New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

A very good article.


The New Orleans Saints will finally have some breathing room under the cap for the 2017 offseason. But even with more cap space than they’ve had in a few years, they are well behind the league average.

There’s reason to believe the New Orleans Saints will look to cut or restructure some of their less productive veterans in order to free up more space. Jairus Byrd is a popular name among fans and media outlets for either one of these moves.

http://b.fssta.com/uploads/2017/01/9...767.high.0.jpg

But it would be a mistake for the Saints to cut Byrd in 2017. Wait until 2018.

The Saints have a history of tying up big money in underachieving players, and then cutting them once it’s clear that they’d made a mistake. The dead money that accumulates from these moves has been a thorn in the Saints side for years.

Finally, it’s looking like the team might be crawling out of the dead money dungeon. So why tie up more dead money in a player that has contributed positively all year?

And don’t mistake it: Byrd has contributed positively all year. He’s been one of the defense’s most consistent performers, and arguably their best tackler, ever since his benching after Week 3.


New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd

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Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

This is a tough one. I like the article and think they are probably correct. I really think if our CB spot can manage to stay healthy, it will help the safeties. This season was such a mash unit it's hard to really gauge what could have been had we not had every starting CB get injured.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

Agree completely, Mike. Byrd finally had his most injury free games and the rest of the secondary was decimated by injuries or suspension. The secondary is a unit and no part can be as strong without the entire unit doing their job.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

I'm sold

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

It takes a while to recover from bad knee injuries. Reckon he will be ready to go next season. We'd be silly to release him.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

not all that hard really. no real back up option is on the roster. so we are stuck really.

FS is still on my shopping list.

IMO Vonn Bell has not shown the Instincts required for a player lacks size and top end speed. These make instincts critical for a FS like him. He needs even more SS help than Byrd to patrol the back end. As a slot CB sure but alone all by himself he has shown little improvement all year. He is best in the box at this level. So far.

Byrd should feel pretty safe about 2017.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

It's been stated before but financially and from a field stand point it would be beneficial to keep (pay restructure) Byrd another year. Then when 2018 rolls around, cut bait if you so choose to do so.

Vonn Bell isn't ready.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

Great article. Maybe he could figure that angle thing out with some decent coaching. Look at what happened with Jenkins once he moved on.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

Put JB on the trading block and Belichik will grab him and make him a Superstar. Jenkins is a prime example of what coaching can do.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

No restructure?
No Byrd.
That is the word.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

The whole article falls apart at the end.

"Bell is not ready right now.*

Why can he not be ready by week one of next season?

Byrd's injuries may have been the reason and scheme may have been the reason.

He hasn't performed well at all.

Reasons are irrelevant at this point.

I could be wrong and if the Saints keep him, I hope that I am.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

I don't think Vonn is ready yet either. I would like to keep Byrd for one more season, but it would be far better for him and the Saints if we can restructure him. If not he has to recognize this will be his final season in New Orleans. What would he command on the open market? 30+ year old Safety that was hurt the better part of two years. I think a restructure would be best, if not then we have to ddeal with it for one more year and then cut him. He had 82 tackles this year which was third most in his career.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

well that's a gamble, but we could cut Byrd later if we think he will be. I don't want to gamble on the d side of the ball again

I think you nailed it though, do our absolute best to restructure him.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

He was one of our highest rated defensive players this season. Cam Jordan may be the only player on that side of the ball that played better since he came back from that week three benching.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

The defense plays better when we play the three safety set. That is probably worth keeping him next year. However, if we can develop some LB'ers with new coaching then we might be able to play more traditionally and go back to a 4-3 vs a 4-2-5.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

I did over-generalize when I stated that he hasn't played well at all.

He did play well in one stretch over three years.

We are both correct.

However, his longer stretches of poor performance when he was on the field, coupled with his absence, makes me wary when looking at his entire tenure as a Saint.

My family met him in public last year.
He was gracious and giving of his personal time with my children.
I really love the dude for that.
He is aces in our household.

I have no axe to grind with the man personally.
Quite the opposite.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

I understand, but I base my thoughts about his future value on his most recent past, the only period of time he has been fully healthy since arriving in New Orleans. Then again, I always expect the best. It is healthier for me.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

its a no-brainer guys byrd is ours for the forseeable future to me anyway, we got this dude finally getting his name called in 3 seasons and possibly his healthiest in them years, so why give him away to make new englands all pro team thats where our duds land up right.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

We have already paid for him this long, why not one more. He started to really turn it on later in the season. We will need to fill his void by signing another layer anyway.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd
 

Really just basic math. Cut him and you get 3.7 to play with, but are saddled with $8 million dead.
He won't earn his $11.7 this year, but that mistake was made 3 years ago, and there is no reason to make another mistake now.
He did have 80+ tackles, so it looks like he is finally healthy and getting it.