Re: We should have seen this coming
 

I doubt Ryan is the issue. Let us think for a moment, lots of high draft picks devoted to defense, a ton of free agent money spent, and some excellent coaches. Gary Gibbs, Gregg Williams, Steve Spagnuolo, and now Rob Ryan. Since 2006 that is 4 defensive coordinators, overall success very minimal, despite all the work, money, and draft picks devoted to the defense.

It is very puzzling. We know Sean Payton can coach, we know Mickey Loomis can build a team, so what gives? With all the talent the Saints have acquired since 2006, why only 1 Super Bowl and besides the Super Bowl season only one other trip to the NFC Championship game? We all know the answer is the defense has basically not held up, the question is why???

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

2013, 11-5
2012, 7-9 (No Payton, Spags at DC)
2011, 13-3
2010, 11-5
2009, 13-3
2008, 8-8
2007, 7-9
2006, 10-6

I think we can say the Saints have been very successful over the years. Its been a decade since the Patriots won a Superbowl and they are easily the most dominant team of the last 15 years.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

Too much money wrapped up in a offensive line a QB doesn't help matters. As great as its been at times (see 2011) if you are spending big money in the line and QB cuts are needed elsewhere. Some of the contracts to Harper/Smith etc didn't help.

Not trying to start the old Brees hold out/Harper can't cover conversations but it is what it is. We have not had a great LB since Vilma was at his best in 2009. I like Galette but he is a one trick pony and if that trick isn't working he is as useful as a rocking horse in the derby.

The team is far better than its playing but I do wonder if uts at the tail end of a run and needs some major rebuild work.

Of the teams expected to compete for the Superbowl who gets on other teams?

Do any of our LBs start for 49ers/Seahawks/Broncos/Pats?

I think the front 3 could start anywhere.

The safeties should be the best trio outside of Seattle. Kenan Lewis is good enough to start anywhere but isn't a game changer. Robinson im not going to start on, though to be fair the major lack of getting to opposing QBs isn't helping any of the secondary. SJB, White are still learning.

Grubbs, Evans and Brees are eating up $38.5ml in cap this year and $47 next (yes we all know restructuring will happen). Closing in on a third of the cap on three players is madness.

We are going to need to restructure release plenty next year as we stand at nearly $160ml against the cap now without a new deal for Cam.

Galette cap hit is $15ml which is insane.

Some players cap (player-Cap in 2015- dead money)

Colston - 9.7 - 5.4
Lofton - 9 - 5
Bunkley - 6.1 - 3.2
Hawthorne - 6 - 3
Evans - 11 - 9
Grubbs - 9.6 - 6

Now I get that Loomis spins the figures well but eventually you either have to pay the dead money or overpay for a few years while the dead money reduces. Some of those figures are insane for what is produced on field. Evan Colston who has done so much ismt a $9ml receiver now. Brandon Marshall, Victor Cruz, Eric Decker, Roddy White, Anquan Boldin and Emmanuel Sanders will all be earning less next year.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

Our LB's

Lofton-Atlanta let him walk
Hawthorne-Seattle let him walk
Haralson-49ers let him walk
Humber-Colts let him walk

LB is the weak link in my opinion. It seems other teams get by with back-up and no name CB's all the time so I'm not believing Robinson drags our DB's down that much.

There's not a single LB I listed above that would net us a mid-round draft pick if we traded them. Not one.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

Drew's contract is 3 years old now and the time for it being the whipping horse for everything has passed.

Presently that contract is not in the top 2 QB or the top 5 player cap hits. It is no longer an elite contract by the leagues standards, and isnt any sort of shackle.

There are 6 Quarterbacks that are 1m away in either direction from Drews Cap hit... Its a top 25% contract and that is about it.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

He had Greer last year and doesn't this year. Some nubtard though PRob would be able to handle it. We can't keep the experiment going. Put White at corner with Lewis and run 3 safeties.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

If I remember correctly, Hawthorne and Lofton lead their teams in tackling the year before the Saints picked them up. The Saints out-bid Seattle and Atlanta and traded with San Francisco so their respective teams didn't let them walk. They're just sub par LB's.

Re: We should have seen this coming
 

We'll see, the D is off to a horrible start no doubt, but let's not hang Ryan just yet.
I totally agree with Danno, LB's are a definite weakness, most of our discussions are about no pressure from the front four or terrible pass coverage, the converstaions about the middle is almost non-existent this year.