***2011 New Orleans Saints off-season thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Breesisdaman]

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/...gnificantl.html

With the Saints defending run at an end, What do you see as the Saints biggest need? There are those that will argue DT or OLB but IMO the biggest need this offseason is a RB who can be the man. I once thought this was Reggie Bush's gig back when I made my handle but even when he got his shot to be the man he couldnt make it through an entire game healthy. Someone with a wide array of skill as a WR option but who has the strength and power to pound it out down after down. A true threat that has to be accounted for like an Arien Foster or ADP that will stop defenses from solely focusing on Drew Brees.

I think the Saints will pick up a RB free agent like Michael Bush or Deangelo Williams. They will try to renegotiate Reggie Bush's contract for much less money or he will be gone. PT is likely gone as well unless he is sensible about his contract money. Even if either is retained I think their roles diminish next year and make way for the new guy whoever that will be.

In the draft I see the Saints taking the best available player but leaning more to DT than OLB. The Saints never pick a Linebacker high in the draft and I dont see this year being an exception. Who do you see them targeting in what should be pick 23-24?

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama -If he is there do the Saints pass on him?

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State - Big Tackle that would fill in nicely beside Seddrick Ellis

Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State - Anyone remember Saint Ironhead Heyward? Hope he is as tough as Craig was.

Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami - Another solid Defensive line option

Thoughts/discussion?

 

[Steed]

I think they let Reggie walk and Pierre only comes back if he's more reasonable with his contract demands. He isn't getting S-Jax money like he was asking for last year. If Ingram is there, I think they take a stab at him since they wanted Beanie 2 years ago. They'll have to jump in front of Miami to get him though.

 

[valhallan]

I think Payton generally follows the Bill Belichick approach to RBs - you can get them anywhere, so no need to spend a high draft pick. Thomas, Hamilton, and Ivory were all undrafted guys that were productive enough to warrant looking for another gem. However, I do think it would be smart to give someone like Michael Bush or Jason Snelling a look if they become available.

I'd prefer we go defense in the first round, hopefully OLB. I'm not terribly familiar with college players, but Heyward did catch my eye in the SEC championship. If not OLB, I think it may be time to secure our next Will Smith at DE. And of course, getting some Safety depth is a must.

Of our UFAs, I'd like to keep Bushrod, PT, Lance, and Goodwin for sure. It'd be nice to get Charles Brown some playing time and rotate Bushrod or Stinch at the other spot.

 

[saintfool]

I think they let Reggie walk and Pierre only comes back if he's more reasonable with his contract demands. He isn't getting S-Jax money like he was asking for last year. If Ingram is there, I think they take a stab at him since they wanted Beanie 2 years ago. They'll have to jump in front of Miami to get him though.

i have to think pierre's value is as at an all time low. he looked good in his limited action but was injured. even worse for him is how sort of unclear why it took so long to heal. the stigma of being "injury prone" - however unjustified - just scares away most suitors. payton and loomis may want him back - even at a bargain price - but i could see them moving on because they want true workhorse.as far as ingram goes, he may be a great RB but the saints offense is hindered by RB's that can't catch. ivory, for example, showed no aptitude for it. pierre was maybe the best RB on the team as far as being able to run the ball and catch in space. if ingram and the tide offense didn't show that then he has no place in the offense.

 

[saintfool]

I think Payton generally follows the Bill Belichick approach to RBs - you can get them anywhere, so no need to spend a high draft pick. Thomas, Hamilton, and Ivory were all undrafted guys that were productive enough to warrant looking for another gem. However, I do think it would be smart to give someone like Michael Bush or Jason Snelling a look if they become available.

i don't see snelling leaving ATL. he's too valuble to them. we'd have to overpay, i think. this belichek theory that people float is misunderstood, i think. we almost got beanie wells in the draft by trading up for him. and look at the revolving door at RB has got us: inconsistency. we may need to pay for quality rather than simply making due.

I'd prefer we go defense in the first round, hopefully OLB. I'm not terribly familiar with college players, but Heyward did catch my eye in the SEC championship. If not OLB, I think it may be time to secure our next Will Smith at DE. And of course, getting some Safety depth is a must.

i'd like to see us go OLB too but i'd be happy with D-line help. we need another DT to pair with sedrick. badly. we also need another DE opposite smith, who is getting older, and got almost no help from the other DEs. we need starters there, not re-treads or projects.

