jeanpierre

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 Pre-Camp

LINEBACKERS

WLB (2) 59 - Dannell Ellerbe, 54 - Nate Stupar, 97 - Tony Steward

MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 52 - Craig Robertson, 51 - Jeff Schoettmer

SLB (2) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti, 57 - Dillon Lee

LEO (3) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 55 - Davis Tull, *44 - Hau'oli Kikaha

Projected Starter Entering Training Camp

Reserve/Injured

Draft Pick/Future/UDRFA

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Saints will probably keep six (6), maybe seven (7) linebackers on the final (53) initial roster; the Line/End Linebackers (LEO) were counted against the defensive line group, though either Edebali, Gwachum and/or Tull could be grouped with the linebackers as the Saints have 'em listed...

Early Rankings of our Linebackers would be:

1. 50 - Stephone Anthony - spend a first round pick on a linebacker and voila' - he was outstanding; relieved of MIKE duties in favour of Laurinaitis' experience
2. 53 - James Laurinaitis - one of the better MLB in the game; thought to be on the decline from a shoulder injury; brought in for defensive field general duties...
3. 52 - Craig Robertson - will challenge for the WLB starting position as this guy can run; is also a very capable MLB with great instincts and good preparation
4. 59 - Dannell Ellerbe - if he could only stay healthy, he'd be a pro-bowler, but missing five or more games can't be accepted, no matter the upside...
5. 54 - Nate Stupar - from Penn St LB tradition and when given a chance, hasn't disappointed; will enhance special teams and has started at both WLB or MLB.
6. 91 - Kasim Edebali - Has very limited coverage ability and change of direction, more of a pure pass rusher, smallish Defensive End
7. 55 - Davis Tull - Elite athlete with uphill battle for Allen to make Tull a priority to find him a featured role; an ideal 34 LB, but that's not gonna happen with DA...
8. 56 - Mike Mauti - Legacy player brought in for depth and special teams play; graded well last season when he played, though rarely tested...
9. 57 - Dillon Lee - versatile, team player who sacrificed the spotlight, playing whereever asked and has great experience at all the linebacker positions...
10. 58 - Obum Gwacham - Converted defender who's added muscle, but still looks too lean to anchor the edge as a DE, could better his chances as a SLB
11. 97 - Tony Steward - good athlete who's had injury and personal misfortunes early on in his NFL career, trying to make the show...
12. 51 - Jeff Schoettmer - Carolina MIKE Backer who was a standout leader making sure his teammates were lined up, has minimum NFL athleticism
13. 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha - is likely lost for most, if not the entire season due to a third lifetime knee injury; he would have been ranked third (3rd)

Linebackers to watch who're likely to move up:
52 - Craig Robertson
55 - Davis Tull
57 - Dillon Lee


Notes/Observations:

• While Davis Tull was a college DE and is an ideal a 3-4 NFL OLB, he could easily shift to SLB or WLB and has sideline to sideline athleticism as a MLBer...
  
• ...with the Kikaha injury, in addition to the recent stockpiling of 4-3 D-linemen in Lawrence Virgil and C.J. Wilson, we're likely to see a traditional 4-3 where linebackers will be expected to be thumpers behind the defensive linemen on running plays and drop back in zone coverage on passing plays...
  
• If I were Dannell Ellerbe, I wouldn't buy property; his inability to stay healthy is probably one of the biggest reasons we signed so many linebackers...
  
• Could you imagine this linebacker corps if we had spent the money on Broncos Linebacker Danny Trevathan instead of Colby Fleener?
  
• When a top ten underrated list of 2016 Free Agent Signings is done next year James Laurinaitis, Craig Robertson and Nate Stupar should be on that list...
  
• Edebali and Gwachum had better be jump out as pass rushers are they're going be quickly on the outside, looking in...
  
• Watch out for LB Dillon Lee out of Alabama, being moved around at Bama did him no favors as a collegiate standout, but will be a big seller in the NFL...
  
