hagan714

The New Orleans Saints made their assistant coaches available for the first time this offseason in pre-draft interviews with WWL radio and the team website last week. I already detailed the highlights from the Dennis Allen interviews in this post and Rob Ryan interviews in this post.



Here are some more notables from assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr.:

Exhaustive pre-draft work: Vitt stressed the importance of the Saints’ 2015 draft class, citing a number of reasons: their total of nine picks overall; the fact that they’re in a “semi-transition” after releasing so many longtime veteran leaders over the past two years; and the fact that “we don’t ever want to pick (as high as) 13th again.”

“Our coaching staff, our scouts, we’ve seen more players in person on the road, interviewed more players, watched more film, did more cross-checks on players this year than any time I’ve been here, and maybe any time in 37 years in the National Football League,” Vitt said. “We have left no stone uncovered this year. We know the importance of this draft. ...

“These players are gonna be part of the foundation.”

Vitt on pass-rushers: The Saints have been hard to please when it comes to drafting edge rushers and linebackers throughout the Sean Payton era. They had never drafted any in Rounds 1 or 2 in Vitt’s tenure until this year, when they drafted inside linebacker Stephone Anthony in Round 1 and outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha in Round 2.

Joe Vitt: Saints put more work than ever into 2015 NFL draft class - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

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"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

papz

That was both encouraging and depressing to read at the same time. Encouraging that we put so much time and effort into this draft and depressing that we didn't as much for all the previous ones.

dam1953

My thoughts exactly. Maybe that's the problem with our "D". It appears that they follow the lead and don't put the maximum effort every week.

Rugby Saint II

I realize that it costs more money to do more research. But come on, Why haven't we put this much effort into it before? Aren't we the team that always seems to find small school gems? I thought our pre draft research was better than anyone else.

RaginCajun83

Felt this about Junior most of last season

ChrisXVI

Junior was one of our only defensive players trying last season. Hate on his use of social media and his struggles against the run, but the guy was one of the few who showed up last year.

Beastmode

I think he meant we had more picks and not just low round picks either. A lot more to sift through. I don't believe we previously were just going through the motions in other drafts. This draft could also be a complete bust as well. All that extra effort may not even pan out.

RaginCajun83

Please keep Anthony and Kikaha away from Vitt as much as possible, why am I am already having bad dreams of Vitt derailing these guys careers

Euphoria

I don't have a problem picking 13th or higher. Trade up, get picks... get up there and get one.

saintsfan1976

What?

So losing seasons are palatable now?