3 Saints Roster Battles To Keep An Eye On In 2015

HAU’OLI KIKAHA VS. PARYS HARALSON, “SAM” LINEBACKER


Though it’s expected that rookie sensation Hau’oli Kikaha, the 2nd Round pick (#44 overall) out of the University of Washington, will compete mostly at the strongside (or “Sam”) linebacker position, he has the capability and versatility to play on the outside edge (or “Jack”) linebacker position as well.

In fact, as an edge rusher in Washington’s defense in 2014, Kikaha led the NCAA in sacks with 19; after playing at the strongside position during the previous season in 2013, where he got more 13 sacks coming from that side of the field.

You can believe that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan loves Kikaha’s versatility to do different things; and will devise several ways to get Kikaha on the field in a variety of different looks, to create havoc for opposing offenses.

Primarily, I believe that the Saints will use Kikaha at the “Sam” position, with the benefit being that they’ll have all of their best pass-rushers (Galette, Cam Jordan, and Kikaha) all on the field at the same time.

That in turn means that veteran and current starter at “Sam” linebacker, Parys Haralson, is going to have his hands full with the rookie (whose first name of Hau’oli means “happy” in the Hawaiian native language) nipping at his heels from Day One.

Haralson is now is in his third year with the Saints after playing his first seven seasons in the League with the 49ers, who drafted him out of the University of Tennessee in 2006.

While Haralson, the 31 year old Flora, Mississippi native and former High School All-American is still capable of being an effective player at the strongside position, there is no way that I can see him staving off the challenge of the hard-charging rookie; and I fully expect Kikaha will be your new starter at “Sam” linebacker in the first week of September.

Barry’s Projected Winner: Hau’oli Kikaha

STEPHONE ANTHONY VS. DAVID HAWTHORNE, “MIKE” LINEBACKER

The middle or “Mike” linebacker as it’s often referred to, is the spot normally where the leader of your defense lines up, and more times than not, it’s not a spot usually entrusted to a rookie.

But then again, most rookies aren’t as good as the 2nd of two first round 2015 Draft Picks by the Saints, in outstanding inside linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson.

Middle linebackers are at a premium in the NFL these days, and I can count on my hand the very select few that have been “impact players” in this most recent generation of NFL stars at the position: Carolina’s Luke Kuechly, recently retired 49ers LB Patrick Willis, New England Patriots LB Jerod Mayo, and last year’s top defensive rookie: Baltimore LB C.J. Mosley.

You can go ahead and add Anthony’s name to that list.

Anthony as you know by now, has the leadership skills and the play-making ability to become a future “star” in the NFL. I’ve recently seen him compared to two other players quite often; in current Ravens LB Terrell Suggs, and a former Saint at that position: former Super Bowl champ and team defensive leader Jonathan Vilma, who retired after the 2013 season.

Anthony is a relentless sideline-to-sideline defender, who also has the natural instincts to play downhill and in the open field. He can run with tight ends in the passing game, and blow up RBs in the backfield on run defense.

In my eyes, there’s just absolutely no way this kid doesn’t take the spot.

Now — once again, I have to give this ‘disclaimer’ about the playing abilities and capability of veteran and the current “Mike” LB, David Hawthorne. In no way am I trying to ‘slight’ or attempting to be disrespectful towards him.

Hawthorne is a dependable player with good communication skills, and it’s the reason that Payton anointed him in March as the new man to run the defense in place of Curtis Lofton, who was released and signed in Free-Agency with the Raiders.

However, Hawthorne has NEVER been what you’d consider a “big play” maker, and last year will playing at the weakside or “Will” LB spot, was often criticized for being out of position or missing tackles. (Unbelievably, Hawthorne only whiffed on 16 tackles last year — though it seemed like 160).

One “wild card” in all of this is the man who at this moment is projected to be the starter at the weaskside /”Will” spot, recently acquired (in the Kenny Stills trade with Miami) LB Dannell Ellerbe.

Ellerbe is coming off an injury that kept him out for most of 2104 with the Dolphins, and though he says that he is healed and ready to go, it’s not out of the question that the Saints could move Hawthorne back to that spot, and thus leave him in the same line-up together with Anthony.

Either way, I believe that if Anthony has to compete directly with Hawthorne for the “Mike” spot, he will win it outright — hands down, no questions asked.

In fact, I’ll be surprised if it’s even close…….

Barry’s Projected Winner: Stephone Anthony

I get to break out my #64 "IS ELIGIBLE" jersey again

The whole CB depth chart battle is very interesting. I hope Breaux makes it. It would be nice if SJB lived up to his potential as well.

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I think Peat will play, but Strief will get the lion's share of snaps at RT.

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Agreed. While Peat is obviously the future, it's not easy to come in and just replace a guy who's started at tackle for years. Strief isn't a HOF by any means, but he's a good tackle who knows the offense as well as anyone on the team

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Has nola ever produced 3 first day starters from the draft?

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How many times have we had 9 draft picks?

5 times in the Payton era

Anyone else rooting like heck for Breaux?

I know this has been said already before, but... my god Peat's head is small compared to his body

NT Bunkley vs Jenkins might be a battle this year