Courtney Watson
 

You want to talk about the Saints' front office really doing a great job of selling a player to the fans, just take a look at Courtney Watson.

I can never understand why some fans are so high on this guy!

Maybe it was the press clippings. Maybe it's because he was considered to be a very "intelligent guy". Maybe it's because Haslett praised the guy so much.

Who knows!!

But, what I do know is it isn't because of the way he performed on the field last season!!!!!!

Oh, I've heard fans say they saw him make a few plays. Well, I saw Orlando Ruff make a few plays too.

And I've heard fans say that he's young and will improve! Really? Do we really want to take that chance at the oh so important MLB position?

I don't!!!!!

IMO, it will be a BAD BAD mistake depending on Courtney Watson this upcoming season.

I don't care what his measurements are. I don't care how intelligent his is. I don't care how much potential some fans tells me he has. I do not feel good with Watson manning the MLB position.

Give me a proven MLB in free-agency!!

Courtney Watson
 

Here is an argument:

MLB is a key position in the 4-3 when it comes to the base defense and running downs. However, historically, on passing downs (when the defense moves to a nickle or dime, or even a non-standard 4-3) the MLB is usually the first guy off the field (well maybe one of the DTs is first, but the MLB is second). He is usually replaced with an OLB for speed (think Ruff out-Hodge in two years ago).

In recent years, the base 4-3 has seen an interesting trend. More teams are going with a smaller, rangier guy in the middle. Petersen is a good example. Watson is built like this kind of backer. MLB is played by these \'tweeners more and more of late. I\'m undecided what I think about this trend, but it has certainly paid off in some cases. The key though to using these more speedy, pass oriented MLBs is the DTs. This is one reason that Watson may have suffered in the middle this year; he didn\'t have a wall of a DT to keep the OL/FB off of him. If we were to get a stud DT, we may see Watson improve dramatically.

While I agree that Watson didn\'t impress too much this season, I believe there are at least two reasons for tihs: (1) our DLine was pretty carpy against the run, and (2) MLBs have a slower learning curve than OLBs in general.

Thus, (1) I\'m not willing to abandon the idea of Watson as an MLB - he is physically suited for it and he does have some skills - his major drawback here seems to be instincts, but they could improve, (2) Haz yanked him once it was obvious that the interior of our DL was weak against the run - Ruff is a much better run stuffer - but we\'ve seen what Ruff looks like in coverage, and (3) our defense wasn\'t designed to exploit Watson\'s speed in the middle - with our ends not being the best in run support and our DTs being either undersized or middling in skill, run support required usually two LBs.

Thus, I agree with Billy that Watson didn\'t look like all that, but I believe that had something to do with the inside of our DL and our DE\'s penchant for charging the passer (rather than filling their gaps - Grant had this trouble most of the season).

Furthermore, I actually think a stud OLB (or \'tweener MLB) has more value than a big, head-crushing, MLB (even if they sure are fun to watch).

Courtney Watson
 

JKool -

To be honest, that stuff means very little to me.

It takes a good MLB in the 4-3 and it takes a good MLB in the 3-4.

The question is ... is Watson good enough?

If you say yes .... Why?

Based on last year?

Based on a gut feeling?

Based on what Haslett said?

I\'m going based on what I saw on the field last season. He definately didn\'t play like some of the first round MLB who were taken in the draft.

Why? Was it because he\'s not as good as them? Was it because of the players around him?

When I add everything up, I don\'t feel like he\'s the guy. And that\'s based on what I saw with my own two eyes.

Could he be the guy? Yes, absolutely.

But, IMO, it\'s too risky counting on the kid.

We need to solidify the MLB position with a proven MLB and maybe move Watson over to WLB. Though I saw Colby making a lot of plays there...

Courtney Watson
 

I don\'t know a whole lot to judge the young fella, but I did see him mostly out of position to make a play on the ball last year. Seemed like every time I saw him, he was being pushed around at will.

Courtney Watson
 

Typically the more important the position the harder it is to play and learn. So, we had a rook in at a very difficult position. He was out of position a lot,yes, but when he was in position I saw him make good. He\'s a good tackler and his reported intelligence leads me to think he\'ll be able to learn the nuances and be in position more often. Otherwise, I can only hope that with that intelligence comes football savvy.

I don\'t see a problem with keeping him in. I think he\'ll be better because of the experience. I felt the same way about Bentley comoing into the \'03 season - he should have been moved to C then.

I feel this way based on my observations during the games in which he played.

