Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

(Mike Triplett)

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton had a funny analogy when describing his team's free-agency courtship of safety Jairus Byrd.

Byrd
"The risk is just like asking him out on a date," Payton said Wednesday at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla. "He might say no, and you have to be comfortable in trying to go after someone and approaching. ...

"In the case of Jairus, it was one of those where from afar, you just keep waiting. 'Alright, who else is waiting? Who else is going to visit with him first?' Or, 'His plane has landed? OK, perfect.' And you celebrate that process when all of a sudden there's a decision that's been made."

The Saints wooed Byrd with a six-year, $54 million contract -- the richest ever for a safety in the NFL. As for why they were so determined to land the three-time Pro Bowl safety, Payton said it was more about his specific skill set than targeting the safety position in general.

Payton said Byrd's ball skills and his ability to generate turnovers (22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in five years) are what made him so appealing.

"Every season you guys hear us say, 'Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers.' So you really begin to value those guys," Payton said. "The ball finds them. [Byrd] is one of those players that seems to be around the ball a lot."

Asked about the evolution of the safety position in the NFL, Payton said it's clear that more money is being invested now -- as opposed to the money that used to go to running backs, for example.

"I'd say the importance of good secondary play has grown. The amount of passes and things they're defending now with the rules changes, it's kind of a ball up here and having ball skills," Payton said. "Offenses play close attention to ball skills on the other side of the ball and really attack those players that don't have it."

Payton of all people should know that -- since he's one of the NFL's most aggressive attackers on offense.

The Saints have now invested in two standout safeties over the past two years, using their first-round draft pick last year on Kenny Vaccaro, who had a stellar rookie season.

One of Vaccaro's great strengths last year was his versatility. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan moved him all over the field -- in slot coverage, in deep coverage, sometimes as a pseudo-linebacker. But that was partly due to injuries. And now that Byrd is entrenched as the Saints' free safety/center fielder, Payton said Vaccaro's role should be even more defined going forward.

"As for Jairus and Kenny, I think there's a clear vision of how we want you use them, and that's important," Payton said. "Kenny played in a lot of spots last year. I think he'll play in less of those spots this year. ... That vision this year will be a little more clearer."

Why New Orleans Saints asked Jairus Byrd out on 'date' - ESPN

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

"Kenny played in a lot of spots last year. I think he'll play in less of those spots this year. ... That vision this year will be a little more clearer."

There is the impact of this signing. next up who will do that slot work? Kenny? or will there be some activity in the CB rotation?

i love this signing. see it pays to ask that beauty for a date after all.

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

Good question about the slot. I've been running things in my head about the 3 S set. With basically 2 SS and 1 FS I'm thinking that with our DL that we have, that a cover ILB may not be needed but another thumper added in with Lofton in the middle to stop the run with White and a SS sliding down to controll the slot. This 3-3-5 look can be carried out a long way. I'm starting to think another SS being added with another DT. If we go thumper ILB I want Andrew Jackson. SS Calvin Pryor(can play FS if Byrd goes down) . Hageman in DT would give us the best DL in the NFL. Rob Ryan has confused my normal thought process altogether, that guy is smart. I know we will give a bunch of different looks 4-3,3-4,3-3-5 but with a few more solid additions our D could really be a top D. Last year our D played well and as the stats give( stats I don't think tell the story of things) our secondary a #4 ranking I would totally disagree with that and our lb. ranking much higher than they should have been, Ryan was able to hide some of our weaknesses for quite some times, this season we might actually be in the top 10 in real life not stats.

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

stats = real life :confused:

just like points per game(4th w/ 19 per game); doesn't get more "real" than that

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

I like the idea of playing a 3 saftey set.

Basically play the way the Seahawks did... cheat to up to the line to press or blitz.

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

amazing how a single addition changes thing up. but that freaking area in the seam between ILB and nickle CB drove me nuts all year. ok a pet peeve of mine all of the off season. I think your right we can get away with it but i would love to see the saints seal that route for good. ILB IMO is what the QB keys off in that route against us. either a fast quick CB or a ILB that is also quicker and faster in coverage would do it on those passing downs. but i think we can minimize the pain with what we got

You really like the kid out of Western Kentucky, Andrew Jackson. you have brought him up more than once.

SS Calvin Pryor would that be sweet if he fell into our laps?
Deone Bucannon would be a great pick up also in round 2
Brock Vereen Minnesota in the late rounds might be a great steel

Hageman DT/DE - solidify the rotation for sure.

i have to agree with that statement. he hid them well till he played coaches that knew him. Pats and Jets for example. the defense is a work in progress for sure. a few pieces here and there and we might have something really special.

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

I'm looking at it this way, if you can't seal the seam when they make the play you have 2 punishing ILB to make them pay for it + hard to run on. It drives me nuts to, a weak area that needs fixed. I know Pryor is a big if falling to us but I have the option of playing with house money.

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

any player that drops into your lap needs are thrown out the window. BPA all the way

Re: Why Saints asked Byrd out on 'date'
 

Agreed!!