By Nick Underhill -- Advocate



Joel Thomas knows this team has an opportunity.

The Saints running backs coach sees the names on the depth chart -- Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara -- and the possibilities start to swirl. This group could be special. This group could be one, like in 2009 and 2011 when New Orleans averaged more than 130 rushing yards per game, that complements the passing game and takes pressure off the defense.

“It’s an opportunity to do something here that hasn’t been done before,” Thomas said. “We have very talented running backs in our room right now. You can put us up there with these other groups, whether it’s Atlanta’s duo or Dallas’ duo. I think we got one of the better groups in the NFL.

“We just got to produce. That’s the bottom line. It’s all talk right now until we get to Sundays in September.”

Full story:The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's | Saints | theadvocate.com

I would have rather taken the money we spent on AP and added it to the offer for Zeitler...

Am not that optimistic about Warford at Right Guard and frustrated with Loomis failing to sign Zeitler...

Some have said that Warford doesn't have to be that good with Unger and Strief on either side of him...

With Unger out indefinitely, am getting really concerend; and Peat was only okay at guard...

Gotta say, I'm more than a little concerned with our interior offensive line right now...

I would have rather taken the money we spent on AP and added it to the offer for Zeitler...

Am not that optimistic about Warford at Right Guard and frustrated with Loomis failing to sign Zeitler...

Some have said that Warford doesn't have to be that good with Unger and Strief on either side of him...

With Unger out indefinitely, am getting really concerend; and Peat was only okay at guard...

Gotta say, I'm more than a little concerned with our interior offensive line right now...

So you'd have added a drop of water to the Saints' squirt gun against Cleveland's water cannon? Look at the contracts. Quick summary:

Zeitler: 3 years, $31 million guaranteed, $42 million total outlay
Warford: 2 years, $17 million guaranteed, $21 million total outlay

In short, it's no contest as Zeitler's contract is essentially double of Warford's. So AP's $3 million or so is essentially a drop in the bucket.


It's pretty clear the Saints didn't have the money to make a valid offer fo Zeitler.

It's just not possible to have All Pro starters at every position and All pro backups too. Last season the O-line was very effective. This season, at least on paper, the O-line is upgraded.

BTW Unger isn't out indefinitely. Depending on reports, he's unavailable for 3-5 months. The outside edge of that is the 1st quarter of the season plus the bye. If that's what it takes to get his foot healthy enough to play the rest of the season, then it's time well spent.

Every season folks worry about something on offense. Yet every season the offense seems to do fine as long as #9 is back there taking snaps. Last I checked, that hasn't changed.

If you want fact based worrying, then filling in for injuries should be the target. This seems to happen all over the organization.

SFIAH

What if Klein and Okafor don't work out? Then what?

Then we have 9 other linebackers and 4 other defensive linemen to plug into the spot.

I'm pretty sure I'll never get this concept through to you, but I'm going to try anyway. NFL Football isn't like basketball or baseball where the addition of a single superstar can completely turn around a franchise. Football is a system game where the best overall collection of scheme, coaching and talent carries the day. It's not possible to draft, trade, or sign a single player, even a QB, that can turn a franchise into a dynasty.

Do I think that this defense will be the 85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens? No. But with the other phases of the game the Saints have, they don't need to be for the team to have success in 2017.

SFIAH

So you'd have added a drop of water to the Saints' squirt gun against Cleveland's water cannon? Look at the contracts. Quick summary:

Zeitler: 3 years, $31 million guaranteed, $42 million total outlay
Warford: 2 years, $17 million guaranteed, $21 million total outlay

In short, it's no contest as Zeitler's contract is essentially double of Warford's. So AP's $3 million or so is essentially a drop in the bucket.


It's pretty clear the Saints didn't have the money to make a valid offer fo Zeitler.

It's just not possible to have All Pro starters at every position and All pro backups too. Last season the O-line was very effective. This season, at least on paper, the O-line is upgraded.

BTW Unger isn't out indefinitely. Depending on reports, he's unavailable for 3-5 months. The outside edge of that is the 1st quarter of the season plus the bye. If that's what it takes to get his foot healthy enough to play the rest of the season, then it's time well spent.

Every season folks worry about something on offense. Yet every season the offense seems to do fine as long as #9 is back there taking snaps. Last I checked, that hasn't changed.

If you want fact based worrying, then filling in for injuries should be the target. This seems to happen all over the organization.

SFIAH

Every season folks worry about something on offense. Yet every season the offense seems to do fine as long as #9 is back there taking snaps. Last I checked, that hasn't changed.

Except when he plays the likes of Houston and Detroit.