Courtney Watson
 

I hope you\'re right, Scotty.

Look, I\'m not basing Courtney. Everyone here should know I\'m not into bashing any of the Saints\' players.

Maybe some of my frustration is because we have been so inept at MLB for so long.

I think Courtney deserves a chance to be the starting MLB. I just not so sure it isn\'t too big of a risk.

What if he doesn\'t produce and he have no one behind him.

It seems to me that the \"safe\" money is on getting a proven MLB and either sliding Watson to another spot or bring him along slowly?

Courtney Watson
 

I think that may be part of the reason some folks are so sold on Watson. It\'s that eternal Saints-fan hope that every new MLB is the second coming of Sam Mills.

His stats are truly not inspiring, and he started getting banged up later in the year. but there are reasons to believe he may have promise. He\'s smart, and is a good tackler (when he\'s near the play). However, he\'s gotta get stronger or develop a better technique for shedding blockers - otherwise we\'ll see alot more of him getting tossed around like a rag doll.

Hello? Johnathan Sullivan, this is responsibility (and your darned JOB) calling...

Well, judging by the last five seasons or so, nothing happens. We just continue to suck...

Heh heh, carpy...

Wasn\'t just the D-line, man. It took a concerted effort by all the defensive players and coaching staff to be that lousy. I say they all deserve the Golden Carp Award.

:awe: FISH HEAD!!!

[Edited on 27/2/2005 by mutineer10]

Courtney Watson
 

I\'d take the second coming of Vaughn Johnson (#53) too... Good explanation, mutey.

The Golden Carp Award... sounds appropriate to me.

I\'m starting to wonder if Sullivan\'s dramatic nose dive to suckitude isn\'t the biggest reason that our defense blows?

Courtney Watson
 

While I agree completely that the Saints SHOULD sign a proven veteran at MLB this offseason, I also think Courtney Watson will be a good player for the Saints in years to come. I thought he and Buckwoldt played better than any other LBs on the team this past year - and while both need to learn and mature and improve a lot, the fact that they are realistic possibilities for a MLB has me excited.

I sure didn\'t think teams ran very well against us in the last 4 games of the season. Allen, Watson, and Buckwoldt were the starters, if memory serves. Billy - haven\'t you used those last four games to justify your position that the defense will improve in 2005? Don\'t you constantly support young players and giving them the chance to develop? So why the fear of Watson?

Courtney Watson
 

WhoDat --

Why do I fear Watson? Hmmm...

Well, for one, I think that is one of the most \"critical\" positions of the defense. I don\'t like to gamble there too much and I feel like we\'ve gambled long enough. Time to fix it with a known commodity.

And then we could slide Watson over to WLB or possibily SLB. I\'m not sure, but, personally, I\'d feel much better with someone who is proven.

I think this defense is close. As witnessed, at least in part, by the last 4-games.

And, to be honest, even in the last 4 games, I didn\'t see Watson have that much of an impact. At least not from what I saw.

Regardless, I have my doubts about him.

Courtney Watson
 

Billy, I\'m still not convinced that MLB is THAT important.

Even just in terms of the number of downs and situations that a \"classic\" MLB plays, it is fewer than both CBs, both DEs, one DT, and your FS (who are going to be on the field almost every play and in almost every situation.

It is my contention that a quality OLB (either S or W) is more important.

Courtney Watson
 

Last year when there was more uncertainty about the MLB position (noone knew who would start in week 1 for a long time) and the Saints passed up Trotter etc. I would have agreed with you. This year I believe Watson deserves another chance - and I also think the chances are pretty slim that the important people in the organization don\'t agree with me.

Hard to disagree with that statement, but I think you overvalue the position. You can build a good defense with a decent MLB if all the other parts fall into place. For the money it would take to sign a proven MLB, I would rather get a proven SLB and have some of it to spare for an OT.

Courtney Watson
 

JKool --

I feel that WLB is very important. But, in all honesty, I don\'t see how it could be considered more important than MLB.

The MLB is the guy who stuffs the run up the middle. The WLB is the one who chaces the run on the outside.

If you can\'t stop the run up the middle, no teams are going to run to the outside. Why should they? The closest route from point A to point B is a straight line....

In my estimate, the WLB ranks behind the MLB in terms of importance. That is ... is most defenses.

I would like to hear more about your thoughts on the subject. I\'ll keep an open mind... ;)

Courtney Watson
 

I think that most run stuffing occurs at the line. If the interior of the DL plays well, the LBs are set to make easy tackles in the gaps, where the RBs don\'t have much space to make moves. This is how \"smaller\" quicker MLBs have been succeeding of late (there are esentially two WLBs on the field, one playing in the middle).

