I find it very encouraging he signed with the Saints, it shows just that, that he thinks they have a legit shot at returning to the SB.
There's all of a sudden a lot going on here in terms of holes: C, RT, WR, RB, CB, OLB.De La Puente signed a one year deal with Bears, with only $165k guaranteed?
I know he wasn't All-Pro or anything but he was reliable. He earned his place when Kreutz gave up midseason a few years ago. Looking at the available FA market brings up a lot of uncertainty. Just slim pickings really with former Saint Jonathan Goodwin looking like a candidate. How much does he have left in the tank, never mind how good he might be at 35 years old?
Center just moved to our #1 priority in the draft.
Looking at the FA market? Centers not named Alex Mack are getting 1-2 year deals for around $1mm/year. Goodwin *might* be a stopgap on those terms, especially given his familiarity with Brees.There's all of a sudden a lot going on here in terms of holes: C, RT, WR, RB, CB, OLB.De La Puente signed a one year deal with Bears, with only $165k guaranteed?
I know he wasn't All-Pro or anything but he was reliable. He earned his place when Kreutz gave up midseason a few years ago. Looking at the available FA market brings up a lot of uncertainty. Just slim pickings really with former Saint Jonathan Goodwin looking like a candidate. How much does he have left in the tank, never mind how good he might be at 35 years old?
Center just moved to our #1 priority in the draft.
I always thought Goodwin was better than DLP actually, I thought he got pushed around a bit. I would be very happy to take Goodwin back if he's really available, centers last a long time and I'm sure Goodwin has enough to hold NO over a couple more years.
I guess we'll see, but I think there are major holes at WR and RB and the others are still needs. The offense was behind losses at NE, NYJ, STL, CAR, SEA.Looking at the FA market? Centers not named Alex Mack are getting 1-2 year deals for around $1mm/year. Goodwin *might* be a stopgap on those terms, especially given his familiarity with Brees.There's all of a sudden a lot going on here in terms of holes: C, RT, WR, RB, CB, OLB.De La Puente signed a one year deal with Bears, with only $165k guaranteed?
I know he wasn't All-Pro or anything but he was reliable. He earned his place when Kreutz gave up midseason a few years ago. Looking at the available FA market brings up a lot of uncertainty. Just slim pickings really with former Saint Jonathan Goodwin looking like a candidate. How much does he have left in the tank, never mind how good he might be at 35 years old?
Center just moved to our #1 priority in the draft.
I always thought Goodwin was better than DLP actually, I thought he got pushed around a bit. I would be very happy to take Goodwin back if he's really available, centers last a long time and I'm sure Goodwin has enough to hold NO over a couple more years.
I don't get much of what you are listing as a "hole". C, yes, but we're set/stuck with Strief for at least 2 years more. A new WR is a luxury as is RB. LB is not a priority with Parys, Junior and Victor Butler. Rush OLB is dime a dozen, I think. I think we could even get Hawthorne to slide over if the right ILB fell into our lap in the draft like Borland or Smallwood. CB is a need. Robinson is coming off an ACL injury and Champ is always going to be an injury risk.
For me? The priorities list is C, a #2 CB and TE. Everything else a bit of a luxury. We have starters and will be adding players to provide depth, rotational or developmental. We don't have those locked down yet.
Actually if anyone is reading this thing one takeaway I found in that article which FF followers might be interested in was that offensive genius/guru Sean Payton comes out and says that the game has changed and it makes more sense to spend money on safeties than running backs. I though that was a hell of a comment given the source.
well, especially given the relative success NO has had in finding players UDFA or late in the draft at the RB position. The SB defense won with big plays and turnovers as much anything. we haven't had that ability in a few years. with Byrd, we should expect that. i absolutely think that the defensive backfield will be flexible enough with Bailey-Vacarro-Byrd to play with match-ups. i think vacarro, especially, has the ability to cover *and* blitz. he's in for a big year but it's contingent on the #2 CB not being a total stiff. if bailey can stay on the field then he's really going to serve as that 3rd Safety often times.Actually if anyone is reading this thing one takeaway I found in that article which FF followers might be interested in was that offensive genius/guru Sean Payton comes out and says that the game has changed and it makes more sense to spend money on safeties than running backs. I though that was a hell of a comment given the source.
