The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

It feels as if the NFL Draft will never get here. Even though it's only a couple of days away.

I just got through reading an article in which Haslett and Loomis indicated they were interested in upgrading the LB corp.

The article talked about how the Saints haven't used a 1st round pick on a LB since Mark Fields.

However, it was also said that there are probably only 2 linebackers in the entire draft that are worthy of being picked in the 1st round.

Those 2-linebackers are Georgia's Thomas Davis and Derrick Johnson of Texas.

While Thomas Davis primarily played safety in college, most NFL scouts think he will be an outstanding outside LB. And they think Davis will have very little trouble making the transition from safety to outside linebacker.

For the record: I'll be happy with either Thomas Davis or Derrick Johnson (if we somehow can trade up to get him)

But counting on the Saints to draft a LB in the 1st round is risky business. Or is it?

Even though the Saints have not selected a 1st round LB in the past few drafts, I believe they would have if the players they wanted were still on the board.

No?

This year I think most fans are very sceptical about who Haslett and company will select in the 1st round. And I am too.

But I don't think the Saints will let their man get away this time.

And I really think the Saints are going to trade Howard in order to move up in the draft and select ......... Derrick Johnson of Texas.


[Edited on 21/4/2005 by GumboBC]

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

I get that feeling too Gumbo. I think there\'s a lot of pressure on Haslett and the rest of the FO to get their man this year, especially after missing out on the one\'s they really wanted to get the last few years. I\'ve been saying it for the last 2 weeks, I really hope we get DJ!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

The way I see it, and the way they\'ve conducted their smokescreens in the past, its pretty obvious the pick won\'t be Davis or Barnes, the two they have stated they liked.

I think they pull a surprise and either
1. Trade up and land the guy they say is a 2nd rounder on their board (yeah right Mickey) Derrick Johnson. It\'ll depend on how the dominos fall and will include Darren Howard and a pick exchange of some sort.

2. Trade down for more picks. But since everyone else wants too also it may be difficult to get trade down value.

3. Pick the guy who unexpectedly slips (according to their rankings), maybe a Marcus Spears DE/DT LSU, or Shawne Merriman DE/LB Maryland to play the SAM, or Carlos Rogers CB Auburn.

The more I think about it the less likely I see it being Thomas Davis.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Exactly, Danno.

When\'s the last time Haslett and Loomis told the truth about the draft?

I think Haslett said don\'t ever listen to him before the draft. That is .. unless you wanted to hear a bunch of lies !! :mad:

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Just read my new SIG, It says it all. ;)

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

I definitely see us trading Howard and our 1st rounder to Dallas (if DJ is still on the board when they pick first) and a 3rd rounder -- But I think that is the only way we move up in the draft -- Other than that the way I see it is that we get a early 2nd round for Howard and use our first pick on Davis or Barron and the early second rounder on Chowder. Of course if by some miracle a Spears or Rolle drops into our lap all bets are off

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

This is true, you can never listen to anybody from the Saints before the draft. My biggest concern going into the draft is that we\'re going to do that whole \'draft the guy who unexpectedly slipped to the 16th spot.\' (Will Smith)

On one hand it wouldn\'t be bad having a guy with more talent than is worthy of a #16 pick, but on the other hand, I don\'t want to be taking a player who isn\'t going to help us fill some of the NEEDS that we have. FOr example, if we take a Marcus Spears, I\'ll be pissed. Even though he\'s a very talented player, he isn\'t going to fill any glaring hole in our defense. That\'s my position.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

We should only listen when they are talking about Sullivan right Gum? :o

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

saintswhodi --

Aren\'t you the guy who told us that the offense was to blame for the poor defense? :o

One more zinger before I go ....

Aren\'t you the one who suggested Haslett always told the truth during the regular season but always lied during the offseaon? :o

ZiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNG :o

[Edited on 21/4/2005 by GumboBC]

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Um, no. I am the guy who told you an inept offense made an already BAD defense look worse. You\'ll get that right one day. :P

Um, no. I am the guy that said I found an article of Haslett being critical of Sullivan DURING THE SEASON, while a certain Gumbo BC kept screaming to all who would listen that Sullivan was talented, used Haslett to back him up, then found an article written weeks after his statements(still trying to figure that one) as his proof. :o :o

Then this same individual, when confronted with this evidence, decided to go on a rant that I should never quote Haslett during the offseason. So actually, you are the one who said I am only to quote Haz during the season, to disguise how wrong you were. :o :o :o

Any more? And how long til the draft again?

