Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 689281)

Black, there's no way Cooks, in his diminitive size, will be a No. 1; Great character, attitude, phenomenal talent; but when he had to body-up he couldn't convert against more physical defensive backs, it just didn't get done...

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI (Post 689934)

Definitely need another CB. Lewis will be 30 and coming off three hip surgeries. Who knows if he'll ever be the player he was before. Swann is another concussion away from being a vegetable. P.J. Williams will essentially be a rookie next season and a lot of people projected him to be more of a free safety.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 689917)

Not so fast my friend...

There's more to it than passing up and down the field...you've got to score...

Marques Colston, my favorite active Saints, has not been Colston for the past two years (I've opined age<arthritis); and then there's that other kid who's on Seattle milk cartons...

If you want to look at the statistics, then let's do that...

We're tied with Seattle at eighth in points per game; still among the top nine, but that also includes an anomaly with the Giants game in the dome, drop that game, we're barely middle of the pack...

Source: https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game

Then there's time of possession, still good, but only seventh, and if we'd had 2:00 (two minutes) less in total possession, we'd fallen out of the top twelve in avg time of possession...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...sion-net-of-ot

Now we were first in 3rd down conversions, we were fortunate that there were many third and shorts; this is where sending Cooks downfield and Snead or Hill underneath worked in the passing game and Mark Ingram's improved play; but not in 3rd in long where Colston, a big x-receiver that can body up and convert is missed...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...conversion-pct

But now we get to the real problem, the red zone...

Despite moving up and down the field, we were only ninth (9th) in red zone TD scoring...

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...ne-scoring-pct

And when teams held us to a field goal, even when we made 'em, we lost games...

And Drew was actually behind the team in the red zone; missing that big go-to receiver...

2015 Red Zone Passing Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com

So despite being no. 2 in total offense, which is tempered by a +2 turnover margin...We lacked that scoring threat...

That is why I make the case that Drew's better days were tied to a true threat at the x-receiver (Colston) and could be rejuvenated (Treadwell) and giving him pocket protection that he once had (All-Pro Evans and Nicks) by improving what he had at guard (Old, Broke-down Evans and Improving Lelito)...

By drafting these positions, you can score putting pressure on the opposition and making 'em one-dimensioal...

And the purpose of the safeties is to address the allowance of the big downfield plays that Byrd and Vaccaro have been incapable of snuffing out...

With regards to the pass rush, I've b*tched as much as anybody here about it being neglected; but there's new linebacking coaches, new linebackers and new defensive linemen; Hell, we had five rookie starters on defense at one point and we finally picked a defensive coordinator, let's let that begin to work and not paint it as dire as last offseason...

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 689939)

Brandin Cooks: 5'10" 189 lbs
Antonio Brown: 5'10" 181 lbs

It's not the size that defines a #1 receiver.

SFIAH

Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 689956)

True enough but to date Cook is no Brown.

I have not given up on the kid that's for sure. But this brings me back the need to address OG play.

OG play the past two years has gone down hill dramatically. If Drew is to remain the QB the saints have little choice but start looking for youth up front via the draft or FA. Litto can run block but he still can not handle a stunt to save his life. It appears Evens is on his final legs. I see no choice. The saints FINALLY made the move to add an OT so why hold off a glaring need at OG? We have a long list of upgrades that consist of a single piece and not upgrades that address a unit. Saints need to be in overhaul mode on the OL and pray non of the 2017 FA money will be spent up front. as Drew goes so do the saints.

Drew's height dictates the need for a good front 3. Drew needs a pocket to pass from like any QB but he must be able to step up into the pocket and move around to get away.

Big Ben gets away with a so so line because he is, well big. That is a huge factor in Browns success. Short and mid range throws are all down hill. Huge advantage.

Cook has never played with the saints when the front 3 OL were dominate and helped maximize Drew skill set. If he gets that chance he may just become a Brown and #1. Till then we will never know.

FA or draft, OG must be upgraded. There are upgrades out there that do not break the bank in FA. Litto as a developing back up and dumping the dead wood on the depth chart would be solid move. Draft will present some solid options also.

All of this will keep Drew up right and allow Cook the chance to thrive.

Once again a year late at the bargain basement FA shopping. My two favs from last year bin are not going to come near as cheap

G Evan Mathis, Denver Broncos - might because of age. He is solid and steady and not that much tread wear despite his age. 5+ years as a back up

G Richie Incognito, Buffalo Bills - blew this one completely. model citizen and buffalo and blew the doors of the NFL

Draft I still like the two coke machines from Arkansas. it still early yet

so we need to look deeper or to the draft to help Drew get the most out of Cook

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 689977)

After watching both games yesterday, one thing that was constant ... solid tackling, slowing down the run & getting to the QB. Hopefully we continue to build on what was started last draft and continue to develop a strong front 7.