VegasSaint9

I think we need to make a lot of changes this off-season starting with positional coaches, special teams, defensive line, linebackers, and it appears we're searching for a new secondary coach already. Ryan can stay or go I guess he deserves another shot, it might be better than bringing a new scheme for our players.

Then we need to restructure/cut some veterans Colston, Grubbs, Evans, Hawthorne, let P-rob go.
We don't have a lot of high priced free agents, maybe Ingram will take a discount. I don't think we plan on keeping him, nor do I truly think it matters since we're good at finding RBs.

Free Agency and the Draft are going to be what makes or breaks our season this year. We have to nail every aspect of the off-season this year to have a good season.
We don't need anymore free agent splash pick ups. We need just solid depth across the board. I think a veteran corner would be perfect for our team, someone who doesn't need to be groomed, and can just play solid football, they really do not have to be elite or even great. Just able to get the job done. Possibly get another low priced veteran corner. Get some offensive and defensive line players for depth, maybe a linebacker to replace hawthorne or be a solid backup for someone we draft. Then resign Haralson if possible as well, I hope we draft someone who can replace him, but he would be a solid backup.

Then the Draft should look a little something like this. (I don't exactly know who to draft where in this draft quite yet so i'll name positions.
1. BPA at DT DE/OLB or ILB maybe OL if theres a good prospect.
2. CB or the opposite of what we draft round 1 (ILB DT, or OLB)
3. OG/T
4. LB/DE (did i mention our front 7 is horrible?)
5. CB/RB/WR
6. OG/T
7. More of the same^^^

This draft is going to either make or break the 2015 season, and seasons to come, we need impact players now. Solid players who can get the job done, none of those "oh he was injured for his whole college career, but would've been a top 10 pick." We're not terribly far from being a good team again, but a lot has to happen in order for our team to be successful again, and for it to be able to build off that success.

Danno

Good stuff, but its pointless before free agency

Here's what I hope

Shore up weaknesses through free-agency with mostly mid to upper tier guys at...

CB (maybe 2 of them)
DT (maybe 2 of them)
OLB
OC
OG
WR

Draft...

BPA at any position except P, TE, FB, LS, FS, SS, QB

CharityMike

You forgot kicker

VegasSaint9

Hopefully we draft one in the 6th or 7th round. I dont think that would be an issue for most of us considering how we've needed one for about 4 years...

Danno

I think we signed a young stud kicker a few weeks ago didn't we?

ChrisXVI

Yep, good ol' Anthony Hoffman... I think that's what you called him lol.

vpheughan

A young stud kicker? Like the one who kicked at far away Tulane, under the noses of the Saints. That says it all.

Rugby Saint II

If Payton is able to cut ties with a couple of coaches......namely Vitt and McMahon it will be huge for turning this program around. Both the O-line and D-line coaches aren't turning out any gems and should be looked at closely along with all defensive position coaches. The WR coach Henry Ellard is gone and his replacement is probably still coaching in the playoffs and will get the phone call from Loomis soon enough.

The Saints also need to make some purges in the scouting department as well. The current scouts fail miserably at evaluating defensive talent at the collegiate level and need to be replaced or given some additional help.
It would be good if we could get some talent from the 49'ers coaches and scouts. It's possible that some of the coaches from the Jets might have something to offer.

Going into FA my hopes are that the Saints will bring in a number two CB that is ready to compete full time and a DT to get that pressure up the middle that we need. We may also need to bring in a RB if Ingram is leaving but that could be addressed later in the draft. A couple of mid to upper tier free agents could give us the chemistry that we are missing now and give us that veteran leadership we so sorely missed this year.

We have an opportunity to draft better talent this year picking at #13. If we pick a top ILB'er in the first round and draft O-line from there on out then I'll be happy.

Seriously though the Saints don't identify secondary talent worth a damn. We need to stay away from these positions early in the draft. I hope that they take the top DT in the draft to solidify that position going into next year. Stay away from WR no matter how sexy that pick is. We can't afford any draft picks to be anything other than a priority. The Saints to find replacements for our top positions of need and WR is not a top priority. ILB'er, DT and O-line are.