Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Not disagreeing with y'all assessment of the player, but where does he play?

How much do you commit in FA money to a fourth/fifth Safety?

Are you sure Byrd, Vaccaro is out the door? Just committed two draft picks for Bell as well?

FS (3) 31 - Jairus Byrd, 48 - Vonn Bell, 35 - Robenson Therezie

SS (3) 32 - Kenny Vaccaro, 30 - Erik Harris, 00 - Forrest Hightower

And don't forget you've got two other guys that have been looked at the safety position (27 - Damian Swann & 43 - Jimmy Pruitt)...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Roll Tide?

Eddie Lacy posts workout video with free agency approaching | ProFootballTalk

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

This is what the Saints FO save each year by making Byrd a June 1 cut:

2017:
Cap Hit: 11.7M
Dead Money: 3.4M
Cap Savings: 8.3M

Anyone with cap expertise, feel free to chime in with further information or clarification.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I understand, but how much will his market be?

How much of a learning curve will he require?

Where does he fit in among the safeties we have, even w/o Byrd?

For me, you get that elite guard to protect Brees and get that four yards and a cloud of dust component back for the offense and get that solid pass rusher opposite Cam; extend Willie the IV, Sterling Moore, then worry about saving at Safety...

I'm not a Byrd fan, but I'd rather use the cap room in those other areas first...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

The Buccaneers have released CB Alterraun Verner, worth a look?

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Alterraun Verner is a perfect example of the over inflated CB market value even at about 7 mill a year.

Biggest or smallest point is a 5'10" does not work well in the NFC south.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Verner hasn't impressed since his days as a Titan.

Pass.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

For those that were hoping for CJ to come back and make good...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Hope for good things for him. Best of luck CJ.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

You know, I'm curious to see C.J. paired with Andy Reid...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Patterson actually looked really good when they used him as a WR. He reminds me of Meachem back in the dsy.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Sorry, rez, Patterson knows only two routes, the out, the seam-fly; he can't make a read to run his route...

Saints offense is predicated on smart receivers, making reads and precise route running and timing...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

That's pretty much all we did with Meachem for the most part. Devery was limited for a while too. I agree with you though.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

No problm. Let's sign Charles

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I read somewhere recently that he wanted to play more running back...I wonder how he'd handle that satellite RB role in our offense instead of WR.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Kinda hoping we draft Adoree' Jackson; he'd lock down that nickel back role and he'd be explosive as a return man...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

The top two position needs in my mind for free agency are Right Guard and Defensive End...

Priority is to add Kevin Zeitler to a very good offensive line of Armstead-Peat-Unger-(Zeitler)-Strief...

With Zeitler, that gives you the best offensive line in football protecting the best passer in football and really opening that running game...

Add the young triplets at WR; and then the backfield of Ingram, Lasco, & (Insert RB here) - there is no defense stopping that offense - None.

To jump start the defense, it starts up front & Chandler Jones would be great add, but will be tagged by 'Zona & that leaves Jason Pierre-Paul or Calais Campbell...

Campbell will be 31 this season; but, he could be a good one/two year rental while developing a DE from the 2nd/3rd round; plus, he's an excellent teammate...

JPP has two, three more years, but he's gonna want a four year deal with guaranteed money; that signing comes with some risks that may make the FO gun-shy...

No matter what, get Paul Kruger back at a fair number now; he'll be a year removed from injury and with a year in D.A.'s system and would be a great DE rotation with continuity...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Either Melvin Ingram, Chandler Jones, or Nick Perry has to receive a contract from the Saints this year. I'd also make the push for Kevin Zeitler like jeanpierre said. We need to draft Reuben Foster and Tre'davious White. We need A.J. Klein and Logan Ryan. Those moves would make us Super Bowl contenders. I think I'd give Eddie Lacy a contract as well.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Andy Reid is pretty much snake bit -the Marty Schottenheimer of the current era. Will get his guys to the playoffs a lot, but he'll then make some dumbass move and miss the big day once again...

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.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

One edge rusher off the market...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Financial details...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Solid player and good for Mario. 29 years and coming off a 9.5 sack season + factor in he has had at least 5 + sacks the last three seasons. Pretty good work. This signing will definitely impact Fairley's asking price.

I don't think he will see anything close to 10M in the open market.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

I don't know, I wouldn't be surprised if a team like Cleveland hands him a blank check with them switching to the 4-3 and not having a 3-technique. Look at this D-Line they would have: Myles Garrett-Danny Shelton-Nick Fairley-Emmanuel Ogbah. That could be one of the best D-Lines in the league.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

If an Alabama boy goes to a one-win Cleveland team and justifies that for say, an extra million a year,
then he's not the guy we want anyway.

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

another Sheldon? Bazinga!

I'd take him, but NYJ is smoking something if they think they'll get a first for him

as for the off field "incident":
Todd Bowles: Sheldon Richardon discipline has been taken care of | ProFootballTalk

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?
 

Why would they? He picks his games, opponents. Wouldn't want him anywhere near my team...

Re: 2017 Free Agency thread anyone?