Also, due to the use of these rangier LBs in the pass defense, I do believe that their increased versatility is what makes them more valuable than the \"classic\" MLB spot.

Don\'t get me wrong, I agree that MLB is very important to the run defense, the argument I\'m making is that these smaller MLBs are really just converted OLBs with extra protection in front of them.

I\'m happy with Watson at MLB provided we beef up in the middle of the DL. He may also mature into the role.

I know I\'m not being really clear here, but I\'m sure you\'re getting my drift. I tried to lay out the argument in a bit of detail in my first post. Am I getting clearer or more opaque (just asking really)? Maybe you just disagree?

Courtney Watson
 

MLB is NOT the most important position on defense by far. If it was, then why do most of the top MLB\'s in the draft last until the middle rounds to be selected. The SLB and WLB are both as important if not more than a MLB. In fact I\'d say the MLB is probably the least important of the 3 LB\'s n a 4-3.

Billy I\'ve noticed you call out Watson time and time again. Whats up with that? He was a rookie last year. If you ask me he made as many good AND bad plays as our boy behind center. So why single him out when the rest of our LB crew couldn\'t start on a single team in the NFL?
He has shown more promise as a LB than anyone since Fields.

I think its silly to call out a rookie. its getting old.
Show me where you\'ve called out Ruff? Hodge? Allen?Rodgers? Calling out the ONE LB with less questionmarks than any other LB on this team seems awfully strange.

The most promising LB we\'ve had here in years and it appears you have a vendetta against him. Hmmm. Something smells fishy here Billy. Notre Dame hater perhaps?

Courtney Watson
 

In terms of versatility, the WLB is the more important of the two. An exceptional WLB can really take over a game, illustrated by guys like Derrick Brooks. In his prime, Brooks was routinely among the team leaders in both tackles AND interceptions, not to mention less tangibles like forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, etc. Other examples are Brian Urlacher (when lined up at WLB), and the mid-90\'s Junior Seau.

Then you\'ve got the MLB\'s. Less versatile, but usually more fun to watch. Mike Singletary, Ray Lewis, and the aforementioned Sam Mills were/are tackling machines. And in the case of those three, they were the leaders of their respective defenses in that they were responsible for calling the formations, reading the offense, etc.

I\'m not sure one is any more important than the other. There are so many defensive schemes, styles, and mindsets that either might be more essential depending on their team\'s DC. Some defenses are conservative, preferring to drop back into zones, trying to read the offense, etc. Other defenses are all about blitzing, man-to-man, stuff the WR\'s at the line, etc.

Long story short, I think the importance of a MLB or WLB probably depends on the scheme.







[Edited on 28/2/2005 by mutineer10]

Courtney Watson
 

Draft DJ and move Courtney to WLB and we will be fine!

Courtney Watson
 

Danno --

I have no vendetta against any Saints\' player. And I\'m not a real big college football fan, so, it has nothing to do with Notre Dame!

From MY point of view, Danno, Courtney Watson has a lot to prove before I\'m satisfied that he\'s THE guy. Just because I have some concerns about the guy does not mean I\'m hateing on Watson.

Watson may do well in his second season. Then again, he may not. If he doesn\'t perform the way we need him to, then what? What\'s your plan then, Danno?

My way of thinking is if we get a proven MLB then we can slide Watson over to WLB and he could still get some reps at MLB if we want to groom him for that spot.

It\'s a win/win situation.

However, it\'s Watson or bust if we don\'t pick up someone else.

Believe me, I would like nothing better than for Watson to have a break-out season. I just really don\'t want to take the risk. Not when we don\'t have to.

Look, it\'s debateable what LB position is the most important. I think it\'s MLB. It really makes no difference. We need both a good WLB and MLB.

I\'ll say this again ... Because we have be as inept at MLB for so long, I might just be frustrated and be overreacting. But, that\'s the way I feel. I\'m ready for that not to be a concern anymore.

Courtney Watson
 

That quote could be said about any player on our defense. It can also be said much more accurately about every other LB on this team. But this thread wasn\'t titled LINEBACKERS, it was titled Courtney Watson. Sounds like you\'re saying you have more confidence in Hodge / Allen / Ruff / Bockwoldt / Knight / Rodgers or all the other huge questionmarks at LB. Thats laughable.

