St.Shrume

I think we should go after a vet MLB, then draft an LB as well. I am happy about the action in FA so far. But I think we should get an LB and 2nd or 3rd for Howard.

If we do so, we can take a QB, RB or DL in the draft, and let talent fall to us.

LKelley67

tp deshazier today:

Mayberry and Smith should be celebrated and embraced as progressive steps toward the upcoming season. If for no other reason, then because their signings apparently signal the end of the Saints careers of tackle Victor Riley and safety Tebucky Jones.

Almost anyone would be considered an upgrade.

How soon a team is willing to admit a mistake and clean up its mess (why does defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan come to mind?) is as important as procuring talent in the draft or via free agency. Because holding onto a mistake only compounds the mistake, placing at a disadvantage the players who are asked to play with, and perhaps compensate for, the guy who can\'t do his job.

Legitimately, we can question whether the current hierarchy has shown itself capable of wisely making such determinations. The Saints did, after all, acquire Jones in a trade from the Patriots when the Patriots no longer wanted him, and the team found reason to start Riley.

Consider them the big catches because other than a couple of low-budget pieces to be added later, the big-money spending spree in free agency probably stops there. The Saints still have money, but there\'s serious in-house work to be done.

GumboBC

I am happy with both picks. While it still remains to be seen how effective Mayberry will be at RT, his professinal attitude will be a welcome change over that of Victor Riley who seemed to have character problems. Furthermore, one of the big problems with the Saints\' offense was penalties. With Victor Rileiy leading the charge in that area.

Dwight Smith should also lend some flexability to what the Saints\' defense is able to do. Smith runs somewhere in the neighborhood of a 4.4/40 and can matchup with receivers in the dime and nickel defense which should allow more blitzes to be called.


The backend of our secondary has been extremely weak for quite a while now. Saying there hasn\'t been a \"difference-maker\" would be an understatement. Tebucky Jones, while he improved his tackling, often blew assignments which led to big plays given up. The addition of Dwight Smith, who is a difference-maker\", should add somthing that\'s been missing for a long time. That\'s something the coaches thought they were getting when we traded for Tebucky. A strong secondary allows much more flexablity in the defensive game planning.


Going back to the offensive side of the ball ... Playing more of a run oriented type of game could be just what the doctor ordered. If we are able to impose our will on opposing defenses by running the ball, it will have such a tremendous impact in our passing game. Being in 3rd and short situations allows the playcalling to keep defenses on their heels. That\'s something that\'s been sorely lacking! A lot of that is going to depend on the defense, though. The defense has got to keep the score low and allow us to keep pounding the ball until defenses wear down.


My 2-cents.

[Edited on 8/3/2005 by GumboBC]

[Edited on 8/3/2005 by GumboBC]