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

Attached Thumbnails · 03-13-2016, 08:14 AM

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.

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

hagan714 · 03-13-2016, 09:43 AM

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

|Mitch| · 03-13-2016, 10:05 AM

All anyone needing a reminder of how free agency often backfires has to do is look at some of the big names signed by the Saints in recent years.

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

Seer1 · 03-13-2016, 10:35 AM

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...

Danno · 03-13-2016, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Seer1

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...

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.

burningmetal · 03-13-2016, 11:45 AM

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.

QBREES9 · 03-13-2016, 01:58 PM

They have to do something. Lets try this.

RaginCajun83 · 03-13-2016, 02:06 PM

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

Seer1 · 03-13-2016, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by RaginCajun83

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

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

hagan714 · 03-13-2016, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

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.

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

03-13-2016, 08:14 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,123 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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. 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 Attached Thumbnails
Views: 4222

03-13-2016, 09:43 AM	#2
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	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. QBREES9 and halloween 65 like this.

03-13-2016, 10:05 AM	#3
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents All anyone needing a reminder of how free agency often backfires has to do is look at some of the big names signed by the Saints in recent years. Enough said right there, the Byrd signing has to have them gun shy

03-13-2016, 10:35 AM	#4
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	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... Danno, RaginCajun83 and halloween 65 like this.

03-13-2016, 11:07 AM	#5
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents Originally Posted by Seer1 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... 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.

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03-13-2016, 11:45 AM	#6
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	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. Euphoria, hagan714 and K Major like this.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

03-13-2016, 01:58 PM	#7
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	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.

03-13-2016, 02:06 PM	#8
RaginCajun83 Hou Saints Fan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 5,050	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

03-13-2016, 06:26 PM	#9
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents Originally Posted by RaginCajun83 In most cities this defensive coaching staff would of been fired years ago In most cities they would have actually hired a defensive coaching staff by now.

03-13-2016, 07:08 PM	#10
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Saints could be looking to add to young core on defense instead of going after free agents Originally Posted by burningmetal 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. 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 jonnyrotten likes this.