Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 749987)

His rookie season was lights out

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 749980)

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate


http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townn...ize=1200%2C880
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

Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 749987)

I hope Larry Warford returns to the player he early on and not the the player he was the last few years. Not saying the signing was bad but I know his game deteriorated for what ever the reason was in Detroit.

Warford was Pro Football Focus' No. 19 guard last season, receiving plus marks for his run blocking.
Larry Warford - New Orleans Saints - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

His rookie season was lights out

Originally Posted by neugey (Post 749990)

Week 1 is going to be interesting and telling for both teams - Peterson, Ingram and Kamara versus Latavious, McKinnon and Cook.

Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 750008)

I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available?

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 750022)

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...

Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 750008)

I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available?

Originally Posted by CharityMike (Post 750024)

Yeah well..just think how we all felt last season looking at our O line get raped for 4 preseason games. The line always seems to work out so Im gonna keep the faith until I have a reason to not.

Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 750026)

Yes there was a player better but we did not go for broke to sign him...
At times you gotta roll the dice. After years of rolling the dice in FA I like this one better than Byrd, Browner and Fleener.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 750022)

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

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 750022)

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

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...

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 750022)

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...

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 750034)

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

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 750034)

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

Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 750105)

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

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 750034)

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.

Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 750106)

Except when he plays the likes of Houston and Detroit.

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 750154)

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

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL (Post 750156)

OK then genius GM, who would you have taking snaps over the last 11 seasons that both has the historical production and is successful against Houston and Detroit?

I know you are a grass is greener type of guy. That somehow in each and every player, coaching, and GM positions, that there's a better option that the options we have now.

But unfortunately for you, the offseason in terms of talent evaluation and acquisition is now over. The vast majority of the 53 for 2017 are currently on the 90 man roster. So instead of speculating of "what if an asteroid hits Airline Drive?" or "the HOF QB had a tough game against a good defense" instead tell us how to use the assets we have for maximum positve impact.

SFIAH

Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 750181)

If we didn't sign Klein and Okafor, we would have the money for Zeitler. I think its rediculous we abandoned the thought of getting a big FA when the reason Byrd flopped was because we didn't have the players on defense to support him. He was also signed because of Payton's jealousy of Seattle and not him really being a need whatsoever. Browner we knew drew penalties, everyone said well at least he's aggressive. Don't believe me? Pull up the old thread where he was signed. Zeitler would have been money well spent. Payton just doesn't understand these intangibles.