Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft!

TheDeuce · 04-16-2005, 04:54 PM

First off I want to state my position that I think Thomas Davis would be a very solid draft pick if we were to use the #16 on him. What I think of when I think of Davis is a purely athletic beast who knows how to play the game. His athleticism, from several scouting reports posted here on B&G and elsewhere, is apparently very good. Personally, that makes me excited about having that kind of player on the Saints. I mean, look at the rest of our linebackers. Courtney Watson was slated as a \"thinking man\'s\" linebacker who made up for his lack of athleticism with his deep knowledge of the game. Sure, it\'s good that we have a linebacker who knows the difference between his arse and a football, but knowledge of your position can only take you so far. Derrick Rodgers, Darrin Smith, and Orlando Ruff have all slowed down considerably.
I think a fiery athletic kid like Thomas Davis would be well worth a #16 draft choice.

pakowitz · 04-16-2005, 06:00 PM

i have to say that i like the idea of drafting crowder as well. i hated watching the guy play against LSU b/c he always seemed to make every tackle or be right there. he is an animal and is always around the ball and when he hits u, he lets u know about it.....

zachsaints52 · 04-16-2005, 06:14 PM

I personally would love to get Kirk Morrison, say what you want, but he can play. He was being talked like Derrick Johnson, but he is a MLB. He may not have the name, but I htink he has what DJ has. The thing I love about Morrison is he is a fierce competitior, and he will get onto the teamates if they are messing up. I believe we should trade down in the second, pick up a later pick, get either a CB or Jamaal Brown in the first, get Morrison, and than get a DT who falls into the third. Also, It wouldn\'t be bad if we get Wallace.

[Edited on 16/4/2005 by zachsaints52]

saintz08 · 04-16-2005, 07:26 PM

I think the high profile free-agents want to go to a team that has a legit shot of making it to the super bowl. Now, I think that \"money\" is what they are really after. But the money is there from teams like the Cowboys, Eagles, Panthers, etc., ect...

Hey GumboBc

Was that a legit shot and money from the Panthers and an Atta Boy for Jake under legit shot ????

WhoDat · 04-17-2005, 10:16 AM

The draft is fine, when lookin to merely upgrade or build depth. When it comes to a glaring need, I prefer a proven FA. Too many rookies never pan out. Haz claimed no LBs were available, but I was dissapointed to see Spikes & others flee their squads. I didn\'t even hear of us inquiring about Spikes. He went to the Pro Bowl.

Don\'t give in so fast Zulu... especially not to Billy.

You\'re absolutely correct. IMHO, one of the biggest failures of this staff over the last 4 years has been FA. FOr the last couple of years it\'s been a \"do nothing\" approach. Even when they do something, Orlanso Ruff is what you get. You talk about the Takeo Spikes year. He was a guy I really wanted also, but knew that the Saints would never make a pass at him. However, Chris Claiborne - who is a much better LB than Ruff - went for $1 million more over 3 years than what we signed Ruff for. The Saints had the third most money available under the cap in FA that year. That is horse sh!t.

Looking at the Saints right now, it\'s hard to see much significant improvement that will really affect the bottom line (wins and losses). I\'m not sure how a few more rookies is going to improve that outlook yet. I guess if they trade Howard and draft a LB, DT, OT, and CB or WR in the first three rounds, I\'ll be a little more excited. But I do not have faith in the Saints\' staff to take the right players or the right positions.

Thus, just like the last few years, the Saints\' chances this year will turn on young players maturing quickly and a few chronic underachievers to finally put it all together and step their games up. It can happen, but I don\'t hold a ton of faith. I feel that the Saints do have a legit shot at making the playoffs - but being a true contender after this offseason? Doubtful... but then stranger things have happened.

mutineer10 · 04-17-2005, 01:15 PM

I\'m with Danno on Barrett Ruud. The more I read and see of him on the draft previews, the more I like the guy. Might be reaching to nab him at #16, but if we could trade down and still get him...

Still a bit leary of Crowder, though. The doubts about his knees coupled with reckless play (which could inevitably lead to MORE injuries) doesn\'t really sell me on him. At best, maybe he\'s another Dan Morgan.