I could live with that, but I think Watson will be a fine MLB. I\'d rather bring in a stud OLB than an ILB. A proven OLB with Watson at MLB sounds like more bang than a proven MLB and Watson at WLB (a position he has never played).

Yea, and its Bockwoldt (a 7th round rookie) or bust if we don\'t pick up someone else at WLB
Yea, and its Allen (a LB who looked totally LOST for 12 games) or bust if we don\'t pick up someone else at SLB.

So I imagine you\'ve got a \"Colby Bockwoldt\" thread and a \"James Allen\" thread somewhere? Both are as big a questionmark or more than Watson.

I\'m thinking we\'ve been pretty inept at WLB and SLB also.
I feel much better about a Watson/Ruff combo at MLB than I do Allen/Hodge or Bockwoldt/Rodgers.
As far as big bucks go I think it would be wiser to land a SLB, then a WLB, then a MLB.

Atlanta didn\'t move Brookings to OLB because he sucked at MLB. The OLB\'s are a bit more important than a MLB. I want to see a stud SLB or WLB brought in.

Why do OLB\'s typically get drafted way before MLB\'s do, if the MLB position is so much more important?





[/quote:cff067cab2]

Courtney Watson
 

Danno,

First things first!!

I have concerns about every single LB on this team. Bockwaldt, Allen, Watson, etc., ect....


But, in this particular thread, I wanted to talk about Courtney Watson. Maybe that\'s why the \"title\" of this thread is \"Courtney Waton\"?!


All I hear you doing is comparing Watson to the other Saints\' linebackers in order to say \"he\'s the best we\'ve got.\" Yeah, so what? That ain\'t saying a whole hell of a lot and it doesn\'t make me feel any better about Watson.

Why don\'t you compare Watson with some of these proven MLB in free-agency and tell me which one\'s better?

I\'d love to replace all 3-linebacker spots with proven guys. But, that just isn\'t practical. For my money, MLB is more important and that\'s where I want to improve.

I happen to think Bockwaldt played well at WLB and I don\'t think Watson played that well at MLB. That does not mean I think Bockwaldt is the answer, though. Just means I feel better about Bockwaldt than Watson.

You feel differently and that\'s fine. And I respect your opinion.

But, don\'t be telling me that my opinion is laughable.

With your plan, we have no one else but Watson at MLB.

With my plan, we get a proven MLB and Watson can slide over to WLB.

You don\'t think Watson can play there?

Courtney Watson
 

Sorry, I meant to edit out the laugable comment. Its not laughable.

I do think Watson can probably play the WLB as well as the SLB position. And you are in good company with Mike Detillier thinking the same thing. I have much respect for Mike\'s opinion.

At least we\'re discussion the appropriate unit for a change. ;) I love this. My contention was it appeared you were singling out Watson when many think he\'s probably the only one worth keeping on this entire unit. But it was merely an assuption based on the fact that the title of this thread was \"Courtney Watson\". ;)

If the right MLB is available in FA, then I\'m OK with it. I\'d rather get a SLB or a WLB 1st but thats my opinion.

As long as we\'re discussing linebackers I\'m on cloud nine. :heartpump:

Courtney Watson
 

Danno-

I was just looking at some of Courtney Watson\'s stats. Maybe I\'m wrong about this guy!

In his first game against the Seahawks, he had 11- tackles. That ain\'t shabby!! And in the rest of his games, his stats were respectable.

Courtney got injured in about the 5th game and then Haslett let Ruff start for awhile before inserting Watson back into the starting lineup.

I\'m on board with either plan.

Either get a proven WLB or MLB. I\'d be happy with either scenario.

Courtney Watson
 

I don\'t remember the front office selling us Watson. But my memory slips sometimes. I thought they tried to sell us Cie Grant daily and reiterated several times that Watson wasn\'t ready yet and Cie was outplaying him. The only thing I remember was them say he had a chance to heck of a player. I don\'t remember any heaping praise. Most of the praise came from the reporters covering them in training camp. Mel Kiper had him ranked the #1 MLB coming into the draft. Others had him anywhere from 2nd to 6th.

At least he\'s not named Orlando or Sedrick.

[Edited on 28/2/2005 by Danno]

Courtney Watson
 

I probably exagerated a bit. But, Haslett did praise the guy a good bit.

He said things like Watson was one of the most intelligent players he\'s ever been around. And that he had natural leadership qualities.

But, Haslett didn\'t go overboard and I generally think Haslett speaks his mind.

