Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Bruce Arians has already said that Jones will be franchise tagged before he gets out the door; I know, I like this guy opposite Cam too!

There's been some word that Mel Ingram could be tagged; some don't feel he's got the size to set the edge in D.A.'s front, I'm starting to come around to that way of thinking as well...

Does Nick Perry still have enough left in the tank? Would Calais Campbell be better (Yes, please)? Would JPP be worth the risk, reward?

A.J. Klein is intriguing, but it's looking like Foster could be there for us at No. 11...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

AJ ? Meh ...

Recovery and sideline to sideline speed would be a concern. We look like turtles compared to a lot of other NFL defenses. Gotta get faster.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I don't know, Major, Robertson and Ellerbe looked pretty damn fast last season...

Robertson ran with the Panther's Ginn on a post pattern - and I still think Ginn didn't complete the catch inbounds!

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I want Foster and Klein. Klein can move outside.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I was more impressed with JPP than Vernon. The games I watched, JPP got double teamed and Vernon was always left one on one.

JPP has rare combination of speed and power...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Calais is a strong man however he isn't the penetrator that Nick is and you would have to go back to projecting how he "fits" AND he is an older player. But I do like that fact that Campbell was an extremely physical, disruptive player.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

No, he's more of a Car Crusher Defensive End - and that can work too...

Rankins and Onyemata can penetrate from the interior with the ends closing the trap...

It would work with Campbell, you could even move Cam back to the weakside...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

This is the same logic that had me scratching my head at the draft.

Reuben Foster - My gut says he is more a part of a great unit than the key to that units greatness. top 20 talent? sure. At 11 to man the middle of the defense? I can not go there.

Foster kind of reminds me of Anthony. Physically it all appears to be there to be a pro bowl player. But the instincts needed to anchor a defense is just average and does not appear to be at that perennial pro bowl level to me. At 11 that is what I am looking for if I am not going to pick a TE with perinatal pro bowler written all over him. Actually I am to the point were we would be lucky to have OJ Howard will have fall into our laps at 11.

In the rebuilding years for the saints defense I would rather a proven vet from one of the best defenses in the league anchoring the middle. Back up two of the better LB in the NFL is not a knock on his ability but case a just plain bad luck? I go with a mid level contract on a vet deserving a shot at starting and has proven at the very least he is more than capable of playing all 3 LB positions as a back up at a high level.

His draft review. cut and pate time

This I totally agree with then and even more today. key ingredient for a MLB in a 43

Klein is a very intelligent and instinctual football player.

Fiery. Active and instinctual linebacker who plays all three positions in the stack.

AJ is getting that slow white boy can't jump wrap still but

40 4.66
20 2.69
10 1.60

pro day due to knee at combine
Shuttle 4.35
cone 7.06
vert 33

neg draft write up

-Lacks elite straight-line and recovery speed.
-Struggles to in man coverage.
-cannot consistently run down plays from the back side.
-Inconsistent breaking down to make stops in space.
-Lacks great flexibility to turn the corner as a pass rusher or adjust to -elusive ball carriers, can slip off tackles when coming in too high.

Well he proved all of them wrong by the time his first FA period came along He may not have elite but he is not average by any means. ok except the flexibility to turn the corner bit. Great? nope. More than good enough to play at the NFL? yes. Here I throw out the white boy can not dance card. :)

NFL Comparison Scott Shanle

Never agreed with it but Scott was the guy the saint went out of their way to replace year after year and he beat all FA and draft choices the saints threw at him. Gotta respect that fact alone. He reminds of Scott in smarts but Klien is more athletically gifted and has the instincts that kept Scott from getting the fan love he deserved.

A.J. Klein and Micah Hyde are the two safest FA signing the saints can make to improve this defense. Most bang for the buck. Elite back ups in the NFL trapped behind top notch starters. :drummer:

The flexibility to improve the saints a multiple positions. As starters and/or backups.

MLB / WLB / SLB / SS / FS / CB / PR.

They will not sit on the bench. :deadhorse2:

Robertson needs to move to his natural WLB position. So MLB is huge for the saints. Thats an upgrade to two positions with one move.

SLB is still my #1 huge question mark for the LB corp. Is Anthony our SLB? The saints need to answer this ASAP. I still think he is possible trade bait to get the right player or if the offer is right. I do not buy into the comments coming out of the FO 100%. SLB is were I would look to the draft early if the Anthony is not the answer in our 43. round 2 SLB T.J. Watt?

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I'm liking the thought of drafting Cunningham at OLB, he has the tools to cover rb.'s and TE's and really had little to no help getting to his draft status. I think Nolan could do this kid justice.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Hightower, Zach Brown, Ingram ... my FA wish list at the LB position.