[Edited on 17/4/2005 by mutineer10]

04-16-2005, 04:54 PM	#21
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! First off I want to state my position that I think Thomas Davis would be a very solid draft pick if we were to use the #16 on him. What I think of when I think of Davis is a purely athletic beast who knows how to play the game. His athleticism, from several scouting reports posted here on B&G and elsewhere, is apparently very good. Personally, that makes me excited about having that kind of player on the Saints. I mean, look at the rest of our linebackers. Courtney Watson was slated as a \"thinking man\'s\" linebacker who made up for his lack of athleticism with his deep knowledge of the game. Sure, it\'s good that we have a linebacker who knows the difference between his arse and a football, but knowledge of your position can only take you so far. Derrick Rodgers, Darrin Smith, and Orlando Ruff have all slowed down considerably. I think a fiery athletic kid like Thomas Davis would be well worth a #16 draft choice.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

04-16-2005, 06:00 PM	#22
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! i have to say that i like the idea of drafting crowder as well. i hated watching the guy play against LSU b/c he always seemed to make every tackle or be right there. he is an animal and is always around the ball and when he hits u, he lets u know about it.....

04-16-2005, 06:14 PM	#23
zachsaints52 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Abingdon, Virginia Posts: 522	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! I personally would love to get Kirk Morrison, say what you want, but he can play. He was being talked like Derrick Johnson, but he is a MLB. He may not have the name, but I htink he has what DJ has. The thing I love about Morrison is he is a fierce competitior, and he will get onto the teamates if they are messing up. I believe we should trade down in the second, pick up a later pick, get either a CB or Jamaal Brown in the first, get Morrison, and than get a DT who falls into the third. Also, It wouldn\'t be bad if we get Wallace. [Edited on 16/4/2005 by zachsaints52]

04-16-2005, 07:26 PM	#24
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! I think the high profile free-agents want to go to a team that has a legit shot of making it to the super bowl. Now, I think that \"money\" is what they are really after. But the money is there from teams like the Cowboys, Eagles, Panthers, etc., ect... Hey GumboBc Was that a legit shot and money from the Panthers and an Atta Boy for Jake under legit shot ????
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020

04-17-2005, 10:16 AM	#25
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! The draft is fine, when lookin to merely upgrade or build depth. When it comes to a glaring need, I prefer a proven FA. Too many rookies never pan out. Haz claimed no LBs were available, but I was dissapointed to see Spikes & others flee their squads. I didn\'t even hear of us inquiring about Spikes. He went to the Pro Bowl. Don\'t give in so fast Zulu... especially not to Billy. You\'re absolutely correct. IMHO, one of the biggest failures of this staff over the last 4 years has been FA. FOr the last couple of years it\'s been a \"do nothing\" approach. Even when they do something, Orlanso Ruff is what you get. You talk about the Takeo Spikes year. He was a guy I really wanted also, but knew that the Saints would never make a pass at him. However, Chris Claiborne - who is a much better LB than Ruff - went for $1 million more over 3 years than what we signed Ruff for. The Saints had the third most money available under the cap in FA that year. That is horse sh!t. Looking at the Saints right now, it\'s hard to see much significant improvement that will really affect the bottom line (wins and losses). I\'m not sure how a few more rookies is going to improve that outlook yet. I guess if they trade Howard and draft a LB, DT, OT, and CB or WR in the first three rounds, I\'ll be a little more excited. But I do not have faith in the Saints\' staff to take the right players or the right positions. Thus, just like the last few years, the Saints\' chances this year will turn on young players maturing quickly and a few chronic underachievers to finally put it all together and step their games up. It can happen, but I don\'t hold a ton of faith. I feel that the Saints do have a legit shot at making the playoffs - but being a true contender after this offseason? Doubtful... but then stranger things have happened.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse \"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

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04-17-2005, 01:15 PM	#26
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	Linebackers just ain't looking too good in the draft! I\'m with Danno on Barrett Ruud. The more I read and see of him on the draft previews, the more I like the guy. Might be reaching to nab him at #16, but if we could trade down and still get him... Still a bit leary of Crowder, though. The doubts about his knees coupled with reckless play (which could inevitably lead to MORE injuries) doesn\'t really sell me on him. At best, maybe he\'s another Dan Morgan. [Edited on 17/4/2005 by mutineer10]