Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

Can anyone identify a LB that sucked here and developed elsewhere? Or a LB that excelled elsewhere but sucked under Vitt's coaching?


Joe Vitt isn't the problem. We suck at drafting LB's, period.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

Good point...

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

True, but the constant position switch could not have helped matters

Going from MLB to OLB then to DE in spags scheme, I personally think he could have developed nicely at OLB.

It took junior 4 years to get on the field.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

We always seem to reach for linebackers.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

I would agree that we have never made that position a priority, but to say Vitt isn't the problem is absurd.

At the very least he is a large portion of the issue. What has he done in the last 10 years which justifies him being on the staff still.

Furthermore, we have had 6 different DCs in the last 10 years but Vitt and Johnson remain on the staff... How does that make sense?

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

Rob Ninkovich is the only one that comes to mind.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

Reggie was the right pick. Lots of extreme highs and lows but he had to be accounted for by defenses at all times. He could make a defense look like a glitch in a video game at times.

We are going heavy D this draft. DL or LB it's going to happen out the gate.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

I think they should have stuck Wilson in the middle next to Lofton. He couldn't stop the run but he could cover.

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

It's the coaching, or lack thereof, from Joe Vitt...

With all the linebackers we've drafted, even if they weren't first, second rounders, we should have had one that stuck and was at least serviceable...

2006 R5 OLB/DE Rob Ninkovich, Purdue
2007 R7 LB Marvin Mitchell, Tennessee
2009 R4 LB Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest
2011 R3 LB Martez Wilson, Illinois
2011 R7 LB Nate Bussey, Illinois
2013 R6 DE/LB Rufus Johnson, Tarleton State
2014 R4 LB Khairi Fort, California
2014 R5 LB Ronald Powell, Florida

A pretty pathetic list, but here's where I still put this on Vitt...

One, the assistant coaches are as much of the draft evaluation/decision-making as the scouts (who Joe Sr. has made sure Joe Jr. has a job with the Saints)...

Second, not even a backup or special teamer in there, not one?!?

Vitt needs to go; reassignment of duties at the least...

Re: Triplette: Why can't Saints develop linebackers?
 

Vitt probably does valuable work behind the scenes in the assistant HC role, which is why I'm hesitant to see him given the boot. But, I'd like to see them hire someone else to take over the LB coaching from Vitt seeing as they aren't opposed to increasing the staff numbers i.e. the hiring of Allen.