Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

After months of talk about how the Saints needed to spend the offseason focused on finding ways to improve their defense, the team spent the first week of free agency focused on patching up holes on offense.

The big signing, of course, was tight end Coby Fleener, who joined New Orleans from Indianapolis shortly after Ben Watson fled town and hooked on with the Baltimore Ravens. Further down the list, the team worked to retain guards Senio Kelemete and Tim Lelito and backup quarterback Luke McCown.

The only transaction pertaining to the defense occurred Saturday morning when reserve safety Rafael Bush signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.

The approach has been surprising. Any list of top needs for the Saints includes defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker. On offense, guard is considered the biggest need after Jahri Evans was let go, but, to be fair, tight end crept up the list after Watson split.

Still, no one would have guessed the bulk of the limited resources this offseason would be used to maintain the offense. That’s not to say the approach is wrong. Only time will determine how all of these moves work out, and there are more pieces of the puzzle to come.

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But with only a little more than $5 million remaining in salary cap space, it’s unlikely New Orleans will go out and make the kind of splash that will satiate fans hungry for defensive improvement.

Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

there are plenty of young players out there that can upgrade this defense.

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

Enough said right there, the Byrd signing has to have them gun shy

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

Well, here's a no brainer article. The Saints can:
a. Pick up some free agents. They really haven't done much of that. Rightfully so
b. Keep the same guys they had. How's that working for them?
or
c. Draft some new cheaper guys.
Nice to see logic isn't totally dead, so to speak. Too bad revamping the defensive/special teams coaching staffs wasn't included in those options...

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

Agreed, the theme is to not overspend for average NFL players.

I think we'll begin signing a few 2nd tier free agents and role players once the week of crazy money is over. My guess is we have a very long list of "adequate" players that won't cost much in the next few weeks, but can fill holes in the roster.

I wonder how much of what we're doing now is because of Jeff Ireland's influence.

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

Our Super Bowl team was made up of a lot of free agents and/or guys we acquired in a trade. Shockey, Sharper, Vilma, Fujita, Greer, Hargrove, McCray, Goodwin, Heath Evans, Mike Bell, David Thomas, and even Shanle.

Oh yeah, and Drew Brees.

Ideally, you'd like to build through the draft, but it's not like you can't upgrade your team in other ways. You just have to be good at what you're doing, and do a better job of identifying good players who won't break the bank. Since that championship team was constructed there has been a huge letdown in scouting and developing players, and also in making balanced financial decisions (not over-paying for one or two guys, and spreading it out with quality veterans instead).

At this point, I know there isn't enough left to do much else in free agency this year. Hoping for a few guys do fall in our proverbial lap in the draft.

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

They have to do something. Lets try this.

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

In most cities this defensive coaching staff would of been fired years ago

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

In most cities they would have actually hired a defensive coaching staff by now.

Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents
 

What did almost all of these players have in common? Most were excellent backups that had chips on their shoulders. hungry and wanting a chance to start. Or to prove they were not ready to hang them up