Of our UFAs, I'd like to keep Bushrod, PT, Lance, and Goodwin for sure. It'd be nice to get Charles Brown some playing time and rotate Bushrod or Stinch at the other spot.

bushrod played terribly, i thought, for much of the year. he was the weak link in the o-line and team exploited that time and again down the stretch. he was overmatched last year against quality opponents and this year it was much of the same with teams go right at him. i would love to see them keep lance and pierre. lance is a brees favorite, obviously, but also pretty damn clutch. pierre deserves a chance to return. when he's on the field, he's one of the other real playmakers for the team. if we do go with some thunder-lightning combo then he could be paired with another RB easily to have a dominating running game. i have no confidence in ivory's ability to return from lisfranc. we need pierre to have some continuity at the RB position. reggie's worn out his welcome with me. goodwin should be kept on but we need to look at another C to challenge him to start. he played pretty poorly, i thought, and seemed overmatched all too often in pass protection.

 

[valhallan]

i don't see snelling leaving ATL. he's too valuble to them. we'd have to overpay, i think. this belichek theory that people float is misunderstood, i think. we almost got beanie wells in the draft by trading up for him. and look at the revolving door at RB has got us: inconsistency. we may need to pay for quality rather than simply making due.

I think we were also close to taking Best if Detroit hadn't snatched him. This should be a decent free agent class at RB though, so I just think if we're going to bring a high profile guy in we'll be more likely to do so in FA than the draft.

bushrod played terribly, i thought, for much of the year. he was the weak link in the o-line and team exploited that time and again down the stretch. he was overmatched last year against quality opponents and this year it was much of the same with teams go right at him.

I completely agree that Bushrod struggled, but I think his experience in the offense is invaluable and you need guys like that for depth. We can get him back at a bargain, so it would seem like a no brainer to retain a guy you've trained so much.

i would love to see them keep lance and pierre. lance is a brees favorite, obviously, but also pretty damn clutch. pierre deserves a chance to return. when he's on the field, he's one of the other real playmakers for the team. if we do go with some thunder-lightning combo then he could be paired with another RB easily to have a dominating running game. i have no confidence in ivory's ability to return from lisfranc. we need pierre to have some continuity at the RB position. reggie's worn out his welcome with me. goodwin should be kept on but we need to look at another C to challenge him to start. he played pretty poorly, i thought, and seemed overmatched all too often in pass protection.

Agreed about Lance - he's so clutch and versatile, I'd be OK with paying him whatever is needed. I'm thinking the same thing on Pierre - he should be our change of pace and backup to a bigger back. I see Goodwin like Bushrod - too much experience to cut, but yeah we should bring another guy in at that spot too.I didn't mention Reggie for a reason

 

[Ariakis]

Does Ivory have a chance to stick next season or did this latest injury kill his chance? I can see them moving on from Bush and possibly PT leaving Ivory and a scat back type as they focus on other needs.

 

[valhallan]

With a Lisfranc this late, I would expect Ivory to be IR'ed or PUP'ed. It's hard to envision him having much fantasy value next season.

 

[saintfool]

With a Lisfranc this late, I would expect Ivory to be IR'ed or PUP'ed. It's hard to envision him having much fantasy value next season.

PUP seems the most likely scenario. He can be brought along slowly and evaluated by midseason. I'm holding onto him in my dynasty league but I don't hold out much hope for him. He's likely going to fall down the depth chart regardless and, unless the same thing happens again with injuries, he's not going to see much playing time.

 

[wormburner]

Does Ivory have a chance to stick next season or did this latest injury kill his chance? I can see them moving on from Bush and possibly PT leaving Ivory and a scat back type as they focus on other needs.

Darren Sproles, possibly?

 

[QuizGuy66]

28 FAs? Saint fans should rooting that much harder for a quick settlement to the labor situation!

-QG

 

[jchap31]

Some of the 28 are backups that signed 1 year deals:

FS Sharper (wont be back)

RB Jones (ditto)

RB Ladell Betts (ditto)

RB Wynn (ditto)

Others are restricted FAs from last year that inked 1 year tenders:

WR Moore (must re-sign)

OT Strief (like to see him try in place on stinchcomb)

RB PT (injury prone)

Its 28 players and I read the list. Much of it is dead weight.