Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves

WhoDat!656 · 12-15-2014, 08:27 AM

METAIRIE, La. -- It's painfully obvious that the New Orleans Saints' offseason moves haven't panned out. And when a season implodes like this, it's natural to go back and question every decision.

But breaking them down individually, it's still hard to slam a single one of them.

Here's a look at all the major moves the Saints made, and how they've impacted this 5-8 season:

Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves - ESPN

blackangold · 12-15-2014, 08:55 AM

I think the lackluster season was spurred on by the relaxed approach to training camp and the pre-season. Our starters never had a chance to gel, we played 1.5 qtrs of the pre-season with both starting teams. They never had the chance to work with each-other and learn to trust each-other. I am mainly talking about the DBs, and what compounded their issues was no true leader being in the locker room, even Lewis only had one season with the team.

Talent wise the only difference between this year and last year is at DT, you could argue across the board we are better aside from DT (losing Johnson and Foster really hurt).

EDIT:
I think it's important to say that Byrd was by no means a bust, there is a lot of talk about him not playing well in the first 4 games. The truth is Byrd lead the team in tackles and turnovers through the first 4 games, he couldn't cover-up for so many mistakes being made around him. I think he played well considering the scenario and poor scheme for the first few games. Your starting Free-Safety should never lead the team in tackles like he did.

Also, I believe if Byrd was healthy we would have at least 2 more wins this season (DET, SF).

saintsfan1976 · 12-15-2014, 09:04 AM

Good article.

Clearly miss Greer.

Counted on the young guys to step up. Hasn't happened.

2nd & 3rd draft picks in 2014? Head-scratchers.

Good news is this team can be lethal next season with a few, key players.
CB
C
DL
LB
WR

hagan714 · 12-15-2014, 09:23 AM

I still like the core leadership going forward with
agree

Signing Byrd: New Orleans' mega deal for the free-agent safety was their biggest, boldest move -- and it has been a colossal disappointment so far. Byrd played poorly along with the rest of the defense for four weeks, then he suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice.

Disagree his supporting cast in the secondary and LB corps have been his biggest issue IMO. look at the second level of the bills defense then look at ours. sorry night day. even on the day we signed him.

Trading Darren Sproles: This was the only move I questioned at the time --

we all did

Trading up for Brandin Cooks: So I applaud the decision to trade up for Cooks in the draft's first round, even more than I did at the time.

Luke warm but understood. But after spending so much on Byrd it just stumped me. I was hoping they would have done all they could to make the investment work. no i did not see it working from the day we signed him unless we upgraded across the board

Other draft picks:
Luke warm but understood for the most part. once again after spending so much on Byrd it just stumped me. then the 6 safety stunt? never saw that working either either. glimmers in a pile of mediocrity sure. Kenny a true SS? that is another project unto itself. SJB not on the field with a depleted secondary and street walkers playing ahead of him? the rest? we will see

Releasing Lance Moore: Maybe the Saints could use Moore since their downfield passing game has been shaky, and he was so reliable for so long. But they have decent depth, so he would have been more like a fourth receiver -- just as he is in Pittsburgh.

this i kinda expected. Drew has had such a huge turn over at WR i feared the loss of a comfort blanket like Lance would be missed. Plus he was our best and as it turns out our only WR that could play the middle of the field.

Mike Triplett? Hindsight 20-20?

maybe for mike but if i remember right he was one of the main reports beating the super bowl and "best team on paper ever" drum in the pre season.

just say your sorry and stop covering up the fact you blew it and mislead everyone

"never be satisfied always demand for better"

NonieT · 12-15-2014, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by hagan714

I Mike Triplett? Hindsight 20-20?

maybe for mike but if i remember right he was one of the main reports beating the super bowl and "best team on paper ever" drum in the pre season.

just say your sorry and stop covering up the fact you blew it and mislead everyone

"never be satisfied always demand for better"

Triplette didn't blow it and he wasn't the only one that said it. He did qualify it by saying "on paper." Don't blame him if things aren't working out the way we all hoped.

AsylumGuido · 12-15-2014, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by hagan714

Trading Darren Sproles: This was the only move I questioned at the time --

we all did

I never did, and still don't. Sproles was a major reason for the decline of the Saints running game. His presence or absence on plays became a sure giveaway to the defense of a run or pass. In addition, his production had steadily decreased since his stand-out 2010 season. The decline in production has continued with the Eagles.

