The 5 most important players in '05.

Danno · 03-28-2005, 04:00 PM

I really think all of us would be better served looking at actual production rather than potential. Because when we talk about potential, I think we start to overrate certain players.

Does that work both ways? Are certain players * cough * Horn * cough * underrated based on what they actually do on the field?

Ooooh, thats a good point.

And take the draft. Since not one single player has proven themselves on the NFL level, should we ignore their potential? Is Derrick Johnson over-rated? Alex Smith? Aaron Rogers? Ronnie Brown? After all all they have is potential, they haven\'t proven squat.

The fact is every year, every team designs its team based on what they think each player can do for you in the upcoming season.

You can\'t separate potential from the equation. Joe Horn has potential in 2005. He has potential to let his age catch up to him and regress, but he also has the potential to have an even better 2005 than 2004. The only difference is some players have a history in the NFL that allows teams to more accurately predict his potential for the upcoming year.

baronm · 03-28-2005, 04:20 PM

Thank you both Gumbo and Baron, for defusing what could have become another thread I\'d have to edit. I too get tired of somethings posted for what seems like the umpteenth time but most of the time at least the poster tries to come from a different slant. I have the idea that if I don\'t like what\'s in a thread I don\'t have to (a) read it and (b) post to it. What I do get tired of(since I have to read every single post to every single thread) is when a poster chooses to belittle another member because he dosen\'t like the post. That I will edit! We are here to talk Saints football and NFL football and that\'s it.

So thanks again guys for trying to make our job easier.

See, I don\'t play favorites, I even edit myself!

[Edited on 28/3/2005 by JOESAM2002]

well to be honest-it wasn\'t personal..but I have had it done to me where I felt it was...but moving on....

I really think all of us would be better served looking at actual production rather than potential. Because when we talk about potential, I think we start to overrate certain players.

I think the difference-let\'s take watson who is in his 2nd year...he hasn\'t had the chance whereas someone like t-bucky had three years.

what i want to make clear is that just like when looking at the QB and the O-line (no, i\'mnot going there) the linebackers generally must have good production from the D-line to perform..yet watson lead all linebackers statistically..even with a piss poor d-line.

that says something about him.

tommorrow or tonight..i want to quote a passage from sporting news\' draft index about watson...it said something like-he overcame lack of hieght and athletism to be one of our best linebackers and a gem for the future--my paraphrase...

so here\'s my question (which I\'ve been asking)..what is worse: watson as a MLB or allen and colby as OLB and 2. can watson play OLB if we bring in dat/Ruud/thurman/mCune/mike singletaries clone....

JKool · 03-28-2005, 04:51 PM

If Mike Singletary\'s clone becomes available, we should definitely get him and move Watson to WLB.

I don\'t have a real problem with Watson at MLB; I think as Green progresses (or if we get a real DT), Watson can only be benefited (as you point out).

mutineer10 · 03-28-2005, 07:07 PM

It\'s been discussed - at great length - that the performance of our secondary is negligable if the opposing team is never forced to throw the ball. Therefore, the interior line and linebackers are naturally the area where the most improvement is necessary. If a safety manages to lead the team in tackles again next year, obviously the improvements will not have been made.

I remain doubtful that we\'ll see a \"new\" Johnathan Sullivan next season, but I\'ll be pleasantly surprised if he steps up. An improvement from Sullivan would also free Brian Young up to make more plays. Coupled with solid play from the ends (barring injury), the d-line has almost nowhere to go but up.

The defense obviously improved the last four games of last season, but I\'m not sure we\'re condemned to Watson, Allen and Bockwoldt. Orlando Ruff is still a big hitter and is capable against the run. If he could make some mental improvements, I think he could be a servicable starter (at least on 1st and 2nd down). He\'s not my first choice, but we might as well use what\'s there.

Levar Fisher was a starter in Arizona. Chronic injuries have left his future in serious doubt, but he\'s young and could hopefully surprise. Otherwise, I guess we signed another Cie Grant...

Nobody\'s gonna argue that improvements must be made on defense. The good news is, they\'re gonna have a hard time being any worse... :casstet:

JKool · 03-28-2005, 07:11 PM

It is too bad Ruff\'s coverage skills aren\'t so good; I bet he\'d make a good (or at least serviceable) SLB.

Fisher is kind of an x-factor, isn\'t he? Good point, Mutey.

I with you on Sully.

