Danno

It seems that with the new era of free-agency a team can improve by making only 2 or 3 key personnel moves.
Just for fun, which 3 positions would you upgrade via free-agency to improve the Saints. Assuming the staff has been adequately replaced, which is actually step 1 in the improvement process, here's my list

OFFENSE
1. RT- Replace Victor Riley. Good RT's don't grow on trees but I imagine an upgrade here is possible simply by pulling names from a hat. A B-plus RT in free-agency should do the trick.
2. QB- This team needs a new identity. While AB isn't the main problem, a change would do both he and the Saints some good. Kitna would be an adequate choice. brees would be awesome. Getting Jake back wouldn't hurt my feelings either.
3. OG-Our "deep and talented" O-line has looked anything but. Holland and Jacox look like back-ups and I imagine Nesbit just elbowed his way into the starting line-up. Bring in a solid OG to challenge for a spot. If Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson had a baby it would be Deuce McAllister. Give him a Chiefs/Packers type O-line and he'll fly past 2000 yards by week 14.

Honorable mention:
TE-But with our history of picking FA TE's I'd just leave this alone for a while. I thnk we could destroy Tony Gonzales career.
OC-If a stud OC becomes available move LeChuck back to RG.


DEFENSE
1. SLB-I think this single upgrade is the key. Even if its an aging vet with only a few years left. I dare say this spot has been more disappointing than the 1-tech DT.
2. DT- OK, the Sullivan experiment will be discontinued when the new sherriff arrives. A solid run stuffing nose tackle (you know, what Sully was supposed to be) would allow the other 3 spots to shine. Add a Ted Washington type to the mix and D-line problem solved.
3. MLB-While I think Watson will be a solid player, I think he could also be moved to any of the othe LB spots. Bring in a proven MLB even if he's on the downside of his career, let Watson start at WLB and back-up MLB.

Honorable mention:
SS-Mitchell is still a question mark, but safeties are a dime a dozen in the draft.
WLB-Not as bad because out of Watson/Rodgers/Bockwoldt/Grant, one should step up.
FS-T$E, One injury away from Bellamy/Gleason, ughh.

fact-o-bake

Danno I like your answer a lot.
As a matter of fact I just deleted my choices because they matched yours too closely. The only difference I have is I would definetely move LeCharles back to RG, and find a savy veteran to make the O-line calls at center. I think If Kendyl, Montrae, and Jamar all compete for the other spot they will improve....... in theory

4saintspirit

While I agree with your offensive moves --- I would spend all of my money on defense -- both in free agency and the draft. This may be dreaming but I find the talent level on our offense good enough and have to hope the new coaching staff can get them to play to their talent level. The defense on the otherhand has the talent to be better than they played but not enough talent to really compete. I would find a true nose tackle -- a top notched middle linebacker and another starting corner. Only when I accomplished that would I look towards our offense.

\"I have a photographic memory -- I just don\'t have any film.\"

MatthewT

The first spot for me would be the QB position. AB is not the entire problem, but I agree a new identity is needed. I would target Lions QB Mike McMahon. Then I would sign Brad Johnson, Jon Kitna, or Trent Dilfer for insurance. Follow that up by drafting a QB late in the 2005 draft.

Second, I would work on the defense. I would target the DT spot. Not sure who would be available, but would look for a proven run stopper.

That would be about it for free agency. I would not rule out signing a handful of second tier guys at any position to compete. Next would be the draft.

1st pick- Best available player unless it is a QB, RB, or DE. If this occurs, I would trade down.

Overall, for the first day of the draft I would hope to land a top LB. I would probably draft at least two LB\'s on day one, then draft another DT and S. Second day of draft, I would draft a CB early, then TE, and QB.

WhoDat

Well, I assume you mean personnel moves, which IMO are less important than front office and coaching. I think a LOT of the player problems stem from poor coaching. I think the O-line is better than its been playing, the D-line too. I think our WRs are better than they often play, and our young LBs give me some reason for hope. That said, I\'d do this:

Offense
1. Sign Deuce to a LONG-term deal that keeps him in NO... forever.

2. Renegotiate with Horn and keep him here for another 3 years.

--- Changes/Acquisitions ---

3. LT and RT. Our tackles suck. No doubt Riley is the lesser of the two, but Gandy really wasn\'t that good when we brought him here and he\'s only gotten older and slower, IMO.

4. New QB. If Brees is a realistic option, go for it. If not, find someone to compete right now if you can - a backup somewhere. If neither are viable options, draft for the future.

5. Find a BIG physical over-the-middle type WR with really soft hands.

Defense
1. Find a big boy at DT who isn\'t worthless. Find that run stuffer that can actually make an impact. With a true bigman, Green, and Young in a platoon, with the possibility of Whitehead and Howard moving inside on passing downs, the middle should finally be secured.

2. Sign a stud MLB. A true impact guy. Move Watson outside and let Bockwoldt, Rodgers, Allen, Hodge, and Cie Grant battle it out on the outside. Ruff might stay as a backup at MLB.