Yes, he was outstanding in his first year with the Saints totaling a record 2,696 all-purpose yards. But that dropped to only 1,577 in 2012 and 1,273 in 2013. Even this season he has only managed 1,112 APY and that is even with a career high 35 punt returns through last night's game with the Cowboys. Oh, while he did produce a running TD his numbers were three carries for five yards, two catches for eight yards and one return for one yard. That's a total of 14 all-purpose yards!

Nope, don't miss him one iota.

lumm0x · 12-15-2014, 10:44 AM

I don't second guess one move in the Saints off season. So easy to do so today but at the time they were all the right moves with maybe the exception of the Sproles trade.

99% of people thought that Byrd was that missing piece to put a top 5 defense over the top. Trading up to get Cooks was the elite speed play maker that would offset the trading of Sproles and also overcome the loss of Moore.

To me there just wasn't anything we didn't address in the off season on a team that was ripe to challenge for a Super Bowl. Hell dozens of media experts had us 11-5 or better and many had us as the Super Bowl selection winner. No one thought we would fall off this bad. No one.

halloween 65 · 12-15-2014, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I never did, and still don't. Sproles was a major reason for the decline of the Saints running game. His presence or absence on plays became a sure giveaway to the defense of a run or pass. In addition, his production had steadily decreased since his stand-out 2010 season. The decline in production has continued with the Eagles.

Yes, he was outstanding in his first year with the Saints totaling a record 2,696 all-purpose yards. But that dropped to only 1,577 in 2012 and 1,273 in 2013. Even this season he has only managed 1,112 APY and that is even with a career high 35 punt returns through last night's game with the Cowboys. Oh, while he did produce a running TD his numbers were three carries for five yards, two catches for eight yards and one return for one yard. That's a total of 14 all-purpose yards!

Nope, don't miss him one iota.

I don't miss him either.

SaintsBro · 12-15-2014, 11:24 AM

Contract with Galette? Mystifies me still, and may have caused some of our off field problems....

I was high on Byrd at first, but frankly, having read and learned more about it, between his knee, and his back surgery, and his EXTENSIVE injury history (if you dig into the files and go back and look at is), I'm starting to question that move. At this point I think it's still premature to speculate if we will ever see him suit up in a Saints uniform, in a regular season game, period. Forget about the knee for a minute, back injuries are very often the sort of thing that guys don't come back from, the same way they were before they went down.

Sproles? They are 9-5 with him and we are 5-8 without him. You can play fox and the grapes with that one, and say that we didn't really want him, or need him, maybe so, maybe not. But good thing that Cooks is back there returning punts, and Travares Cadet has been tearing it up out there on the field, eluding defenders with his speed and quickness, that's made us all forget about Sproles. Wait what.

AsylumGuido · 12-15-2014, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by SaintsBro

Contract with Galette? Mystifies me still, and may have caused some of our off field problems....

I was high on Byrd at first, but frankly, having read and learned more about it, between his knee, and his back surgery, and his EXTENSIVE injury history (if you dig into the files and go back and look at is), I'm starting to question that move. At this point I think it's still premature to speculate if we will ever see him suit up in a Saints uniform, in a regular season game, period. Forget about the knee for a minute, back injuries are very often the sort of thing that guys don't come back from, the same way they were before they went down.

Sproles? They are 9-5 with him and we are 5-8 without him. You can play fox and the grapes with that one, and say that we didn't really want him, or need him, maybe so, maybe not. But good thing that Cooks is back there returning punts, and Travares Cadet has been tearing it up out there on the field, eluding defenders with his speed and quickness, that's made us all forget about Sproles. Wait what.

Byrd never had any back injury. The procedure he had done was 100% preventive in nature. He had a narrow opening on one of his discs that could have eventually led to pain more intense than he sometimes experienced. It was a very minimally invasive procedure that simply expanded the opening to relieve any potential problems. The procedure is very common and is almost always 100% successful with absolutely no aftereffects. His back is not an issue whatsoever.

Oh, and have you taken a look at his injury history? The only time he missed anytime whatsoever was in 2009 with a groin injury. He has not had any issue with the groin since. His only other appearances on the injury report dealt with the same minor stuff of which EVERY player deals.

