Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Good article. Fleener should be cut this week. Hill and Hoo-man entering the last year of contracts. It’s time to make a move at TE.

I’m fine with Graham as a stop-gap to mirror Brees’s remaining years. The draft has three very intriguing players who should be there for us in rounds 1-3.

Hurst, Andrews, Fumagalli. All are tall with speed and range.


Saints position outlook: New Orleans has some big decisions to make at tight end | Saints | theadvocate.com

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Dalton Schultz is an interesting player that reminds me of Jason Witten. Great blocker with good hands

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Cutting Fleener frees up 3, but also leaves 5 in dead money.

He is not awful, just not worth what he is getting. Wonder if his agent is smart enough to see that

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Fleener has had two years. Cut bait.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

One more year for Fleecer, then cut bait.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

His contract is rightside up for the Saints now. $8 million cap hit if he plays for the Saints in 2018 vs $4.8 million dead cap if released. Likely thius offseason he'll be requested to take a pay cut and be released if he refuses.

SFIAH

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I can't see this happening. "Fleecer" is a goner in 2018.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Just for reference here’s the financial ramifications of moving on from Fleener this year.

PRE-6/1 RELEASE
2018 Dead Cap: $4,800,000
2018 Cap Savings: $3,200,000

PRE-6/1 TRADE
2018 Dead Cap: $4,800,000
2018 Cap Savings: $3,200,000

POST-6/1 RELEASE
2018 Dead Cap: $1,600,000
2019 Dead Cap: $3,200,000
2018 Cap Savings: $6,400,000

POST-6/1 TRADE
2018 Dead Cap: $1,600,000
2019 Dead Cap: $3,200,000
2018 Cap Savings: $6,400,000

It looks like he’s an ideal candidate for a post-6/1 designation, but that doesn’t really help us in free agency this year.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

It does if we make a hand shake deal with Brees and then make it official on June 2

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I could be wrong, but I think if Brees doesn’t have a new contract by 3/14 we get hit with $18 million in dead cap.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Fleener looks like Tarzan. Plays like Jane. Swing and a miss. Move on.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Fleener is the sloppiest player I've seen at training camp. My guess is he's not a high energy guy and he looks tired and lazy when he's on the field. Eat the dead money and move on.......

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Is there any way to show how many of runs of more than a few yards were directly related to a TE block? The running game was vital for us even if we were missing a great catching TE at times.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Sign Graham and use Fleenor and alphabet as backups. I know Fleenor is way over priced as a backup but maybe he will get motivated to play better. Lots of drops last year. We should've at least gone to the NFC Championship so I wouldn't change too much. Vikings will use Teddy next year, Green Bay may be without Rodgers, Wentz will be back in Philly, Rams will return to the ground next year, Panthers stay the same, as do the Falcons and Dak doesn't seem to be the man anymore in Dallas. We will have a solid offense again and if we can get a couple of good pieces on defense our defense will be improved again. Stay the course

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I know this is out of left field but ....

What if Carolina decide to move on from Greg Olsen? IIRC they would save 6.75M by letting him go.

Any interest here?

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I'd be fine bringing Hill and Fleener back next year if they are healthy (even better if the latter can restructure), then maybe draft a good TE in the 2nd or 3rd round. Coleman can hit the road.

I don't want to see Jimmy G. back in black and gold. When he lost his bid to be treated as a WR salary wise he seemed to check out on us and lost interest in doing his job.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I don't even think there's a lot to discuss as far as Fleener is concerned. If he is on the roster next year I'll be disappointed. I never liked Fleener to begin with, certainly don't like him now.

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

I like the Jimmy Graham idea more and more. He would be a great interim measure until a draft pick can be developed. He would give the offense an additional weapon that was mostly missing last year. All of this assumes that his attitude has improved over what it was. I think the past 2 years in Seattle may have humbled him a bit.....hopefully!

Re: Saints have big decisions at TE
 

TE's normally take a while to develop. Fleener should have come around fully by now so likely outta here. Hill is about there. Think he is the starter. Not great but good enough, especially blocking. Graham not gonna happen. Get a backup in FA or roll the dice in the draft. There just are not that many good ones in FA so I think we do both.