Also, if you think about it, this means Sproles' money went to Byrd.
Bringing back veteran Robert Meachem makes a lot of sense for the New Orleans Saints. They were thin on veteran receivers. And Meachem is still a good fit in his specific role -- as a standout blocker and effective deep threat on play-action passes.
The Saints now have solid depth at the position, with Meachem, Nick Toon, Joe Morgan and Andy Tanner among the candidates for backup roles behind starters Marques Colston and Kenny Stills.
However, the Saints should absolutely still draft a receiver this year. And I think they will. Maybe even in Round 1 if the draft grades line up.
Draft analysts universally agree that this year’s rookie class is loaded with receiver talent. I’ve seen at least nine different receivers mentioned as possible first-round picks, including fast-rising Indiana prospect Cody Latimer, whom ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper paired with the Saints in his latest mock draft.![]()
More than a dozen intriguing receiver options will be available beyond the first round.
The Saints could use a dynamic receiving threat immediately to help them stretch the field. More important, they need to start developing a future No. 1 or No. 2 guy with Colston now in his 30s.
Boy they just love to put the Saints in CHI late in the season, don't they? It must be a running joke in the league office.
Yeah the more I think about it the harder it is to find the right candidate at RB, but I really don't think Cadet is taking on a much bigger role.I don't think a RB makes much sense beyond a late round roll of the dice. Some depth at On or C seems warranted. Sames goes for LB. I'd like another WR but there is so much tent there. It could come from any round really.
I guess the needs are obvious but great minds think alike! From Shark Pool Mock #2:Other possibilities on what might happen by or at draft day:
Draft another RB, maybe a Hill or Mason, Seastrunk or West, or more of a pass receiver like Freeman
Draft a CB or edge DE/OLB in the 1st
Draft a backup C/G or G/T - after having a string of big hits in the OL drafts they've had some whiffs of late, there are holes to fill
And don't forget about Bush. He's gotten better every year and is gonna be the 3rd safety up in the box while Byrd and Vacarro roam the back field. It's gonna be fun to watch.well, especially given the relative success NO has had in finding players UDFA or late in the draft at the RB position. The SB defense won with big plays and turnovers as much anything. we haven't had that ability in a few years. with Byrd, we should expect that. i absolutely think that the defensive backfield will be flexible enough with Bailey-Vacarro-Byrd to play with match-ups. i think vacarro, especially, has the ability to cover *and* blitz. he's in for a big year but it's contingent on the #2 CB not being a total stiff. if bailey can stay on the field then he's really going to serve as that 3rd Safety often times.Actually if anyone is reading this thing one takeaway I found in that article which FF followers might be interested in was that offensive genius/guru Sean Payton comes out and says that the game has changed and it makes more sense to spend money on safeties than running backs. I though that was a hell of a comment given the source.
Also, if you think about it, this means Sproles' money went to Byrd.
i just don't see the need to spend a draft pick on a RB. we still have Pierre, Khiry, Ingram and Cadet. Regardless of who anyone feels about Ingram, he's still talented and seemed to find his way a bit last year. Is he worth what we paid to get him? I think the jury is still out.Yeah the more I think about it the harder it is to find the right candidate at RB, but I really don't think Cadet is taking on a much bigger role.I don't think a RB makes much sense beyond a late round roll of the dice. Some depth at On or C seems warranted. Sames goes for LB. I'd like another WR but there is so much tent there. It could come from any round really.
I wonder if they could trade for someone before the draft or bring in a FA or maybe snag the right UDFA yet again. Not sure but Sproles, and Bush before him, occupied a real role in the offense... I can't imagine that's just being written out. If they don't do any of this then yes Cadet is the guy.
he says that every offseason but seems to get distracted. or Brees does.
Not curious at all. Apparently the option was $5M, and I don't think the Saints would have picked that up if he had just broke the rushing record. RBs don't get paid anymore.he says that every offseason but seems to get distracted. or Brees does.
he didn't pick up the option for Ingram, which is a curious too.
i didn't see how it would have cost them. i don't think they have the space anyway! i would like to see Ingram motivated and playing for a contract even if he isn't expected to stick around with us.Not curious at all. Apparently the option was $5M, and I don't think the Saints would have picked that up if he had just broke the rushing record. RBs don't get paid anymore.he says that every offseason but seems to get distracted. or Brees does.
he didn't pick up the option for Ingram, which is a curious too.