Jairus Byrd Injury History

12-15-2014, 08:27 AM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,062	Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves METAIRIE, La. -- It's painfully obvious that the New Orleans Saints' offseason moves haven't panned out. And when a season implodes like this, it's natural to go back and question every decision. But breaking them down individually, it's still hard to slam a single one of them. Here's a look at all the major moves the Saints made, and how they've impacted this 5-8 season: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves - ESPN saintsfan1976 likes this.

12-15-2014, 08:55 AM	#2
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves I think the lackluster season was spurred on by the relaxed approach to training camp and the pre-season. Our starters never had a chance to gel, we played 1.5 qtrs of the pre-season with both starting teams. They never had the chance to work with each-other and learn to trust each-other. I am mainly talking about the DBs, and what compounded their issues was no true leader being in the locker room, even Lewis only had one season with the team. Talent wise the only difference between this year and last year is at DT, you could argue across the board we are better aside from DT (losing Johnson and Foster really hurt). EDIT: I think it's important to say that Byrd was by no means a bust, there is a lot of talk about him not playing well in the first 4 games. The truth is Byrd lead the team in tackles and turnovers through the first 4 games, he couldn't cover-up for so many mistakes being made around him. I think he played well considering the scenario and poor scheme for the first few games. Your starting Free-Safety should never lead the team in tackles like he did. Also, I believe if Byrd was healthy we would have at least 2 more wins this season (DET, SF).

12-15-2014, 09:04 AM	#3
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,846 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Good article. Clearly miss Greer. Counted on the young guys to step up. Hasn't happened. 2nd & 3rd draft picks in 2014? Head-scratchers. Good news is this team can be lethal next season with a few, key players. CB C DL LB WR Danno likes this.

12-15-2014, 09:23 AM	#4
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves I still like the core leadership going forward with agree Signing Byrd: New Orleans' mega deal for the free-agent safety was their biggest, boldest move -- and it has been a colossal disappointment so far. Byrd played poorly along with the rest of the defense for four weeks, then he suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice. Disagree his supporting cast in the secondary and LB corps have been his biggest issue IMO. look at the second level of the bills defense then look at ours. sorry night day. even on the day we signed him. *Trading Darren Sproles: This was the only move I questioned at the time --* we all did *Trading up for Brandin Cooks: So I applaud the decision to trade up for Cooks in the draft's first round, even more than I did at the time.* Luke warm but understood. But after spending so much on Byrd it just stumped me. I was hoping they would have done all they could to make the investment work. no i did not see it working from the day we signed him unless we upgraded across the board *Other draft picks:* Luke warm but understood for the most part. once again after spending so much on Byrd it just stumped me. then the 6 safety stunt? never saw that working either either. glimmers in a pile of mediocrity sure. Kenny a true SS? that is another project unto itself. SJB not on the field with a depleted secondary and street walkers playing ahead of him? the rest? we will see Releasing Lance Moore: Maybe the Saints could use Moore since their downfield passing game has been shaky, and he was so reliable for so long. But they have decent depth, so he would have been more like a fourth receiver -- just as he is in Pittsburgh. this i kinda expected. Drew has had such a huge turn over at WR i feared the loss of a comfort blanket like Lance would be missed. Plus he was our best and as it turns out our only WR that could play the middle of the field. Mike Triplett? Hindsight 20-20? maybe for mike but if i remember right he was one of the main reports beating the super bowl and "best team on paper ever" drum in the pre season. just say your sorry and stop covering up the fact you blew it and mislead everyone "never be satisfied always demand for better"
	"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins Last edited by hagan714; 12-15-2014 at 09:25 AM..

12-15-2014, 09:44 AM	#5
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Originally Posted by hagan714 I Mike Triplett? Hindsight 20-20? maybe for mike but if i remember right he was one of the main reports beating the super bowl and "best team on paper ever" drum in the pre season. just say your sorry and stop covering up the fact you blew it and mislead everyone "never be satisfied always demand for better" Triplette didn't blow it and he wasn't the only one that said it. He did qualify it by saying "on paper." Don't blame him if things aren't working out the way we all hoped.
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921

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12-15-2014, 10:37 AM	#6
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Originally Posted by hagan714 *Trading Darren Sproles: This was the only move I questioned at the time --* we all did I never did, and still don't. Sproles was a major reason for the decline of the Saints running game. His presence or absence on plays became a sure giveaway to the defense of a run or pass. In addition, his production had steadily decreased since his stand-out 2010 season. The decline in production has continued with the Eagles. Yes, he was outstanding in his first year with the Saints totaling a record 2,696 all-purpose yards. But that dropped to only 1,577 in 2012 and 1,273 in 2013. Even this season he has only managed 1,112 APY and that is even with a career high 35 punt returns through last night's game with the Cowboys. Oh, while he did produce a running TD his numbers were three carries for five yards, two catches for eight yards and one return for one yard. That's a total of 14 all-purpose yards! Nope, don't miss him one iota. Danno, ChrisXVI and brees84 like this.

