I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I see a lot of change on offense this year. I don't so far to this point understand why not much has changed to the other side of the ball You know the Real problem area. Where's the fire sale of defensive players should have been. We have a lot of draft picks now but you know we are gonna move up from 13 (Don't we pretty much always make a trade to move up on draft day) just don't see how while I like browner he's 30 now so he's a band aide short term we need to find a long term solution and Ellerbe has had one good yr. His claim to fame is he took over for Ray lewis and to tell the truth I just don't see how that is much better than what we had.


I don't know call me crazy but I think they blew up the wrong side of the ball

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Ball control does help the defense. If the Saints can get back to 50/50 ball the defense will not be on the field for 45 of the 60 minutes.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Good point. I think 2014 was just a year where a lot of players simply under-achieved. The talent is there in Jordan, Hicks, Galette, JJenkins, Lewis, Vaccaro, Byrd, Foster, Bunkley, Bush...

The glaring blinding gaping hole on defense was that #2 CB. I think we've addressed that partially with Browner and I expect more moves to come.

But you are correct, I expected more sooner. But its still very early in the off-season so there's still plenty of time.

First off, make Drew happy and keep him from running for his life. Improve the O-line and running game, which I think we did quite well so far.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I am sorry, we added a center and RB, right? On defense we added a LB and CB, seems like the same additions...

We also resigned humber on D as well. On d we have not (yet) resigned PROB, released lofton and c. white.

We are not even at the draft. There are holes on both sides, but the offense is one guard away from being really really good.



I think we have made moves all over the place

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Browner is an older CB,but he's a little more than just a band aid player. He's gonna bring toughness and leadership to this D and locker room. Remember,even though he's older,we should have plenty of money to work with in FA next year. We can possibly get our young stud CB( maybe even two) then.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

cb2 was a gaping hole, no doubt. the retirement of greer and whiff on champ hurt all year long

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I was hoping to see a lot more changes to the defense is all. I expected that White and Prob would be gone

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

i would not think of Browner as the #2 CB after watching him last year. put him on those big slower WR and TE. A true #2 WR? heck no. he will get burned all game long. sorry he will never let himself get burned he will take the flag and mug the guy before he gets burned.

A solid #2 CB in the draft is still needed IMO

as for the rest we need to wait for the draft to see what we got done, way to many players leaving from a position and way too many players added that do not fill those position.

so far i am holding my breath. it could be great or could go south real quick

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Corey white was released like 2 days ago.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

id like to see us add another cb and 2 lb's.. I hated losing walker, that sucks

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

It is but going to a 60/40 run heavy offense we needed to ensure wr's were blockers first and also good receivers and that's why we added spiller. Cooks, Colston and Toon can handle the wr's just fine. Ellerbe filled middle linebacker and I'm sure we're not done yet on defense

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

The conerbacks alone will help with our passrush...
We just couldn't cover anyone last year for ****

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

We've got two big, tall corners who can press and tackle. That'll give us time to allow the blitzes Ryan loves so much to get there. Like Danno said, the talent is there. Jordan, Bunkley/Jenkins, and Hicks doesn't sound like a great DL to y'all? How about Gallette and a true 3-4 LB in Ellerbe on the outside. Ellerbe is really fast for a LB too. I think he ran a 4.6. If anything, we just need some athletic ILB's.

Offensively, I wonder if Lelito will be our new LG or if we're still looking. I wanted Barksdale to take over at RT. As y'all know, I'm not a Strief fan. I do wonder if we could move Strief to Guard and let Barksdale play RT though. Our RB trio is pretty damn deadly right now.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Strief at 6'-7 is too tall to play OG, especially with a 5-10 QB.

One thing NFL Radio gurus mentioned about Unger was how he concentrated on consistently staying low and keeping the DT's low since Seattle had a short QB. Its a perfect fit for Drew.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I did read one reporter saying that the front office and coaches are quite high on Senio Kelemete,wether mean as a back up still learning or as a man that will fight for the job this year i dont know

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

True. True.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

We'll shore up the o-line in the draft. We may get a TE or WR in the draft as well. Besides that we need to go defense for most of our picks.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Dannell Ellerbe is head and shoulders better than what we had Lofton included. He is the first true sideline to sideline LB we've had since Vilma was fully healthy. As far as Browner, his true value will come from his knowledge and the fact that he will help police the other DB's. As far as the D-Line I think they'll benefit from a healthy motivated Cameron Jordan, when he's right he is unblockable. I still would like to see us draft Perryman from The U with pick#31, then we would have 2 sideline to sideline LB's. Sheer talent can make up for schematic breakups. I trust what the coaching staff is doing because they're making changes for the better of the team going forward. And whatever problems Browner had off the field, he's never been a lockeroom distraction. This team will be lightyears better than last seasons.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I think the masterpiece is not finished yet. 5 or so days into FA and we still have a draft and TC to go along with final roster cuts across the league.

ps love that avatar pic...nothing better than a hot partying babe!

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

You're crazy...

Browner is just as good as Lewis, they both could be number 1s on many teams. This was a great move for the locker-room as well.

Dion Sanders said we now have the best CB tandem in the league, when taking about CBs ill take his word over yours.

You realize he had everything thrown at him last year because Revis was on the other side right? Before that he had Sherman on the other side so he was still targeted all day. Two superbowls in two years... and for all this over-the-top BS, I am sure Byrd will love that...

As for your last sentence "could go south real quick", you can say that about anything.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

That was an excellent point. Revis one year, Sherman on the other. Constantly attacked.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Oh boy! We won't get beat deep again! We may get a penalty but that is the risk playing with Browner. I'm curious to see how we handle nickel and dime this year?

We've got a lot of tall corners on the roster so now we need that smooth back pedal and quick hips guy for the middle of the field.