I need to stop it with saying Haslett has sold fans on certain players. Fans sell themselves!! What\'s Haslett suppose to say .. They suck? LOL

Courtney Watson
 

Gumbo I had to chime in on this one.

I think the key word that people are missing here is UPSIDE.

Like it was mentioned earlier, he is just a rookie. I can\'t think of any MLBs that were noticeably impressive right out of the gate(I didn\'t see Ray Lewis in his rookie year).

Intelligence is not that common an attribute in the NFL, and it makes the player much easier to work with, which is why Haslett speaks highly of him. The mental part of the game is the toughest to grasp. I don\'t see it as selling him necessarily, just saying what he personally feels.

Than again Danny Wuerffel was an intelligent player too. :(

This season will serve as a better barometer of Watson\'s potential and progress, I\'m sure.

Courtney Watson
 

What are you talking about? Going back five years, to from the 1999 draft to last year\'s, there have been 9 MLBs chosen in the first round and only 5 OLBs. I believe they are all important, in fact I\'ve said many times that the LB corps as a whole is the most important unit on the field. I don\'t think you can make the argument that the OLB is soooo much more important than a MLB. Especially since your first point on the argument wasn\'t true, i.e. the draft positions.

Courtney Watson
 

this came from NFL countdown..and many other scouts also veiw watson as our only untouchable linebacker.

Courtney Watson
 

All Danno was saying that MLB is NOT the most important position on defense, which Billy was at least implying.

Haslett praising Watson: I mostly remember Haz making these statements about Watson right after the draft, which is completely normal.

Watson\'s stats first 3-4 games: Watson appeared on some lists as one of the best rookies after the first 4 games. Most of us agreed that it was laughable (there\'s that word again) and the people making those lists didn\'t watch the games, but only looked at his stats. He was out of position often and generally didn\'t have good games - even with 11 tackles.

Courtney Watson
 

I know what he said, that is why I quoted it in my post and made the statement I was responding to bold.

Courtney Watson
 

Yes, I did imply that MLB position was one of the most important positions on the defense.

Just to clarify, I do not think it\'s the most important position.

I believe the front 4 are the most important positions on defense. With the DT being the most important and then the DE.

After that I think it\'s MLB, OLB, and SLB. In that order.

Then CB and safety.

Getting back to Watson. I too think he was out of position far too often. I understand he was a rookie and all. And I understand rookies usually improve. The \"key\" word being \"usually\".

So, I think MLB is the 5th most important spot of the defense. And have some serious doubts about Watson.... ;)

Courtney Watson
 

traditionally mLB is the QB of defense.

Courtney Watson
 

My count shows 9-7. And one (Suggs) is actually a DE. And I\'ll let you slide with two of those going 29 and 31. And I didn\'t even bother to address the ILB\'s drafted for a 3-4 versus a 4-3, which I\'m learning lately really matters. That makes my head spin. I\'ll leave that up to our resident stat-boys. But that was interesting. I didn\'t know it was that close.

BUT,
Interesting to see that if you include 2nd and 3rd rounds though you get a pretty clear picture of the perceived importance of the positions.

According to NFL.com,
Over the last 3 years, 1st 3 rounds (1st day draft picks), here are the LINEBACKER tallies...

2004-10 OLB, 2 ILB
2003-11 OLB, 5 ILB
2002-11 OLB, 2 ILB

So if my math is correct, thats 32 OLB\'s drafted, and 9 MLB\'s drafted on the 1st day

To me that looks like WAY more OLB\'s than ILB\'s picked in the early rounds.

But I do agree with your premise that they are ALL important. And looking at our roster I\'m more concerned with SLB/WLB than with MLB. So I stand by my statement.

Courtney Watson
 

Jay Bellamy calls our defensive plays. In the NFL it is good to have the \"QB of the defense\" be a guy who is almost always on the field, which isn\'t always a MLB (except in the case of the \"new breed MLBs\", the \'tweeners I\'ve been talking about).

The MLB\'s importance decreases if he cannot play on passing downs, since that takes him off the field for somewhere around 20-35% of the snaps. This is different from the CBs, DEs, the FS, and the nickle linebacker (usually an OLB).

As for importance of positions on the defense, I will state my view again. I think of player importance as roughly \"up one side and down the other\":
DE
DT (nose style)
Second DE
OLB (either W or S)
CB
MLB
Second DT
Second OLB (either W or S)
Safety (either S or F)
Second Safety (either S of F)
CB
Nickle CB
Depth at any position

That makes MLB the sixth most important in my mind. Even if he is fifth, how important is that, there are only 11 starters?

