Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

NEW ORLEANS – The NFL's final four – Seattle, New England, Green Bay and Indianapolis – highlight one incontrovertible reality: the New Orleans Saints have fallen from among the league's upper echelon.

I arrived at that conclusion long before this past weekend's divisional playoffs – or for that matter, the previous week's Wild Card round.

Watching the Saints stumble, bumble and even fumble (see the Week 1 and 16 matchups with Atlanta) their way to a 7-9 finish was all the evidence needed. The postseason has merely served to drive the point home.

Can the Saints bounce back? Of course. Are they close? Well, that's a question whose answer is far less obvious and, if answered properly, deserves more than a few words.

Therefore, before I delve into that one (and don't worry, I will), I'll first take a position-by-position look back at the good and bad of 2013, as well as what's needed moving forward.

Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

I agree, but not much of the same reason as the author... My thinking is that we should shore up the O-Line first before we worry about Drew's successor

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Yep, shoring up the O-line helps any and every QB. Drew needs interior protection more so than most. OG's and OC's aren't nearly as expensive as OT's.

We don't need to draft a successor yet, and probably not even next year.

You don't need 3 years to groom QB's today. Thats a myth. Most of the best QB's today started in year 1 or year 2.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

If we would have let some of our weapons go and concentrated on the OL we would not be having this discussion IMO. Jimmy is a great TE but not worth it. There was more value in protecting Brees and getting him role players. Watching the Pats and Manning this season...just seems like they have forever to sit back there for the most part. Brees has almost no time and his targets main targets have dropped a lot of balls this year. Two of his main targets are in the top 15 in drops.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Ryan Griffin

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Well said. That's why I don't understand the desire of some for another WR. I like what I saw in what we have and that's considering Brees not at his best due to what I believe is O line not giving him enough time. Get Brees comfortable again and watch our receiver corps explode. I like Graham and I don't hate that the Saints gave him that contract,but before he even got it,I was ok with the team letting him go in hopes that the money would have been spent upgrading the O line. I think Hill and Watson would have been fine.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Give Brees another 2 seconds in the pocket and our receivers will look world class.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

This is a hot topic because we see the younger QBs making a difference in the playoffs. If we could just pause the conversation about finding Drew's replacement and concentrate on shoring up the OL & the defense and put everything in to winning another championship in the next 2 years, I believe we will be o.k. for the short term.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

I think we gave him every opportunity, but he still couldn't beat out McCown. And 31 other teams looked and passed.
He is more of Palko than a Delhomme

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

exactly- score a top ten center and Brees' replacement will be Brees for the next 3 seasons

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

not sold on him as a starter. so far he has not shown much but a strong arm.

this years draft i really like one QB that is just like Drew. Pocket Passer. If there is to be a QB picked this guy gets my vote.

Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State 6-5 514 4.76

yep the QB that threw all the passes to Cook. His OL was not that good this year and it really effected his productivity. talk about an arm and talk about having touch on passes which Ryan has very little of. Drew is the perfect mentor for this kid.

on day three i can live with this pick

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Just went watch a few clips on him and I'm impressed. He definitely has an arm on him.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State, Ok, just don't wear that damn number 4.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

love the touch on the passes. he has a cannon for an arm but knows when to take some steam off the ball and drop it in.

like Drew he is not much of a runner and needs a pocket.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

Drew's successor is not on our roster yet that is a given. My concern is if Drew is injured that could kill a season right there. Say what you will but with decent protection he is still a QB that can light up any team. So the O-Line is super important and decides how long Drew's career lasts. We have played the QB roulette game before less we all remember it well.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

SO true.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

A stud center and a good guard would increase Evans productivity. He might even have another two years if his back holds up. When Drew has time Drew is as good as they come.

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

You know it!

Re: Saints offseason crystal ball: quarterbacks
 

If we can get a project in 5th or 6th round like the kid from Oregon I wouldnt mind so much. Hes only played 3 games but scouts are very high on him and say he has a big upside. Bring him along slow and if it doesnt pan out then it doesnt. In fact if they picked any QB late I wouldnt mind seeing our track record with late round picks. Would be awesome to find the next Brady.