don't know if this has been posted yet

baronm · 02-09-2005, 10:18 AM

Friday, January 30 2004 @ 04:30 PM CST
Contributed by: ggarrido

Saints will look to improve the Defense

Saints Strength and Weaknesses Offense Pro Bowl RB Deuce McAllister is the focal point of the offense and has shown a good mix of speed and power. The offensive line anchored by LeCharles Bentley is above average. Statistically, Aaron BrooksÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s play was as strong as any QB in the league. However, his knack for making mistakes, namely untimely fumbles, desperately hurt his team. The WR play was inconsistent and needs more production from DonteÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ Stallworth. Defense The strength of the defense is an inexperienced yet talented D-line. Charles Grant and Jonathan Sullivan, both first round picks, need to develop in a hurry. None of the linebackers can be classified as playmakers, which has made stopping the run a challenge. The secondary played better than expected last year but needs an injection of youth. Team Needs The off-season emphasis will be on improving the defense. The Saints need a run stuffing DT to replace Grady Jackson, a MLB that can hold the middle of the field, a cover corner to replace Dale Carter. On offense the Saints could use help at WR and reserve RB. It may also be time to think about replacing John Carney who had a difficult time with his kicking accuracy. Needs to be addressed in the Draft Look for the Saints to draft one or two CBs depending on free agency acquisitions. They will also look for help at LB and DT. The second day will focus on depth for the offense. Potential Free Agents First priority for the Saints is the signing of Darren Howard. He is the mainstay of the defense and his absence due to injury was noticed last year. Fred Thomas is also important to maintain stability in the secondary. He was the Saints best CB last year but is better suited for Nickel duty. The Saints should not break the bank to sign him but should make all reasonable efforts. Look for the Saints to attempt to sign a free agent CB to start. The top corners are unlikely to be made available (Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey and Chris McAlister), but if they are look for the Saints to take a run at one of them. The next tier of corners includes Antoine Winfield, Ahmed Plummer, and Shawn Springs (all ex Ohio St.). Two LBs that could be of interest are Edgerton Hartwell (RFA) and Al Wilson. Along the defensive line the Saints will look at Cornelius Griffen, Robaire Smith or Keith Traylor.

I say we do this:

trade howard for picks-say to the cahargers for a first and third or something like that.

then go linebacker in the first round. maybe channing crowder and davis for ss.

then in the second grab burneet at lineback or munoz,terry or britt at tackle antohter thought is

in the third grab: mike nugent, Meeuwsen, morrison

round four: MOATS..this kid torched auburn...

round five: stefon leflors, ronald feilds (goood leaderships skills, good against the run), Underwood

round six: Roger, purdue

basically we stockpile bodies at the safety and linebacker positions...

and in the FA-hovan, a good tackle, and a veteran linebacker to anchor our defense.

saintswhodi · 02-09-2005, 10:29 AM

Wait, you do know this is from 2003\'s team right? Please tell me you do.

LKelley67 · 02-09-2005, 10:29 AM

i like your thinking on fa/draft but i think you overlooked the post was from 01/04. i comment just that it shows how the problems are much the same as the ones not addressed adequately before last season.

saintswhodi · 02-09-2005, 10:34 AM

But the way you were highlighting players it made it seem like you thought we could go after these guys this year when most of them already have contracts with other teams. Like Winfield, Plummer springs, Smith, Griffin, and Traylor. I see NOW what you were trying to say, and the fact it is from 01/04 shows it was for the season ending 2003. I don\'t think I missed that at all.

baronm · 02-09-2005, 10:40 AM

no sorry for that--i meant to say that our team needs haven\'t really been addressed. Injuries are part of this, but also is trying to draft rawer players.

I think if grant can come back healthy we will be okay...

as for the players- sorry..I guess I was pointing out that look at what could have been..i\'ll make it clearer next time.

saintswhodi · 02-09-2005, 10:50 AM

No prob for me. I just wanted to be sure you knew it wasn\'t from this past season, but like I said I see what you were trying to do and it is right on. We still have many of the same needs, even though we somewhat addressed corner. DT is still a problem, but had we just drafted Kevin Williams..... So like you said, we have many of the same problems, and they can be traced to poor showings in free agency and poor drafting with an occasional decent player out of the whole mess.

baronm · 02-09-2005, 11:12 AM

I think with just a few smart moves and some luck we could really upgrade our talent level on defense and on offense:

offense NEEDs: a tackle or two, some depth at guard and center, and a good receiving tight end, backup rb and backup qb.

defensive needs: lInebackers, safeties, defensive backs and tackles.

trade howard, let pathon go, sign hovan for the DT, sign a good OT or two and a solid veteran linebacker.

in the draft: focus on linebackers, safeties and depth...

linebackers: i think if we could manage another first rounder we could get merreman, crowder, burnett, rudd....maybe more than one and then maybe morrison and others in later rounds (the guy from troy!!)

safeties-i\'m not so sure about davis..But there are more than a few competent safeties out there.