03-28-2005, 04:00 PM	#31
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,713	The 5 most important players in '05. I really think all of us would be better served looking at actual production rather than potential. Because when we talk about potential, I think we start to overrate certain players. Does that work both ways? Are certain players * cough * Horn * cough * underrated based on what they actually do on the field? Ooooh, thats a good point. And take the draft. Since not one single player has proven themselves on the NFL level, should we ignore their potential? Is Derrick Johnson over-rated? Alex Smith? Aaron Rogers? Ronnie Brown? After all all they have is potential, they haven\'t proven squat. The fact is every year, every team designs its team based on what they think each player can do for you in the upcoming season. You can\'t separate potential from the equation. Joe Horn has potential in 2005. He has potential to let his age catch up to him and regress, but he also has the potential to have an even better 2005 than 2004. The only difference is some players have a history in the NFL that allows teams to more accurately predict his potential for the upcoming year.

03-28-2005, 04:20 PM	#32
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	The 5 most important players in '05. Thank you both Gumbo and Baron, for defusing what could have become another thread I\'d have to edit. I too get tired of somethings posted for what seems like the umpteenth time but most of the time at least the poster tries to come from a different slant. I have the idea that if I don\'t like what\'s in a thread I don\'t have to (a) read it and (b) post to it. What I do get tired of(since I have to read every single post to every single thread) is when a poster chooses to belittle another member because he dosen\'t like the post. That I will edit! We are here to talk Saints football and NFL football and that\'s it. So thanks again guys for trying to make our job easier. See, I don\'t play favorites, I even edit myself! [Edited on 28/3/2005 by JOESAM2002] well to be honest-it wasn\'t personal..but I have had it done to me where I felt it was...but moving on.... I really think all of us would be better served looking at actual production rather than potential. Because when we talk about potential, I think we start to overrate certain players. I think the difference-let\'s take watson who is in his 2nd year...he hasn\'t had the chance whereas someone like t-bucky had three years. what i want to make clear is that just like when looking at the QB and the O-line (no, i\'mnot going there) the linebackers generally must have good production from the D-line to perform..yet watson lead all linebackers statistically..even with a piss poor d-line. that says something about him. tommorrow or tonight..i want to quote a passage from sporting news\' draft index about watson...it said something like-he overcame lack of hieght and athletism to be one of our best linebackers and a gem for the future--my paraphrase... so here\'s my question (which I\'ve been asking)..what is worse: watson as a MLB or allen and colby as OLB and 2. can watson play OLB if we bring in dat/Ruud/thurman/mCune/mike singletaries clone....
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

03-28-2005, 04:51 PM	#33
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	The 5 most important players in '05. If Mike Singletary\'s clone becomes available, we should definitely get him and move Watson to WLB. I don\'t have a real problem with Watson at MLB; I think as Green progresses (or if we get a real DT), Watson can only be benefited (as you point out).

03-28-2005, 07:07 PM	#34
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	The 5 most important players in '05. It\'s been discussed - at great length - that the performance of our secondary is negligable if the opposing team is never forced to throw the ball. Therefore, the interior line and linebackers are naturally the area where the most improvement is necessary. If a safety manages to lead the team in tackles again next year, obviously the improvements will not have been made. I remain doubtful that we\'ll see a \"new\" Johnathan Sullivan next season, but I\'ll be pleasantly surprised if he steps up. An improvement from Sullivan would also free Brian Young up to make more plays. Coupled with solid play from the ends (barring injury), the d-line has almost nowhere to go but up. The defense obviously improved the last four games of last season, but I\'m not sure we\'re condemned to Watson, Allen and Bockwoldt. Orlando Ruff is still a big hitter and is capable against the run. If he could make some mental improvements, I think he could be a servicable starter (at least on 1st and 2nd down). He\'s not my first choice, but we might as well use what\'s there. Levar Fisher was a starter in Arizona. Chronic injuries have left his future in serious doubt, but he\'s young and could hopefully surprise. Otherwise, I guess we signed another Cie Grant... Nobody\'s gonna argue that improvements must be made on defense. The good news is, they\'re gonna have a hard time being any worse... :casstet:

03-28-2005, 07:11 PM	#35
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	The 5 most important players in '05. It is too bad Ruff\'s coverage skills aren\'t so good; I bet he\'d make a good (or at least serviceable) SLB. Fisher is kind of an x-factor, isn\'t he? Good point, Mutey. I with you on Sully.

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