Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

Am I the only one that's not excited about Hawthorne being in the middle? I would think that if he was better in the middle than Lofton that would have been his spot...and that Lofton would have only been on the field on 1st and 2nd down...I haven't seem anything out of Hawthorne that makes me think this is a good move with our D line already being somewhat soft.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

I just wonder how Hawthorne's initial injury affected the whole trajectory his and Lofton's careers took with the Saints?!

Hawthorne wasn't able to battle it out with Lofton going into the their first season with the Saints and even when he was able to return to the line-up he didn't seem 100%. Maybe because of those events, Lofton was able to cement that mike spot for himself and the coaching staff saw him as the QB of the defense without really giving it a serious thought after that.

I'm probably just trying to be optimistic about the situation, and if the draft goes well Hawthorne might end up being a back-up during the upcoming season.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

Or maybe it's because Lofton wasn't as versatile as Hawthorne... Couldn't pay Lofton starter money to sit on the bench because he wouldn't have been able to play outside...

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

It is sounding like we have a plan & are heading in the right direction.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

My concern is that we had two guys battling for a position for 3 years, and we cut the winner. Unfortunately our 'plan' seems to be based more on money than ability.
And with this announcement, maybe SP is preparing us for who we take #1...doesn't seem like it will be a LB

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

I know it might seem that way... But like I said a few comments ago: the draft hasn't even happened yet. Moving Hawthorne to the Mike doesn't mean that he'll start there... It's just where he's slotted right now.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

We trusted Mickey to get us under the cap without tearing the team apart. He did that. Now we need to trust that COACH knows what he's doing, CUZ HE DOES!

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

he is over due to have the impact we all thought he would have when we signed him. fingers crossed.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

This is actually a fair point and something I ws just thinking after reading that other comment. Some guys can play more than one spot so definitely possible.

Re: Sean Payton says David Hawthorne will replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker
 

Not by much!