spkb25

Yes and his numbers were actually down..not too hott. But maybe we get someone else in there and it is different.

AsylumGuido

Too many people are fixated upon numbers. Numbers do not tell the whole story. Look at Scott Shanle. He was voted by teammates the Saints defensive MVP in 2008 with only 87 total tackles, two sacks and five passes defended. His job was to channel to the inside and he excelled at that.

It's how well you do your job that is important. Rankins job for most of the season was to occupy two blockers and he did that quite well.

ScottF

We aren't getting first round production out of Rankins, but he is doing his job

As for Armstead, no GM with access to the internet and injury reports is going to pay what we paid for him.
Also, we cannot move him and have $16 mill dead and expect to sign anyone else

dizzle88

Think of it this way;

2016 - Rankins and Fairley in the middle, Rankins has a very good end to the season with Fairley eating up double teams.

2017 - Fairley doesn't play, Rankins plays and isn't seen on the stat line much, yet David Onyemata takes a decent size jump and is getting consistent push and pressure upfront.

That to me says, Rankins is filling Fairleys spot allowing others to be successful. That being said, Rankins is not the NT that Fairley was, so Fairley could be successful despite being doubled consistently.

It's only his second season and we had a lot of D lineman go down this season, no way in hell should we get rid of him yet.

Your bonehead creator picked a fine chapter to omit from your memory bank....let me ask you, does a machine like yourself ever experience fear? - Vegeta, DBZ

spkb25

And this is my point, we should see his production move to another player. Onye had an okay season and I definitely agree there were gains. I am just not so sure those gains were enough to attribute them to Rankins play along the front. Maybe our LB's got free more due to Rankins. That's possible, but when you have someone eating doubles someone else should be getting to the QB and I didn't see that happen. So I am not even saying I am right, I leave open the possibility I am wrong. I am a fan and I am going to miss some nuances people who have played the sport to this level are able to see. We all are. That said, right now I am not sold on him, but that is with the caveat that it is always better to be wrong when it benefits the team. I am not routing against him, but you can't complain about Ellis being a bust while also celebrating less production. That's my opinion.

Your team stinks

saintsfan1976

Rankins is playing better each season. He should be even better with an experienced Onyemata and an upgrade at DE.

spkb25

His numbers are Ellis-ish

Crusader

I don't see us getting a top 10 pick in the first round for Armstead and I would never trade him for anything less.

vpheughan

Don't forget that 2nd they wasted on Kamara

SmashMouth

Not sure at his OROY juncture I would characterize a "wasted 2nd rounder".