DB-there are some very good lower round prospects out there that could be brought in as backups.

rb-this is a deep rb draft-I really like moats, who torched auburn several times.

saintswhodi · 02-09-2005, 11:23 AM

I am all for getting Hovan. I do not think he is done. Howard could prob draw a second rounder at best, or depending on who is available for Dallas or San D. maybe a late first. If Rolle is on the board for Dallas at 11, they may be willing to trade their other first rounder so thay can draft him there. Parcells said he would not take a corner high because of the rules changes. But if Rolle is there, getting him and a proven pass rusher in Howard would be a coup for Dallas. Pathon is gone. Too much for too little. I think we can get by with just a LT. Move Gandy to right for a year. Of course his salary is a concern, so maybe we can get him to re-do. I don\'t know the penalty for cutting him but I don\'t think we can afford to.

I am not as high on DB as I am safety. I think we need a playmaker there if we address LB, T and DT through free agency and early in the draft. Maybe second round on a good safety and CB in the 3rd if not Rb, but we should be able to get a decent guy at RB almost anywhere in the draft.

baronm · 02-09-2005, 11:34 AM

am not as high on DB as I am safety. I think we need a playmaker there if we address LB, T and DT through free agency and early in the draft. Maybe second round on a good safety and CB in the 3rd if not Rb, but we should be able to get a decent guy at RB almost anywhere in the draft.

I think getting backup s for our db is more likely to be a need than starters.

I think linebackers should come first then safeteies..if we had to skip db then we\'d be okay.

a high second rounder for howard wouldn\'t be a bad deal either. maybe to the 49ers?

I think with a high second we could easily get frye and then later get our safety/TE...

ScottyRo · 02-09-2005, 11:54 AM

The off-season emphasis will be on improving the defense. The Saints need a run stuffing DT to replace Grady Jackson, a MLB that can hold the middle of the field, a cover corner to replace Dale Carter.

As far as whether we filled our 2004 needs on D, it looks like we completely whiffed on one (DT), halfway filled the next (Watson at MLB) and completely, albeit late, filled the last (MM at CB).

I think MLB is covered in 2005, but what this list missed even last year was our need for two starting OLBs. So, we need at least 3 contributors to our D. It\'ll be four if we don\'t get a quality DT cuz then we will even more need to replace Bellamy at S, if Mitchell cannot.

02-09-2005, 10:18 AM	#1
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	don't know if this has been posted yet Friday, January 30 2004 @ 04:30 PM CST Contributed by: ggarrido Saints will look to improve the Defense Saints Strength and Weaknesses Offense Pro Bowl RB Deuce McAllister is the focal point of the offense and has shown a good mix of speed and power. The offensive line anchored by LeCharles Bentley is above average. Statistically, Aaron BrooksÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s play was as strong as any QB in the league. However, his knack for making mistakes, namely untimely fumbles, desperately hurt his team. The WR play was inconsistent and needs more production from DonteÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ Stallworth. Defense The strength of the defense is an inexperienced yet talented D-line. Charles Grant and Jonathan Sullivan, both first round picks, need to develop in a hurry. None of the linebackers can be classified as playmakers, which has made stopping the run a challenge. The secondary played better than expected last year but needs an injection of youth. Team Needs The off-season emphasis will be on improving the defense. The Saints need a run stuffing DT to replace Grady Jackson, a MLB that can hold the middle of the field, a cover corner to replace Dale Carter. On offense the Saints could use help at WR and reserve RB. It may also be time to think about replacing John Carney who had a difficult time with his kicking accuracy. Needs to be addressed in the Draft Look for the Saints to draft one or two CBs depending on free agency acquisitions. They will also look for help at LB and DT. The second day will focus on depth for the offense. Potential Free Agents First priority for the Saints is the signing of Darren Howard. He is the mainstay of the defense and his absence due to injury was noticed last year. Fred Thomas is also important to maintain stability in the secondary. He was the Saints best CB last year but is better suited for Nickel duty. The Saints should not break the bank to sign him but should make all reasonable efforts. Look for the Saints to attempt to sign a free agent CB to start. The top corners are unlikely to be made available (Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey and Chris McAlister), but if they are look for the Saints to take a run at one of them. The next tier of corners includes Antoine Winfield, Ahmed Plummer, and Shawn Springs (all ex Ohio St.). Two LBs that could be of interest are Edgerton Hartwell (RFA) and Al Wilson. Along the defensive line the Saints will look at Cornelius Griffen, Robaire Smith or Keith Traylor. I say we do this: trade howard for picks-say to the cahargers for a first and third or something like that. then go linebacker in the first round. maybe channing crowder and davis for ss. then in the second grab burneet at lineback or munoz,terry or britt at tackle antohter thought is in the third grab: mike nugent, Meeuwsen, morrison round four: MOATS..this kid torched auburn... round five: stefon leflors, ronald feilds (goood leaderships skills, good against the run), Underwood round six: Roger, purdue basically we stockpile bodies at the safety and linebacker positions... and in the FA-hovan, a good tackle, and a veteran linebacker to anchor our defense.
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

02-09-2005, 10:29 AM	#2
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	don't know if this has been posted yet Wait, you do know this is from 2003\'s team right? Please tell me you do.