3. Find a shutdown corner. With a top-flight corner on one side, McKenzie might go to the Pro Bowl playing opposite.

To me, 3 players on defense and this team is set. I maintain that the problem IS NOT TALENT on D, it\'s COACHING. Just look at things position by position:

DE: Grant, Smith, Whitehead, and Howard (if he isn\'t let go - if so, draft a DE somewhere).
DT: FA, Green, Young... the one spot we really need help and depth.
LB: FA, Ruff, Watson, Hodge, Allen, Rodgers, Bockwoldt, Smith, Grant (maybe). Again, one FA here and this position is loaded with talent.
CB: FA, McKenzie, Craft, Brown, Thomas, Ambrose, Montgomery
S: Bellamy, Tebucky, Mitchell, Gleason??

The problem is coaching. If everyone of these guys plays up to POTENTIAL, instead of underachieves, the Saints have a top 10 D IMO.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

BrooksMustGo

I think this is a good topic. So I decided to try and be as concrete as I can with it, but I decided to break it down by 3 free agency moves, 3 draft moves and 1 trade.

In free agency:
1. LB--my personal favorite move would be to back the Brinks truck up in Baltimore and sign either UFA Adalius Thomas or Edgerton Hartwell or even both. However, Chris Claiborne, Tommy Polley and Kendrell Bell are all UFAs this year. I wouldn\'t be against going after RFA Scott Fujita or Quinton Caver from KC.

At any rate, I\'d like to sign 2 of the above guys and let Watson start outside.

2. RT--With Riley gone, we need to at least replace this position. Ryan Diem from Indy is an UFA and with Harrison, Edge and just about everyone else in a contract year, I\'d make a serious move to get him. But Stockar McDougle from Detroit is also an UFA this year.

3. DT--Seth Payne from Houston is an UFA this season. Since he\'s playing NT in a 3-4 scheme, he could be a huge addition for us.

Tempting if we can make it happen--
FS--Will Demps, Baltimore is an UFA this year.
C--Dominic Raiola (Det) and Casey Rabach (Bal) are UFA\'s this year. I agree with moving LeCharles back to RG.
QB--Mike McMahon is an UFA and would be a good move is we can deal Brooks.
WR--Plaxico Burress is an UFA and if we lose both Horn and Pathon, Plax might be a good move, but he\'s a BIG risk, I wouldn\'t sink huge money on him so someone else probably will.

Trade:
Brooks to someone for a player and picks.
I bet we could deal him to the 49ers for their #1 and Kwame Harris.
Brooks to Arizona for Karlos Dansby and a #2.
etc

Whatever we do with Brooks determines the draft
But I\'d try to do something like:
1. LT
2. LB if we only end up with 1 LB in free agency
3. WR

Tempting if we get good value:
S
G
CB

http://www.blackandgold.net/site/signature/buddysig.jpg

Euphoria

I thought it was 3 moves not 50...

3 moves I would make:

1. Bring back Randy.
2. Bring back Randy.
3. Bring back Randy.

shadowdrinker_x

My opinions will differ slightly from others..

1. SS - this has been a position of question for too long now..It needs to be resolved..get us a big time guy..a leader..NOW

MLB - Agian..it had been in question too long..get us a smart player..who can be a field coach for the younger lb\'s we allready have..and let them grow...

CB - ...the only reason i say this instead of DT is , I thnk we are solid enough on the D-Line to be competitive..(with the addition of a revamped backfield)..instead of trying to ease the job of our defensive backs by providing pressure,..provide cover.. And make the QB\'s have to wait for his routes to develop..Give any line enough time..and they can get through..

On Offesne...

C - move bentley back to guard...and get a solid Center...

QB - Not necessarilly to come in and start..but..to at least compete..and have an option if Brooks starts playing like he has thus far...

LT - not some ancient sack of blubber...A guy we can build around..It really doesn\'t have to be a 1st rounder..just someone witt the size and smarts to be at the very least..trainable..

that\'s really all we need in my opinion..just draft for what we need..even if there is an amazing RB that noone has taken and we have the chance..just get what we need..don\'t try to get fancy..

saintswhodi

My only problem with this shawdow is seeing how much the Chargers got for Eli. IF we are in a position to draft a player that is coveted by other teams, I say we take a shot and see if we can fleece someone. This team hates to spend money on free agents apparently so it will be up to the draft to make us better. Dangling a rb carrot in front of a needy team might help us in the future. Of course this would have to be worked out beforehand in the war room AND we would have to have no shot at Derrick Johnson or Rolle.

shadowdrinker_x

If there is one thing that sitting through the torture of last years drafts has taught me..DON\"T GAMBLE WITH YOUR PICKS...Take who you need NOW...only a solid deal for a quality, experienced player to be given for a draft pick would be an option..I am sick of seeing the staff try to look like they got some sort of plan to get value picks , by waiting for the next round to get a guy they should have gotten this round...no more...unless a deal that is too good to refuse comes across..like the sort of thing like we did with washington for ricky...other then that..get what we need now...no more tricks