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

It appeared the New Orleans Saints created a significant hole in the defense's starting lineup after releasing middle linebacker Curtis Lofton earlier this month. Saints coach Sean Payton had a plan in place, however, and said Wednesday David Hawthorne will shift over to replace Lofton.

The Saints retained Hawthorne, who initially looked to be a prime candidate to become a salary cap casualty, this offseason. He agreed to take a pay cut and the Saints unloaded Lofton, who was set to count more than $9 million against the 2015 salary cap.

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

I like it.

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

Weakside ILB is where Ellerbe had success in Baltimore so that's a good idea.

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

So, Ellerbe and Hawthorne get to play the position where they exceled before.........it sounds like a recipe for success. I am so tired of moving someone to a position because there is a deficiency at the spot.

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

hes better in coverage than lofton

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

Championship!

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

if Ellerbe pans out, huge help

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

This is all pre-draft though... I'm sure if we draft a guy like Stephone Anthony or Benardrick McKinney we could see things play out differently.

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

This is initially where I pictured him fitting in the Saints' defense back when the possibility of signing him first surfaced. Then I was really surprised when they also signed Lofton, who seemed like someone with a similar skillset and best fit to play the same spot as Hawthorne.

Hopefully Hawthorne can regain some semblance of his good form with Seattle, although it's years and couple of injuries later.

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

Hawthorn played OLB in a 4-3. JR was at DE. So if we go 4-3 that will put 2 ILB'ers out of place if we run a 3-4 both need to stay on the inside.

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!

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

That all sounds great on paper. The front 7 is lacking a star. This sets us up to use each pick on the best player available. I think teams screw up in the draft trying to draft for needs. Certain years there may not be many good prospects at a particular position. Was Stanley Jean Baptiste the best player on the board when we picked him last year? I know Jarvis Landry was available and he looks great. He'd pair perfectly with Cooks. But like I've said, Payton doesn't draft LSU players. This year I'd love to see us take Collins, Kwon Alexander, Hunter and even Kenny Hilliard with a late pick. I heard the Pats have drafted a ton of LSU players in the last several years. Recipe for success and awesome for the fans. A WIN WIN!

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

Biased much?

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

Not one starter for the pats in the superbowl last year was a former LSU player

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

But there was one from Alabama!!! Roll Tide!!!:p

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

:poke:

:roflmao:


Au Contraire, Mon Frère!

Brandon LaFell, WR for the New England Patriots at NFL.com

Brandon LaFell Stats - New England Patriots - ESPN

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady all-time leader in postseason touchdown passes - NFL Videos

Super Bowl Can't-Miss Play: Livin' La Vida Loca LaFell - NFL Videos

And previously, BB had a ton of LSU talent ranging from Faulk to Ridley.

:handguns:

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

Not drafted by Bill though.
That was the comment i was referring to was that the Pats drafted loads of LSU players in the past couple of years.

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

I think this a smoke screen. I believe they have in mind to pick someone out this year draft to start in the Lofton's old position, Ellerbe & Hawthorne will compete for that weak side position

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

This

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

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

Its quite possible that both Ellerbe and Hawthorne could be back-ups by mid-season or earlier.

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

Let us hope so...