1 2013 1 15 Kenny Vaccaro SS NOR 2013 2013 0 0 2 6 14 14 1 1.0 Texas2 2011 1 24 Cameron Jordan DE NOR 2011 2013 0 1 4 26 48 47 21.5 California3 2011 1 28 Mark Ingram RB NOR 2011 2013 0 0 1 10 37 12 356 1462 11 24 143 0 Alabama4 2010 1 32 Patrick Robinson DB NOR 2010 2013 0 0 1 12 44 27 7 1.0 Florida St.5 2009 1 14 Malcolm Jenkins DB NOR 2009 2013 0 0 4 28 71 63 6 4.5 Ohio St.7 2007 1 27 Robert Meachem WR NOR 2008 2013 0 0 0 26 92 33 18 127 1 171 2800 27 Tennessee8 2006 1 2 Reggie Bush RB NOR 2006 2013 0 0 7 58 105 86 0 1 0 0 1 1190 5168 33 426 3236 18 USC9 2005 1 13 Jammal Brown T NOR 2005 2012 1 2 6 48 86 84 Oklahoma10 2004 1 18 Will Smith DE NOR 2004 2013 0 1 7 53 139 120 2 67.5 Ohio St.13 2002 1 25 Charles Grant DE NOR 2002 2009 0 0 7 47 118 106 1 47.0 Georgia14 2001 1 23 Deuce McAllister RB NOR 2001 2008 0 2 4 54 97 76 1 4 12 1 0 1429 6096 49 234 1720 5 Mississippi15 1999 1 5 Ricky Williams RB NOR 1999 2011 1 1 5 77 147 83 1 3 34 0 1 2431 10009 66 342 2606 8 Texas16 1998 1 7 Kyle Turley T NOR 1998 2007 1 0 6 50 109 107 1 16 0 San Diego St.17 1997 1 10 Chris Naeole G NOR 1997 2007 0 0 9 73 154 150 Colorado19 1995 1 13 Mark Fields LB NOR 1995 2004 0 2 8 48 136 113 5 34.5 Washington St.20 1994 1 13 Joe Johnson DE NOR 1994 2003 0 2 7 50 117 115 52.5 Louisville21 1993 1 8 Willie Roaf HOF T NOR 1993 2005 3 11 12 106 189 189 Louisiana Tech24 1990 1 14 Renaldo Turnbull DE NOR 1990 1997 1 1 3 38 120 60 1 45.5 West Virginia25 1989 1 19 Wayne Martin DE NOR 1989 1999 0 1 10 67 171 155 1 82.5 Arkansas28 1986 1 6 Jim Dombrowski G NOR 1986 1996 0 0 9 59 151 137 Virginia26 1988 1 24 Craig Heyward RB NOR 1988 1998 0 1 6 38 149 107 1 2 44 0 1 1031 4301 30 177 1559 4 Pittsburgh31 1981 1 1 George Rogers RB NOR 1981 1987 1 2 6 46 92 78 1692 7176 54 55 368 0 South Carolina32 1980 1 12 Stan Brock T NOR 1980 1995 0 0 16 78 234 223 Colorado34 1978 1 3 Wes Chandler WR NOR 1978 1988 1 4 9 80 150 131 1 3 43 0 0 16 84 0 559 8966 56 Florida36 1976 1 3 Chuck Muncie RB NOR 1976 1984 0 3 7 72 110 92 4 7 126 4 0 1561 6702 71 263 2323 3 California41 1971 1 2 Archie Manning QB NOR 1971 1984 0 2 11 75 151 139 35-101-3 2011 3642 23911 125 173 384 2197 18 1 -7 0 Mississippi42 1970 1 10 Ken Burrough WR NOR 1970 1981 0 2 9 66 156 113 0 3 0 0 0 17 63 1 421 7102 49 Texas Southern
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
The NFLPA has filed a grievance against #Saints on behalf of Jimmy Graham. Franchise-tag fight is on.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
No hearing date set for Graham grievance. Presumably, it'll get pursued on an expedited basis.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
This was the inevitable next step when no deal was struck between #Saints and Graham. Difference of over $5M could swing leverage in talks.