• IF Kikaha doesn't hurt himself, we could have looked really poised as a 3-4 front with plenty of depth...
  
• Like many of our defensive linemen, the theme of versatility, being able to play more than one position will also be a characteristic of the linebacking corps..

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

K Major

It was good we got VET LB's this off season. We have to TWO gap. Moving Anthony to Sam allows him to play behind Cam Jordan so whatever gap Jordan doesn't penetrate is Anthony's responsibility making his reads cleaner.

Ellerbe/Craig Robertson/Stupar/James L are all good LBs that should have no trouble with their reads at the MLB and WLB position.

Dennis Allen has full control of the D (see Greg W in 2009). Coach em up.

jeanpierre

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 Pre-Camp

RUNNING BACKS

RB (5) 22 - Mark Ingram, 28 - C.J. Spiller, 34 - Tim Hightower, 38 - Travaris Cadet, 23 - Marcus Murphy, 36 - Daniel Lasco

FB (1) 35 - Austin Johnson, 39 - Sione Houma

Projected Starter Entering Training Camp

Reserve/Injured

Draft Pick/Future/UDRFA

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Saints will probably keep five (5), Running Backs and one (1) Full Back on the final (53) initial roster...

Early Rankings of our Running Backs:

1. 22 - Mark Ingram - RB who's had the most invested in him and debatable he's produced to justify those investment; regardless he's a a quality back and fit to this offense...
2. 28 - C.J. Spiller - Disappointing free agent acquisition, he turns it on this season or gets added to the list of FA failures for the Saints; could be real special in this offense...
3. 34 - Tim Hightower - Finally had a healthy season as a Pro, may not have the same first step, agility he had as a Cardinal, but did well behind an underrated Saints offensive line...
4. 35 - Austin Johnson - Not only a quality Fullback, but played linebacker in college making him another quality player on special teams; in today's offenses the fullback has all but disappeared, but he provides advantages at the goal line...
5. 38 - Travaris Cadet - Returned to the Saints while improving himself as an all around player, will need to be special as a returner to make this team...
6. 23 - Marcus Murphy - Surprise 7th round pick who had the misfortune of not being able to play with Darren Sproles, who with more effort on Murphy's part, could develop into that All-Purpose Yards threat...
7. 36 - Daniel Lasco - Injured his senior year and fell in the draft, Lasco comes in the mould of a Roger Craig-type speed back with great hands and ability to turn the corner...
8. 39 - Sione Houma - Houma would be an instant favorite on a team in the 1980's, but there can be only one fullback, if that, and he lacks the speed to contend as a ball carrier...

Running Back most likely to move up:
36 - Daniel Lasco


Notes/Observations:

• Mark Ingram's was the absolute right choice for the Saints to re-sign, but Ingram has never really justified the picks it took to select him and that is as much on the coaches/front office as Ingram; it's be nice to see him play sixteen games and finally be an All-Pro...
  
• Spiller has got to find away to step up, man up and stay available on the field; there was some grumbling that he also wasn't as prepared for games as he should be; the Lasco selection could make him expendable...
  
• As mentioned in a comparison earlier, Marcus Murphy has got to develop as intense a work ethic as Darren Sproles had while with the Saints; Saints really screwed the pooch not keeping Sproles, not only for what he brought to the offense, but what he did as a role model in the weight room...
  
• Cadet would be a coach's dream as a No. 3, change of pace running back and may not make this team...
  
• Austin Johnson reminds of a Patriots' type of player, multi-faceted, multi-role and are the kind of players the Saints would be wise to hold on to...
  
• Not many saw that much left in Hightower's game last season; let's see how he does not that people will see him coming this time...
  
• If Daniel Lasco can make the roster as a rookie, watch for him to develop as an absolute star in Payton's offense; he could end up being Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas rolled into one - all on a seventh round pick investment!

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...