|
this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; 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 ...
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
03-15-2017, 02:51 PM | #1 |
Rating:
(0 votes - average)
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. |
|
Views: 3958
|
Latest Blogs | |
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn
Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey
CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey |
03-15-2017, 03:24 PM | #2 |
1000 Posts +
|
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.
|
03-15-2017, 03:33 PM | #3 |
Site Donor 2019
|
Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
|
03-15-2017, 03:46 PM | #4 |
Fan Since 1967
|
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! |
03-15-2017, 03:51 PM | #5 |
Site Donor 2015
|
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
|
03-15-2017, 05:23 PM | #6 |
Site Donor 2015
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia
Posts: 4,961
|
Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
|
03-15-2017, 06:57 PM | #7 |
10000 POST CLUB
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bossier City, LA
Posts: 26,048
|
Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
|
03-15-2017, 07:11 PM | #8 |
5000 POSTS! +
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kenner, LA
Posts: 7,848
|
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.
|
03-15-2017, 07:13 PM | #9 |
100th Post
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 468
|
Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
What's the deal with Kikaha? Did he do another knee?
|
03-15-2017, 07:24 PM | #10 |
Breakin Records
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Deville, Louisiana
Posts: 2,167
|
Re: Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement
I like the signing ! I like everything about this offseason so far...
|
|
|
LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/81952-saints-add-needed-pass-rusher-alex-okafor-agreement.html
|
||||
Posted By | For | Type | Date | Hits |
Saints add needed pass-rusher with Alex Okafor agreement | This thread | Refback | 03-15-2017 03:19 PM | 3 |
The Latest New Orleans Saints News | SportSpyder | This thread | Refback | 03-15-2017 03:16 PM | 14 |