Daniel Jeremiah @MoveTheSticks
Which team could surprise us by taking a QB in RD 1? Asked a few execs, one said Saints. I would be shocked if that happened.
I think Garoppalo is in the mix, but no way him or anyone else at Round 1. They also seem to love Ryan Griffin and just brought in his old QB coach from Tulane as the new Saints QB coach to replace Lombardi.Daniel Jeremiah @MoveTheSticks
Which team could surprise us by taking a QB in RD 1? Asked a few execs, one said Saints. I would be shocked if that happened.
Just spitballin':I think Garoppalo is in the mix, but no way him or anyone else at Round 1. They also seem to love Ryan Griffin and just brought in his old QB coach from Tulane as the new Saints QB coach to replace Lombardi.
Love the pick, love it!
Yes, yes, yes and yes! Called it!I like the Cooks pick. He's playing in the slot for us. He should take a few targets away from Graham and open Brees' eyes to the whole field again. He's going to be great on end-arounds - which Payton loves - and on ST. He can be groomed to the #2 WR when Stills takes over for Colston.
And this is the right answer, a custom fit for Cooks. Not doubles because of Graham and should see the field as much as possible. Me likey.I could see people now make a case for Cooks going first overall in rookie drafts.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste was rapidly climbing the draft boards, with some speculating that he could sneak into the first round, so this should represent a good pick by the Saints!Saints selected Nebraska CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste with the No. 58 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Jean-Baptiste (6-foot-2 3/8, 218) made 19 starts for the Huskers, finishing his career with seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups. He was a second-team All-Big Ten pick as a senior. Though Jean-Baptiste has limited speed (4.61), he's plenty athletic with a 41 1/2-inch vertical and freakish 10-foot-8 broad jump. Jean-Baptiste needs to play with more physicality, but could develop into a Brandon Browner-like press corner. One concern for Jean-Baptiste's long-term upside is his age, as he's already 24. On the field, he's drawn Nnamdi Asomugha comparisons from NFL scouts. Jean-Baptiste probably won't play a ton as a rookie, but he'll get to learn from one of the all-time greats in LCB Champ Bailey.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Larry Holder believes the Saints' selection of CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste is "their latest step to build a Seattle-like secondary."
The transition began last season with the signing of CB Keenan Lewis and first-round selection of S Kenny Vaccaro. The Saints continued the transformation this offseason with FS Jarius Byrd and future HOFer Champ Bailey. 6-foot-2 Jean-Baptiste is another piece of that puzzle. "A year and a half ago, starting before last year's draft, we made an effort to really put a high value on size," said coach Sean Payton, "and we've been able to do that defensively." Jean-Baptiste won't get a ton of playing time as a rookie, but he has a chance to learn from one of the all-time greats in Bailey.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
All in all it was an awesome haul.Game on, fellas.
Saints signed Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman.
Coleman (6-foot-6, 225) tied Rutgers' school record for career touchdown receptions (20) before declaring for the draft as a redshirt junior. He averaged 19.2 yards per catch on 94 grabs. Despite vertical-receiver college stats and a massive catch radius (34-inch arms), Coleman is a buildup-speed player whose game will have to change. He needs to learn how to use his body to shield defenders, because he won't be running by NFL defensive backs. Alshon Jeffery successfully made similar changes in Chicago. Ultimately, Coleman is a project whose outlook could range anywhere from Plaxico Burress to Ramses Barden.
By the way it never ceases to amaze me how badly WWL am radio and the local papers miss every draft and mock prediction and discussion, but this seemed like one of the worst jobs ever. 870 AM is not listenableduring the draft IMO. when Bobby Hebert is speaking.
Could be a good thing with the Drew Brees era sunsetting. Not sure how long Rob Ryan will be here, though.Sometimes I get the feeling Ryan's personality is taking over this team.
If he is any where near as successful as he was last year, and he should be, he's as good as gone.Could be a good thing with the Drew Brees era sunsetting. Not sure how long Rob Ryan will be here, though.Sometimes I get the feeling Ryan's personality is taking over this team.