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Starting today and continuing throughout the next several weeks, Big Easy Believer will be looking at the positions on the New Orleans Saints football team that following their disappointing 7-9 finish in 2014, have been referred to as “gaping holes”.

Our first installment of this mini-series of articles this morning will focus on the Linebacker position, one which based on how often they were outright GASHED by opposing running backs last season, literally screams out to be upgraded — and quickly.

Fixing the Saints Part 1: A Make-Over of the Linebacker Unit

Jack Vegas

Good article.

Perryman intrigues me. I like the mental part of his game. Reminds me a lot of Lofton, and I mean that in the best way.

Upgrading the linebacker group is an interesting scenario because we're not really committed to either 4-3 or 3-4. There are a lot of ways to go. Keeping Haralson and continuing to develop Edebali seems like a good path. The main thing is finding someone to upgrade the Hawthorne position. That IMO is the weakest part of the defense right now - yes even weaker than #2 corner.

MarchingOn

I agree on Hawthorne (and Haralson). Hawthorne so needs to be replaced. 2nd string at best.

Re-wind and watch whenever we are gashed by runs or simply give up 5 yards right up the middle. Hawthorne has already run into the trash to take himself out of the play. Our #2 CB sometimes held down the fort.

Rugby Saint II

This is a pretty good analysis of the LB'er weakness. The O-line article is good as well. It's an informative series.

Cruize

Thompson, Beasley, or McKinney in the 1st and Perryman in the 2nd would fix the LB problem. CB in the 3rd. C or G in the 4th. RB, T or WR in the 5th. Kicker in the 6th. FB Fowler in the 7th. Cut some high salaries. Restructure Brees. Don't have a Country Club setting for camp. Get some attitude. Grow some stones. Bring back home field advantage to the Dome! WHO DAT!

jnormand

Great article. Agreed that LB needs upgraded and I'd be happy if they addressed that in the first round. But I also wouldn't complain if they addressed offensive line, defensive line or CB.

We really need a good draft this year.

hagan714

Except for Gallete, no other Saints player who lined up on the outside was capable of providing a decent pass rush with the notable exception of the rookie UDFA Kasim Edabali out of Boston College, whom the Saints hopefully will give more playing time next year.

Right here i start thinking the over valued and over glorified sack impact. not a lot of good if all you need to do is let the guy take himself out of the play. ok back to reading.

not a bad read.

none off the FA will meet our cap without Micky pulling another huge wabbit out of his hat and strapping us again next year

ILB Bernardick McKinney of Mississippi State
Denzel Perryman ILB, Miami - not sold on him just yet
Vic Beasley of Clemson - reminds me Jr

Alvin Dupree OLB Kentucky - interesting upside all the way type of pick
OLB Dante Fowler of Florida please no. question his motor

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

lsutigerfan

I think LB is the weakest position on this team. I wouldn't mind if we took LB's in the first two rounds of this draft.

IMO Shaq Thompson is gonna be a star, take him in the first. Take either Denzel Perryman or Nate Orchard in the second. Hope Malcolm Brown falls to the third and address the OL through FA.

WillSaints81

I'm worried Shaq is a project because of the school.

Mr.Riaton

I like drafting this high because in the second round,we're high enough to catch some good 1st round talent that falls through the cracks. If we go LB in round one,we should have a good shot at getting a quality O lineman or even another good LB in the second. I guess it all depends on how we approach FA.