Armistead and Rankins
 

If we can find someone willing to take Armisteads massive contract should we trade him and install Senio as starting guard while moving Peat? Maybe draft another guard too.

Should we get whatever we can for Rankins while he still has some value or see if we can get someone next to him that might free him up like Nick did his rookie season?

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I’d keep Rankins. He’s still on a rookie contract, and I don’t think he was as big of a let down as others said this year.

As far as Armstead, he’s like Jamal Brown at the point when we traded him to the Redskins. He just can’t stay healthy. We have a tackle who can step in and take his spot so I have no fear of moving him. Maybe we can use that money to sign Jarvis Landry!

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I saw a couple of ex-players gushing over Rankins recently on NFL Network. They said in their film studies that he is constantly eating up two blockers giving Jordan and other defenders a more open lane. He is doing his job and doing it at a high level.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I would have to trust their opinion over mine, but I am not seeing it. We need real help along our dline. There were times if Cam couldn't get there it was as if there was literally no one else.

I thought Okafor going down was huge because of that.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I’d trade Armstead for any pick in the 1st or 2nd round....especially with the way we drafted last year.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Conversations of moving on from Rankins ... silly talk.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Neither is going anywhere. TA could never be released or traded with his ridiculous contract. They will probably restructure and let him stick around for two more years until they can afford to eat his contract. Rankins is doing exactly what he is supposed to do. Eating up the o-line and freeing the lbs.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

His numbers are Ellis-ish

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Maybe, but I also think it is silly talk to hear people discuss Rankins as the second coming of Christ when he is putting up numbers like Ellis and all we did was talk about how he was a bust.

This is only his second year, which is why if we were going to move him now might be ideal since he probably still has value. Another year of last season stats and...well we will get nothing. Then again maybe he turns it around in year 3.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Rankins is supposed to get after the QB from the DT spot or so we were sold. I remember when we drafted him it being said he was going to apply the pressure from the inside. He's not doing that. NF had 6 sakcs last year from the DT spot and a whole bunch of hurries and pressures.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

So hard to say with TA because he is such a talent but man it is like he is hurt constantly. Even when healthy he goes down mid-game for a some plays.

If we could unload him...I would. For the right price.

Hope Rankins tears it up and maybe getting him some inside help would prove the difference, but I might move the guy if we could get something worthwhile.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I think Peat is much better at LG than he would be at LT. Peat does not have quick feet, so he's better off inside where he's not generally dealing with outside pass rushers. And tackles have to move more laterally than guards do.

If they trade Armstead... I would move Ranczyk to LT, and find another RT.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Peat played a bunch of LT without armistead this season, and some last season too. We kept sliding Peat down and senio to guard.

I think Peat is fine at LT, at least from what I have seen

He does mull people at guard though

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

This was Rankins’s first full season after he only played half his rookie season. Geez we’re already talking about getting rid of him.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Smart people aren't lol

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

If Armstead leaves we still pay him $16,000,000.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

not only is he young but this was basically his rookie year after breaking his leg. Our defense is fine. They just need to stay healthy.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Keep them both. I'm sure Drew's new contract and a restructure of Terron's will allow us to do allow more than just keep those 2.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

I would move Armstead if the price was right. He just can't be counted on to play but when he does he's an absolute monster. Peat is OK as a LT but I think his natural position is playing left guard.

If we move Armstead I hope we invest the pick back into the O-line.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

so basically we need to find out what 8 games is worth

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Okay and if that is true than someone should have broke out. Point to the player along the front that recorded extra sacks based off of his production. That's why I am looking at numbers because no one else has them either

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Careful boss, you've been discussing getting rid of Drew for like three years now especially in chat when he throws an INt during the game. I am not saying you're not intelligent, but getting rid of Rankins for lack of production verse calling for Drew's head for a few years now.....lets evaluate that

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

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.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Our defense was better, absolutely and we have some really good pieces to be excited about, but we need help on the front. I don't think that can be argued with. We add a piece or two up front and look out, this d will be deadly

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Agreed. I just would love to have seen Fairley on this defense.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

The saints need an upgrade at WR, TE, LB and NT. If they can hit on two of the four, next season will be fun. Oh. And you keep Armstead and Rankins.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

It's not what WE thought he is or was supposed to be that's important. It's whether he is what the team feels he is that's important.

Check out this article. It points out his importance.

Sheldon Rankins is 'Chris Paul' of Saints defense

“It definitely pisses me off sometimes in a competitive way, just because I want to be able to make a lot of plays," Rankins told NOLA.com.

But Rankins said he “definitely” takes pride in the job he has been doing this year, which includes switching positions to defensive end when needed and taking on double-teams to help set up teammates such as Pro Bowl DE Cameron Jordan, who has 12 sacks this year.

“Oh, he knows he owes me so much. So much. And I won’t ever let him forget it,” Rankins said. “I definitely take pride in being able to set my teammates up to make plays for this defense and put us in position to be where we are now, competing for a division championship. But at the end of the day, I definitely want to make those plays as well.”

.....

And he has been a disruptive pass-rusher, even though it hasn't amounted to many sacks. Rankins is tied for second on the team, with nine quarterback hits. Rankins has been credited with between 32-40 pressures this season, according to various analysts.

.....

Teammates and coaches have also praised Rankins for being a cerebral leader who gets guys lined up and makes adjustments before the snap. Add all of that together, and he has been a successful first-round pick so far, adding to the spectacular run the Saints have had in the draft for two years with guys such as Rankins, Michael Thomas and Vonn Bell last year and Marshon Lattimore, Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk and Marcus Williams this year, among others.

“He’s having a great year for us,” Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said of Rankins. “He’s been very disruptive inside. You don’t always receive credit when you create disruption, which allows other people to make plays.

“His versatility of being able to play inside and play outside, intelligence of knowing exactly what to expect, helping us to get things set up on the defensive line, as far as some different things that we’re trying to do up front, has been really good for us.”

Saints linebacker Manti Te’o explained that Rankins “plays horizontal well” -- not just vertical -- which opens some gaps for the guys behind him.

“And he can hold double-teams,” Te’o said. “He has a strong anchor where he can hold double-teams and hold 'em at that point and not get blown back.”

Saints coach Sean Payton said Rankins is a good example of a team-first guy.

Re: Armistead and Rankins
 

so he knows his role

“Oh, he knows he owes me so much. So much. And I won’t ever let him forget it,” Rankins said. “I definitely take pride in being able to set my teammates up to make plays for this defense and put us in position to be where we are now, competing for a division championship. But at the end of the day, I definitely want to make those plays as well.”