle, they were both very difficult kicks into heavy wind from 45 and 48 yards. Up until that point, Graham impressed me as a poised veteran. And he proved he was clutch, going 4-for-4 in a playoff victory at Philadelphia.

Every kicker will miss from time to time. The key is trusting that they’ll make 80-plus percent of them, and I think Graham is as trustworthy as any other candidate the Saints could find.

I think it’s possible the Saints feel the same way. As coach Sean Payton said after the season, “I think it is tough to evaluate a certain player such as a kicker, especially, in those kinds of conditions. I thought he came in and really did a great job for us when we signed him. But with regards to that position, it will be like anything else. We will have a chance to discuss and evaluate not only Shayne, but the future and other prospects that might be out there.”

The Saints might prefer to find a younger kicker that they could have in place long-term – like what they tried to create with Garrett Hartley during his turbulent six-year tenure in New Orleans. One possible candidate is Dimke, whom they signed to a futures contract earlier this month. Dimke spent time with the Lions, Jets and Buccaneers during the past two offseasons, making 8 of 9 field goal attempts in the preseason. But he hasn’t cracked an active roster yet.

The Saints are set with Morstead at punter. But they could certainly look to upgrade the kick return spots, which have been average at best in recent years. It might be worth using a draft pick or making a modest investment in free agency on an explosive return man who could create a spark in that department.

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Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

I would like to get a kicker (Morton Anderson 2.0) Dimke??
Sproles is really nearing the end and would trade for a draft pick while he still has value.
Morestead - well he can punt
Cadet- really suprized he was on the roster. What has he really done??

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

I wouldn't mind keeping Graham.. hes cheap and he's a Graham lol. Never go wrong with Grambeaux.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

We need a legit punt and kick returner, someone with blazing speed

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

I miss someone like Beerman or Bush back there returning kicks and punts.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

Special teams players are fine... We have the right tools.

The mechanic needs to go. McMahon

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

I couldn't hit the like button more than 1 time but I would have!! I don't remember the last time special ed. under McNothing give us a jump start.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

Well said, but an upgrade at KR/PR would be just fine with me.

And Shane Graham is a free agent.

Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

I said that with the thought that Kenny Stills has Receiver hands ( lowest drop rate on the team) and a 4.32 40yd (fastest 40 on the team). Return guy.

Morgan is 4.44
Henderson 4.36
Beer Man Lewis 4.34

Let kickers kick it out in camp and preseason.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 9 Special teams
 

There is nothing special about our special teams.....and it is all McMahons fault. He's really gotta' go, but Payton is loyal to a fault.