And yes, defense is the PROBlem.:dunce:

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Hopefully Browner can take SJB under his wing and shiw him how to use his size etc

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I'm surprised most people haven't mentioned this. This could be huge for him to learn from Browner. Who knows maybe SP didn't want to throw him to the wolves just yet. Dixon and Frederick should be okay in the slot. I'd like one or two more CBs via draft and UDFAs just weed out the weakest link.

Edit: I completely forgot about the Breaux signing! I'm interested how he will turn out as well.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

i am stuck in Boston so crazy might be a bit strong. stupid works :p

The pats ran packages in coverage as they always do but Kyle Arrington played extremely well and was the one they picked on the most. but teams did not fear Browner. 18 penlites last year was an all time high since his rookie year. he is just a hand check DB to the extreme. you name the foul he committed it.

with that said i like the attitude he brings but in no way can he run with the speed a true #2 in the NFL. now to get past Browner jam at the line is almost impossible to do. he is smart and knows right of the bat when he gets beat and will mug the guy before he lets him run free. that is acceptable in my book.

Like Byrd he is coming from the AFC and that is not saying much. His time in Seattle was against some pretty sub par passing offenses also.

Put him on Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin all game long and the odds are very good he will shut them down. put him on Jimmy Graham and get the same results.

speed kills and quickness is his weakness.

Dion Sanders said? i will pass on that one

i will say it again i love the attitude he plays with despite the flags. flags are not always a bad thing and almost all of his are smart ones. but to keep the flags at a min keep him away from speed and keep him on the possession type of WR.

that is how the pats used him by season end

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

First, there's no "fire sale".
The Saints have traded 3 players, and in 2 of those trades, they got a player back. Of those 2 players, one is a LB, who played really well in Baltimore, but was palying in the wrong scheme in Miami. They have also signed a CB, and are waiting to hear from another. Yes, both are 30, but CBs and LBs are not RBs, and the NFL isn't Logan's Run. They are also bringing something sorely missing in the Saints defense: the nasty.

"... but the future..." The future in today's NFL is 2-3 years.

They have also released/not re-signed some defensive players who where under-performing in White, Walker, Lofton (and no, a bazillion tackles 10-15 yrds from the LoS does not mean you MLB is performing).

FA is not over.

Then there is the draft.

The Saints didn't "blow up" the offense.
* Graham and Stills are replaceable.
* PT (as much as I love him) was replaced by a younger, maybe better version of him (we'll have to wait and see what Spiller can do in Payton's system).
* The Saints sorely needed a center.
* Grubbs was under-performing and getting old, while behind him are what seem to be good, younger OL prospects in Kelemete and Lelito.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

You couldn't have made the deals you did shopping around/blowing up/fire sale-ing the defensive talent you had, so something has to give ... you're still a top five offense, added some veteran presence to the defense (plus a damn good veteran center, the most important position on the team other than QB, IMO) and now you got all these draft picks to play with, not too mention CJ Spiller, et ... IDK, all's I can say is "look at the bright side" ... Saints are gonna' be a much better team in 2015, :).

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Deion Sanders said Malcolm Jenkins was a safety because he didn't have the hips to play corner. We should listen to Prime when it comes to his position. The corner he raves about in this year's draft? Senquez Gholson.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Wouldnt mind him if he was there in the 5th.
He cant play outside in division games as imo he cant be put up against Jones,Evans etc. But he would be great covering the slot

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Saintshrimp being shopped to other teams.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

CFL is calling

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

There have been just as many releases on defense as on the offensive side of the ball... Lofton, White, and Robinson..... all gone...And, here's what I heard about the Jimmy Graham trade... is that Jimmy Grahams name wasn't the first name floated... The first name floated was Cameron Jordan... Seattle said no... So it's not like there not trying to unload some of there defensive players...

The bigger gaping whole to me has been the whole that exist because we don't have a true NT to this 3-4 defense... Teams where able to exploit the fact that we couldn't stop the run all year long after Brodrick Bunkley went down... I think the need for a Nose Tackle even supercedes the need for a speed LB... We can't get to those third and long situations because we have safeties playing LB and no NT to protect them from having to do it....

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I agree. If we run a 3-4 Jordan is a little light up front. I can't agree more about a true NT being needed. Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma fits that bill. I also think with the addition of Ellerbe drafting Miami's Perryman would make perfect since at ILB, run problem up the middle fixed along with D-line and lb. rotation.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

I heard a fair amount of both Kenny Vacarro and Cam Jordan to the Giants.
Especially Cam rumor

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

It wouldn't suprize me to see Jordan traded, he has really good value to a 4-3 team.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

You would have to wonder what a team would give for a player that will be a FA next summer.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Cam Jordan isn't the issue, the NT and RDE are the issues. Akiem Hicks is a perfect 4-3 Under Tackle or 3/4 NT, but he lacks the burst to be a 3/4 End. Therein lies the problem. Cam is the only player on the 3/4 D-Line who can set the edge and rush the passer. If they were looking at trading him it was for multiple picks. If we can get an adequate DE opposite Cam, then the D-Line becomes a strength. This is the reason we ran a 4 man front such a high percentage of the time. We need a true 3/4 DE, then we can rotate Hicks and Jenkins at NT.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I wouldn't mind letting Cam go... I just don't see how helpful he was last year, and might as well get for him while the getting can be had. Same with Kenny... I just wouldn't mind it. Hey if they're here I am their biggest cheerleader, but I feel like we can do better for 7 mil a year than Cameron... Now please tell me where I am wrong because I know there is something I am not seeing.

Re: I thought it was the defense that was the problem that needed fixing
 

Cameron Jordan, I think we might get a first, if not a first than a second or third and a player