Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints addressed one of their most glaring needs by signing former Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor to a one-year deal.

Okafor said Tuesday the Saints plan to use him at defensive end.

"Obviously they're making defense a big priority this offseason. And there's an opportunity at the opposite D-end away from Cam (Jordan), and I know I can be that guy. I saw that there was the opportunity, and I pounced on it.

"I think the Saints are so close to being contenders this year, and for me to be able to come in and contribute right away and make something special happen here, I couldn't turn that down."

Coach Sean Payton said before free agency that it was a must for the Saints to add an edge-rushing defensive end, but many of the elite pass-rushers were kept off the market via the franchise tag.
Okafor is not a bad consolation prize, however.

He is a solid role player who can spell the team's edge rushers while still pressuring offenses. He is long and lean and has shown the ability to get to the quarterback, with 13.5 career sacks, including 3.5 in 2016.

Okafor's playing time with the Cardinals was reduced dramatically last season to 214 snaps from 575 in 2015 because of the addition of Chandler Jones and the emergence of Markus Golden.

Okafor, who turned 26 in February, was drafted in the fourth round (No. 103 overall) by the Cardinals in the 2013 draft.
Alex Okafor agrees to contract with New Orleans Saints

Now this is a move I like for a defense building for the future. Solid low risk high rewards without spending a ton of money. We need quantity of solid players vs a big splash on one or two players.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

I don't mind it, considering he's cheap, and we weren't going to be able to get an elite pass rusher in free agency. If he's no more than a situational player, he's probably better than much of what we have at DE. Kikaha has a substantial history of knee injuries and I just can't pencil him in as a regular contributor until I see him play and he shows he's healthy.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Man I'm hoping for the BEST but bracing for the worst.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

If Kikaha gets healthy and stays healthy, the addition of Okafor, the signing of Butler, the signing of J Klein, resigning Sterling and a DE and CB in round 1 and 2 I think we may have addressed the problems with the defense.

MY ONLY QUESTION IS WHY IN THE HELL DIDN'T WE MAKE ALL OF THESE MOVES 4 YEARS AGO!

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Was talking with some UK fans early and saying that the issue has been since Williams got the blame and booted in 2011 youve seen Spagnolo,Ryan and Allen all as DC,a move from a blitz heavy 4-3 to Spags front 4 rushing 4-3 to a Ryan 3-4 back to Allens 4-3. That is o way to run a team. Constant drafting a squad of squares and jamming them in round holes

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

But that's the modus operandi for the Saints...

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Was the modus operandi really for the Saints or only what was in the past? A solid direction is in place.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

If he's healthy he's going to start. He's in his natural position again. Defensive End.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

What's the deal with Kikaha? Did he do another knee?

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

I like the signing ! I like everything about this offseason so far...

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

No. He'll be full go. Lot's of people are forgetting his potential impact.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Kikaha is an impact player but with the injury risks you have to cut back on his snaps as much as you can to keep healthy as long as you can

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Another "prove it" deal. Worked with fairley might work with the guy

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Glad it's a 1-year deal, see what he can do first. Hope he gets after it like he's a Longhorn again as a 4-3 rusher.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Kikaha was a very productive college player. In the NFL he's an average tweener. Not big enough for a DE. Not athletic enough for a LB. Throw in the injuries, and my guess is this is his last NFL camp. If he makes that.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

It wasn't that bad...

http://i.imgur.com/pVcEKrQ.gif

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

Better draft another DE in the first two rounds. We aren't there yet but we can draft BPA again like we prefer going into the draft. It's tough drafting for need.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

What signing of Butler? And four years ago we had a good defense.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

We haven't had a good defense here since 2009 and even that is suspect.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

2013 was a great defense, 4th overall in defense and 2nd overall in pass defense.

Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
 

While I wouldn't classify it as a great defense, it was much better than most give credit for.

Good point dizz