02-09-2005, 10:29 AM	#3
LKelley67 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: baton rouge Posts: 2,540	don't know if this has been posted yet i like your thinking on fa/draft but i think you overlooked the post was from 01/04. i comment just that it shows how the problems are much the same as the ones not addressed adequately before last season.

02-09-2005, 10:34 AM	#4
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	don't know if this has been posted yet But the way you were highlighting players it made it seem like you thought we could go after these guys this year when most of them already have contracts with other teams. Like Winfield, Plummer springs, Smith, Griffin, and Traylor. I see NOW what you were trying to say, and the fact it is from 01/04 shows it was for the season ending 2003. I don\'t think I missed that at all.

02-09-2005, 10:40 AM	#5
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	don't know if this has been posted yet no sorry for that--i meant to say that our team needs haven\'t really been addressed. Injuries are part of this, but also is trying to draft rawer players. I think if grant can come back healthy we will be okay... as for the players- sorry..I guess I was pointing out that look at what could have been..i\'ll make it clearer next time.
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

02-09-2005, 10:50 AM	#6
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	don't know if this has been posted yet No prob for me. I just wanted to be sure you knew it wasn\'t from this past season, but like I said I see what you were trying to do and it is right on. We still have many of the same needs, even though we somewhat addressed corner. DT is still a problem, but had we just drafted Kevin Williams..... So like you said, we have many of the same problems, and they can be traced to poor showings in free agency and poor drafting with an occasional decent player out of the whole mess.

02-09-2005, 11:12 AM	#7
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	don't know if this has been posted yet I think with just a few smart moves and some luck we could really upgrade our talent level on defense and on offense: offense NEEDs: a tackle or two, some depth at guard and center, and a good receiving tight end, backup rb and backup qb. defensive needs: lInebackers, safeties, defensive backs and tackles. trade howard, let pathon go, sign hovan for the DT, sign a good OT or two and a solid veteran linebacker. in the draft: focus on linebackers, safeties and depth... linebackers: i think if we could manage another first rounder we could get merreman, crowder, burnett, rudd....maybe more than one and then maybe morrison and others in later rounds (the guy from troy!!) safeties-i\'m not so sure about davis..But there are more than a few competent safeties out there. DB-there are some very good lower round prospects out there that could be brought in as backups. rb-this is a deep rb draft-I really like moats, who torched auburn several times.
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

02-09-2005, 11:23 AM	#8
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	don't know if this has been posted yet I am all for getting Hovan. I do not think he is done. Howard could prob draw a second rounder at best, or depending on who is available for Dallas or San D. maybe a late first. If Rolle is on the board for Dallas at 11, they may be willing to trade their other first rounder so thay can draft him there. Parcells said he would not take a corner high because of the rules changes. But if Rolle is there, getting him and a proven pass rusher in Howard would be a coup for Dallas. Pathon is gone. Too much for too little. I think we can get by with just a LT. Move Gandy to right for a year. Of course his salary is a concern, so maybe we can get him to re-do. I don\'t know the penalty for cutting him but I don\'t think we can afford to. I am not as high on DB as I am safety. I think we need a playmaker there if we address LB, T and DT through free agency and early in the draft. Maybe second round on a good safety and CB in the 3rd if not Rb, but we should be able to get a decent guy at RB almost anywhere in the draft.

02-09-2005, 11:34 AM	#9
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	don't know if this has been posted yet am not as high on DB as I am safety. I think we need a playmaker there if we address LB, T and DT through free agency and early in the draft. Maybe second round on a good safety and CB in the 3rd if not Rb, but we should be able to get a decent guy at RB almost anywhere in the draft. I think getting backup s for our db is more likely to be a need than starters. I think linebackers should come first then safeteies..if we had to skip db then we\'d be okay. a high second rounder for howard wouldn\'t be a bad deal either. maybe to the 49ers? I think with a high second we could easily get frye and then later get our safety/TE...
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

02-09-2005, 11:54 AM	#10
ScottyRo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA (ugh, the food here) Posts: 1,704	don't know if this has been posted yet The off-season emphasis will be on improving the defense. The Saints need a run stuffing DT to replace Grady Jackson, a MLB that can hold the middle of the field, a cover corner to replace Dale Carter. As far as whether we filled our 2004 needs on D, it looks like we completely whiffed on one (DT), halfway filled the next (Watson at MLB) and completely, albeit late, filled the last (MM at CB). I think MLB is covered in 2005, but what this list missed even last year was our need for two starting OLBs. So, we need at least 3 contributors to our D. It\'ll be four if we don\'t get a quality DT cuz then we will even more need to replace Bellamy at S, if Mitchell cannot.