The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

RB Marcus Murphy out of Mizzou was one of the highest ranked KR/PR in the draft. Murphy was a prolific returner during his college career. He averaged 29.6 per kick return and 10.4 per punt return his senior year. In comparison, the Saints averaged 25.9 yards per kick return and 7.1 per punt return last year, ranking them 30th and 31th in the league. Jalen Saunders joined the team during the latter half of the year and provided a spark in the return game. However, Saunders isn’t much more than a returner at this point in his career, registering 1 catch for 7 yards in two seasons.

Travaris Cadet was the primary kick returner the past three years but was mostly below average. The team tried Brandin Cooks at punt returner last year, but he never looked comfortable.

Murphy is a natural returner with fearlessness and vision. Murphy will never be a featured back he’s not a one trick pony. He’s a capable runner and even lines up in the slot. Murphy possesses excellent balance and is elusive, which makes him hard to bring down. C.J. Spiller has an injury history and he could fill in for Spiller in a pinch or rotate to save wear and tear on the former 1st rounder. If Murphy beats out Saunders as return specialist it would save a valuable roster spot elsewhere, which is huge because the team may have to keep 3 quarterbacks on the active roster this year.

The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

Sproles 2.0, gets north south good, can read a hole, nice cutback. that's 4rb's though...

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

I remember watching Marcus at Desoto High School (Dallas area school). Even then I thought he had above average vision. It will be interesting to see if he cracks the roster as a special teamer/return specialist.

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

Just an FYI...

The 2014 Saints offense had the worst starting field position (we had the farthest to go) in the NFL

They 2014 Saints defense had the best (opponents had the farthest to go) in the NFL.

I'm penciling this cat in as a lock for the final 53.

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

So you are saying we had a good punter and or coverage team?

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

Will be interesting between Murphy and Jalen Saunders

They are both good returners!

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

I think it'll come down to who can do more stuff for the team than just returning.

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

Great offense
Crappy defense

Great KO and Punt stats
Crappy KO and Punt Return stats

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

I thought Saunders was a lock......guess not. Training camp is going to be so much fun to watch competition at all the weak roster spots.

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

I'm all for shortening the field...

Another method is Strip-fumble sacks...Interceptions with returns...

Thought Jalen was doing a pretty good job for us...

Doesn't hurt to R-E-L-O-A-D with more weapons...

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

we picked a player that probably would have been a priority free agent so some one really wanted the kid and did not want to risk not getting him. they still had some talent on the board that would have filled needs better.

lets see what he has.

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

And that's really what those sixth/seventh round picks do for you...

Look, Ozzie Newsome was among the first to have went through the NFL's contemporary general manager trainee program...

Ozzie certainly got the inside scoop and favored son status when it comes to getting those invaluable compensatory picks...

Don't know much about darts, but I do know that the guy/gal that has more to throw will usually score more...

I look at our success with undrafted rookie free agents as late round pick success with a little salesmanship...

Don't think guys like PT, Khiry, Lance Moore, Josh Hill aren't used in the free agency market to sell prospects...

Late round picks are the guys you'd want an exclusive look though they've less than ideal chances of making the team...

Murphy's selection was a nice surprise as he has comparable measurables to C J Spiller, can contribute in a role and provide good depth...

Re: The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015
 

the old would a - could a - should a game.

at least it is in the 7th like you said. plus a buddy really sold this kid to me as the next coming of elvis. the king of that sixth sense in the return game. so worse case i get a 7th round pick to bust his chops about for years if it does not work out. If it does i will never hear the end of it.