Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Week 14 Breaux had a 'severe sprain' of his shoulder...

Everyone watching the game saw how hard PJ Williams got kicked in the head...

Most mortals who get struck like that are never the same after a blow to the head...

And at this stage of Williams career, I thought the Saints and Williams made the smart move to sit out the year...

Everyone needs to relax, we definitely have two starting outside cornerbacks...

Both were struck with severe injuries and had rookie cornerbacks as reserves - a perfect storm working against us....

Trust what I'm saying, we'll be better next season for it...

And I bet you hear talking heads talking about how deep we are next season...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Okay did anyone watch WYES (PBS) local talk show Inside New Orleans Sports hosted by Eric Asher with Sean Fazende? It was a good one...

They discussed Payton's tenure, the Red Wedding for the Special Teams and Defensive Assistance, and Personnel Moves; specifically Nick Fairley...

Fazende responded to an Asher inquiry about Fairley and that it'll cost at least 10 million/year and a couple of guaranteed years to keep Fairley...

Fazende said while Fairley has earned it, the Saints may be leery of guaranteeing that much, especially when an elite edge speed should be the priority...

There was lots of Batman and Robin analogy and that the front four play has a greater impact on the DB's than the DB's have on the front four...

Fazende explained comparably priced DL FAs with Fairley's stats and what they were earning and that the Fairley has set. matched that market...

And the question is "are the Saints willing to gamble long term with Fairley with other looming contract extensions on the horizon?"

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Saw a report somewhere that said the Ravens are going to let RT Ricky Wagner hit free agency. I don't know how willing he'd be to play guard but he needs to be high on our list right behind Kevin Zeitler.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Actually in my dream world we can sign both and Stief goes to back up for the rest of of career with the saints. Love to see him fill in as needed and for once in a long time give the saints and active rotation along the OL that does not make us all nervous.

We can sign both. Dumping 20 million into one side of the OL is not something I would buy into but two proven young guns like this I can make an exception for. Drew may get caught mumbling to himself in disbelief if the saints did declare he was the man and the final years of his playing time will be with saint and he will be protected to lead us to the promise land.

Rick Wagner RT Baltimore Ravens 26
RG Kevin Zeitler Cincinnati Bengals 26

Now this is an OL

Terron Armstead
Andrus Peat
Max Unger
Kevin Zeitler.
Ricky Wagner

Back up/mentor/coach
Zach Strief

draft a swing OG that has some OC ability to groom
Ethan Pocic C/OG/OT LSU 6056 309 5.18 Sr #77 Sr
Sean Harlow, OG./C/OT Oregon State 6041 310 5.17 #77 Sr

Let the rest fight the bubble

As for the defense stay the course. Even signing these Wagner and Zeitler would leave us enough cap to steal a couple more solid backups defense players again in 2017 that are ready to step out into the lime light and play. .
A.J. Klein MLB/OLB Carolina 25 is a top of my list.

S Erik Harris
LB Nate Stupar
LB Craig Robertson

LB James Laurinaitis Bust

DT Nick Fairley
This is one reason I would not let Nick Fairly hold us hostage. Besides a player like Johnathan Hankins NY Giants 25 who is better against the run might be better suited as a pairing with Sheldon Rankins. In a perfect world would have all three and have a great DT rotation to rival any team in the NFL.

But no way will the defense be ready to click in 2017. Baby steps is the best we can hope for. That an the football gods bless us with health. They did not get a chance to experience the much needed "gelling time" to function as a unit in 2016. This also is a reason I feel more comfortable with focusing on the offense in 2017. If the defense was even a bit more blessed to stay healthier than they were I might not go this route. But alas the football gods had different plans. maybe this is the reason why

May the football Gods bless you all
Now go forth and multiply in this this off season.
:)

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Agree on the O-line call. Even if we over-pay, it would be beneficial for several reasons.

It could add a few more years to Drew's career by improved pass protection

It could provide us more balance ran/pass wise, also adding years to Drew's career.

If we draft a young stud QB down the road, we'd have a fantastic supporting cast for him to grow quickly (see Dak Prescott)

Zig-Zag. While the league is obsessing on pass rushers, teams with the better O-lines have an advantage.

As long as we still address the few holes on our defense, I'd be fine with over-paying for a couple of stud O-linemen.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Funny how you bring up Fairley. This morning I was looking over mock drafts and one that kind od stuck out which I thought wasn't bad came from canal street cronicle. I'm thinking we should go younger at the NT position to go along with Davidson, Fairley when lined up at the nose was not effective at all. There are 2 players I'm still pondering on at the nose but trying to see which would do damage up front. I got to agree about adding another MLB and I'm also looking at the secondary on D. The draft goes deep on the secondary and DE's this year but another good NT is the key to it all.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Good call on the NT position. I feel like even if Fairley signs elsewhere we'll be ok at the 3 technique with Rankins and Onyemata (plus Cam Jordan sliding inside at times.) We have to get some depth at NT though. Maybe Ashaad Mabry from the practice squad? He flashed a few times last preseason.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Posibility with Mabry? But he has to do much more than flash, he's going to have to penetrate well and hold the point of attack, not an easy job to have and be consistant.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Been away for a while and not seen much football. Mostly due to the medication i was put on after being sick. Led to severe lethargy and a inability to really concentrate on anything.

Cant say i saw much of the second half of the year so my opinions may well be a bit off.


Seems like Dairley had a good year but my worry about paying him is the chance he adds weight and dips again. The two prove it deals with us and the Rams seemed to relight a fire but once paid will he drop off again?

Really need to shore the interior of the D line and the Oline in general from what i saw early. Not just to get the best out of Drews last few years but to give his eventual replacement something to work behind. Nothing is better for a young QB than a good line and a running game. I like Ingram but for me he isnt anything special. A good allround back but lacks the killer speed and power to be something special. As i say i like him and have backed him in the past but think its time to be looking to a replacement either in 17 or 18.

Id keep Snead for the rigjt money but not break the bank. He has filled in the Moore role fantastically but as Drew showed with Stills give him a mid tier WR and he will turn him into a 1000 yard WR.

As a great trainer said

“You got to get speed, demon speed. Speed’s what we need; we need greasy, fast speed.”

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Sorry to hear you were sick. Good quote from Rocky!!