12-15-2014, 10:44 AM	#7
lumm0x Resident antediluvian Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,026	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves I don't second guess one move in the Saints off season. So easy to do so today but at the time they were all the right moves with maybe the exception of the Sproles trade. 99% of people thought that Byrd was that missing piece to put a top 5 defense over the top. Trading up to get Cooks was the elite speed play maker that would offset the trading of Sproles and also overcome the loss of Moore. To me there just wasn't anything we didn't address in the off season on a team that was ripe to challenge for a Super Bowl. Hell dozens of media experts had us 11-5 or better and many had us as the Super Bowl selection winner. No one thought we would fall off this bad. No one.

12-15-2014, 11:04 AM	#8
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I never did, and still don't. Sproles was a major reason for the decline of the Saints running game. His presence or absence on plays became a sure giveaway to the defense of a run or pass. In addition, his production had steadily decreased since his stand-out 2010 season. The decline in production has continued with the Eagles. Yes, he was outstanding in his first year with the Saints totaling a record 2,696 all-purpose yards. But that dropped to only 1,577 in 2012 and 1,273 in 2013. Even this season he has only managed 1,112 APY and that is even with a career high 35 punt returns through last night's game with the Cowboys. Oh, while he did produce a running TD his numbers were three carries for five yards, two catches for eight yards and one return for one yard. That's a total of 14 all-purpose yards! Nope, don't miss him one iota. I don't miss him either.

12-15-2014, 11:24 AM	#9
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Contract with Galette? Mystifies me still, and may have caused some of our off field problems.... I was high on Byrd at first, but frankly, having read and learned more about it, between his knee, and his back surgery, and his EXTENSIVE injury history (if you dig into the files and go back and look at is), I'm starting to question that move. At this point I think it's still premature to speculate if we will ever see him suit up in a Saints uniform, in a regular season game, period. Forget about the knee for a minute, back injuries are very often the sort of thing that guys don't come back from, the same way they were before they went down. Sproles? They are 9-5 with him and we are 5-8 without him. You can play fox and the grapes with that one, and say that we didn't really want him, or need him, maybe so, maybe not. But good thing that Cooks is back there returning punts, and Travares Cadet has been tearing it up out there on the field, eluding defenders with his speed and quickness, that's made us all forget about Sproles. Wait what.
	Last edited by SaintsBro; 12-15-2014 at 11:30 AM..

12-15-2014, 12:54 PM	#10
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Hindsight 20-20, but it's difficult to slam Saints' offseason moves Originally Posted by SaintsBro Contract with Galette? Mystifies me still, and may have caused some of our off field problems.... I was high on Byrd at first, but frankly, having read and learned more about it, between his knee, and his back surgery, and his EXTENSIVE injury history (if you dig into the files and go back and look at is), I'm starting to question that move. At this point I think it's still premature to speculate if we will ever see him suit up in a Saints uniform, in a regular season game, period. Forget about the knee for a minute, back injuries are very often the sort of thing that guys don't come back from, the same way they were before they went down. Sproles? They are 9-5 with him and we are 5-8 without him. You can play fox and the grapes with that one, and say that we didn't really want him, or need him, maybe so, maybe not. But good thing that Cooks is back there returning punts, and Travares Cadet has been tearing it up out there on the field, eluding defenders with his speed and quickness, that's made us all forget about Sproles. Wait what. Byrd never had any back injury. The procedure he had done was 100% preventive in nature. He had a narrow opening on one of his discs that could have eventually led to pain more intense than he sometimes experienced. It was a very minimally invasive procedure that simply expanded the opening to relieve any potential problems. The procedure is very common and is almost always 100% successful with absolutely no aftereffects. His back is not an issue whatsoever. Oh, and have you taken a look at his injury history? The only time he missed anytime whatsoever was in 2009 with a groin injury. He has not had any issue with the groin since. His only other appearances on the injury report dealt with the same minor stuff of which EVERY player deals. Jairus Byrd Injury History

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