[Edited on 21/4/2005 by saintswhodi]

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

saintwhodi --

First ... the draft can\'t get here soon enough for me.

Second ... I said that obviously Sullivan was talented but his attitude had been the problem. I then showed you a RECENT article in which Haslett said the exact samething.

But ... you dismissed what Haslett said because it was the offseaon.

And you then posted an article, written during the season, in which Haslett said Sullivan wasn\'t playing up to expectations.

Like that really proved Sullivan doesn\'t have talent, saintwhodi.

I hear Ricky Williams has been visiting you.

Leave that wacky-weed alone. ;)

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Hey, it\'s two days before the draft. What do you want? ;)

What you said was, Haslett said Sully has talent, and used that to justify your position. You said it BEFORE that article was printed. Then when that article came out, you used it to justify what you said. I asked for an article from the time you were making these statements, there were none. Hence, the problem I am still having. And ricky was visiting me? ;)

And on top of that, NOW you tell me everythign Haslett says before the draft is lies. So since he talked about Sully BEFORE the draft, would that not them make what he said a lie? Wrap your head around that. :P

Hurry up draft please. Lord let us not be inept. :casstet:

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Interesting mock over on neworleansprofootball.com...they\'ve got a \"draft board\" compiled from the best information they could glean from over at Saints camp and such, and when they start trying to logically sort out players to all of the teams selecting ahead of NO, by the time they get to #16 the top player left on the Saints board they\'ve compiled is Marcus Spears. They say he could easily fall to that spot based on the post-season surgery and the late rush that some other players (like Troy Williamson) are making, and that he could easily add 15 lbs of muscle to his frame and would be moved inside to compete with Howard Green at the two-gap tackle spot.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

saintwhodi --

Haslett has said Sullivan is very talented. And he\'s said it on more than one occassion. Both during the regular season and during the off-season.

I\'m sure many here can back me up on that. I don\'t need to post articles to prove it.

But, I did post an article where Haslett said that exact thing. If you don\'t want to believe Haslett, then that\'s your business.
[
And lying about the draft is something all coaches and teams do.

Do I need to provide a link for that statement too?


It\'s common-sense, saintwhodi.

Or in your case ... it\'s rare-sense ...
;)

Sorry, couldn\'t resist.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

The latest rumor I heard was the Saints sending Darren Howard and a 4th round pick to San Diego for the 28th pick of the draft. That would allow San Diego to take a WR at 12 and still get their DE with Howard. It would give the Saints much more flexibility with 3 picks in the top 40.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Hey Gum, you can provide(or not provide as normally is the case) anything you like. I am just messing with you, call it pre-draft boredom. But let\'s see if I can live up to your standard. I am gonna go on record right now as saying whoever we draft has talent, before we draft them, and I am gonna go on record right now as saying Haslett says they have talent, before he says it, therefore when he does say it, I can say I was right. That about how it works? ;)

But anyway, we got a draft coming, I am more than ready, but I am also almost sick with fear we will screw up. Not a good feeling. So basically I am just ready to get it overwith.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Since this started with the thought of us possibly moving up to get DJ, I had a question about #3 Cleveland. I think they are the biggest threat to taking DJ before the #6 if we trade with TENN. Don\'t think he\'ll be there past #6.

So back to my original question, Will Cleveland pass up on Rogers or Smith if either are at # 3? Honestly why would they, they need a QB. The whole defense wins championship scenario? If so is DJ that good that you can build a D around him? If we got him I think he would help but we\'d be adding too the D not building around.

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

I agree -- but with Tenn losing both starting cornerbacks they are going to stay put at #6 and probably draft Rolle

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Well, Cleveland\'s coach, Romeo Crennel, the guy we should have gotten, was a defensive coordinator, and a genius at it. SO more than likely he is looking for D, but also looking to trade down. If Smith is there, they may take him, but not Rogers. Btu after losing all their d-lineman, maybe Howard looks like a good fit with a pick to move up?

The Unexpected is gonna happen.
 

Good point!

I agree too. So it looks like we\'ll HAVE to package Howard and some picks to get to DJ?