Courtney Watson
 

Thats probably my exact ranking also.

Courtney Watson
 

This is true. Say for someone like Orlando Ruff. But, who wants someone like that? Nobody. In years past the idea was to have a big MLB that could stop the run and they really didn\'t depend on him to stop the pass.

But, that\'s not true in today\'s game ... for the most part. So, I think that\'s kind of a moot point, JKool. I\'m not suggesting we get a MLB who is big and slow and needs to come off the field in passing situations.

Instead, I\'m suggesting just the opposite. We need a MLB who can do it all. Stuff the run and cover the pass. The most dominate player at any LB position in today\'s game is Ray Lewis. Historically the MLB position has always been the
bigger play-maker.

There have been OLB who are the playmakers on their team. Maybe the \"trend\" is changing. I\'m just not buying into that idea though.

Historically, the middle linebacker has been the most dominate of all the linebacker positions.

You can go down the line and take a look at some players like: Sam Mills, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary ,Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus, and Willie Lanier.... All great players ... All middle linebackers. Most are in the hall of fame.

Courtney Watson
 

The knock on Hartwell is just that. He is terrible dropping back in pass coverage, and timed at 4.8 seconds. I like Hartwell, but its not like we\'re gonna get a Ray Lewis with this guy. Upgrade? Yes, no question.
He\'s a prototype ILB best suited for a 3-4. I think Ruff is also.
I think Bell has also only played in a 3-4.
How they would adapt to a 4-3 I honestly don\'t know. I\'ll defer to the experts on that. Detillier thinks he\'d do fine so I just don\'t know.

Courtney Watson
 

I guess, I don\'t agree. I think that there have been some very great MLBs, but I think historically speaking that this has not been the as dominant as you make out.

Think back on the Dome Patrol: do you really think that Sam Mills was a bigger play maker than Swilling and Jackson? I\'m not sure I buy that; I\'m not saying you\'re wrong, but, for me, the jury is out on that one.

Historic Impact OLBs:
Lawrence Taylor (changed the way OLB is played)
Derrik Brooks
Bryce Paup
Kevin Greene
Derrek Thomas
(And there are more)

Current Impact OLBs:
LaVar Arrinington
Boss Bailey
Peter Boulware
Keith Brooking
Willie McGinest
Julian Petersen
Junior Seau (well maybe not anymore)
Takeo Spikes
Terrell Suggs
DJ Williams
Will Witherspoon

I\'m not really disagreeing with you Billy, but I am saying that a run-stuffer MLB isn\'t exactly that high up on my list IF we can fix the interior of the line. Also, teams have been successful in using guys who are built more like OLBs at MLB these days.

I think we can get greater impact out of an OLB than an MLB - due to the range of MOST NOT ALL MLBs in the NFL these days. Summary: more downs, greater range, not obviously more important as an impact palyer = OLB (usually).

I also agree with Danno on this: MLB - Watson and Ruff (ok to good), OLB - ? (maybe Bockwoldt).

Courtney Watson
 

Danno, I\'ve gone back and looked again. My numbers were off a little, but I still have different numbers than you. Let\'s take a look.

OLB ****************** MLB
1st - 7 **************** 1st- 8 (okay so I had an extra one)
2nd - 19 ************** 2nd - 6
3rd - 21 *************** 3rd - 8
---------------------------------------------------
47 ************** 22 Totals

So there are double the amount of OLB taken in the first three draft, including the DEs that switched over in the NFL. But in the first round there have been more MLBs taken than OLBs. I have to think that, in light of the fact that there are TWO OLBs on the field for every play and only ONE MLB, teams are putting a bigger priority on the MLB.

Courtney Watson
 

Let me explain to you exactly what is going on here.

You say you’ve seen Orlando Ruff make plays. I’ve never seen Ruff make plays outside of special teams. And I sure as hell haven’t seen any threads started by Billy that addressed this subject, in the two years that he’s been a Saint.
So I deduce from this that the only intent of this thread is to get under the skin of others on this board, because he knows from past experiences that a thread about Watson would accomplish this goal.

Courtney Watson
 

My point wasn\'t that Ruff should be starting. My piont was that just because folks tell me that they saw Watson make a few plays doesn\'t mean I\'m sold on the guy.

I saw Watson out of position more times than I saw him making plays. If that gets under your , or anyone elses skin, then I can\'t help that and I\'m certainly not alone in feeling that way.

I\'m not trying to get under anyone\'s skin. That\'s simply the way I feel about Watson.