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Keys to this team's future success is rebuilding the lines

Posted on 12/22/15 at 11:55 am
Posted by LSUZombie
A Cemetery Near You
Member since Apr 2008
28905 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 11:55 am
The focus of this off-season will hopefully be an effort to shore up the DE and DT position. Consistent QB pressure will lead to improved secondary and linebacker play.

For the O Line, we need guard help badly. Improved guard play will then lead to improved receiver and running back performance.

But possibly even more important, we need to cut bait on the assistant coaches tasked with the O and D lines.

You fix the lines and you could add about 4 more wins to this team.
Posted by GMoney2600
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2005
14108 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 12:04 pm to
Bill Johnson should be a no brainer. We have a bunch of young guys on the dline and are about to get more. We need to bring in someone new to develop them. I agree...DE, DT, & OG are easily the 3 most important positions to upgrade.
Posted by Melvin
Member since Apr 2011
23535 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 12:05 pm to
Agreed 100%
Posted by mm2316
New Orleans Pelicans Fan
Member since Aug 2010
6942 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 12:14 pm to
Agreed. Wouldn't be upset at all if the draft was nothing but offensive and defense lineman.
Posted by dj30
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2006
28725 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 12:44 pm to
quote:

Wouldn't be upset at all if the draft was nothing but offensive and defense lineman.




I would, no matter what anyone says, we need a receiver. Either a big physical receiver or someone who can pick up yac on short routes.
Posted by GMoney2600
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2005
14108 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 12:54 pm to
In rounds 1-5, we need 1 DT, 1 DE, 2 OG, & 1 WR imo. Round 7 should be BPA(someone the scouts have identified and really like) at that point. I'd like to see us go DLine early. We need a legit starter at both DT & DE(Richardson & Jenkins are good depth imo, but not legit starters). Guards & a WR can be found in the mid rounds.
This post was edited on 12/22/15 at 12:57 pm
Posted by TG
Metairie
Member since Sep 2004
3059 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 1:13 pm to
Add the linebacker coach to the list. Joe has stayed here too long. Especially given the LB play during his tenure.
Posted by Zoombop
Westbank
Member since Feb 2013
987 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 1:35 pm to
There are holes all over the team, but to try to get specific positions in certain rounds is not always a good idea.

Many people might be content with not taking another linebacker in this draft. It would be wise for the Saints to leave that option on the table for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, linebacker appears to be the strongest position in this year's draft. Second, no one should be totally sold on the players the Saints have there. Kikaha and Anthony have been solid, but neither have been far above average, certainly not spectacular.

Anthony struggles mightily in coverage and it's not for lack of athleticism. He's still getting used to being the QB of the defense, but he's not shown the instincts you'd like to see from a really good MLB yet. Kikaha has trailed off towards the end of the season and has not produced the type of pass rush many of us were hoping for. He gets swallowed up by offensive linemen pretty regularly, but he has made some nice plays poking the ball out from time to time.

Ellerbe is solid, but always injured. He should stick around, but cannot be relied on heavily. Outside of him, there is not another linebacker that deserves to be on an NFL roster.

The defensive line is in even worse shape. Cam Jordan is an exceptional player, but outside of that there is nothing. Jon Jenkins and Tyeler Davison are rotation players at best. Kevin Williams is gone after this year. Edebali and Gwacham probably will max out as situational pass rushers. Bobby Richardson is just a guy, as is Tavaris Barnes.

The secondary, when healthy looks deep on paper: Breaux, Swann, Lewis, PJ Williams, Kyle Wilson, Byrd, Vaccaro, Sanford. Screw Browner. But if Byrd goes down, there is no one to play FS. There are a ton of questions surrounding the future health of Swann and Lewis. Williams is still a huge question mark.

All this to say the Saints should take the BPA on defense, especially if Payton is still around next year. The guy has made the offense stay effective with the spare parts it has, but there is an utter lack of talent on defense and no guru coordinator to make the odd pieces work well.
Posted by mm2316
New Orleans Pelicans Fan
Member since Aug 2010
6942 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

I would, no matter what anyone says, we need a receiver. Either a big physical receiver or someone who can pick up yac on short routes.

I won't argue the need for a WR, and would be happy addressing the need. My post was a bit of an over-exaggeration, but we do need 2 new starting offensive and defensive linemen each, can use depth at all positions on the line. Whether that happens through FA or the draft, both should be top priority.
Posted by The Sad Banana
The gate is narrow.
Member since Jul 2008
89498 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 2:51 pm to
The lines and QB.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
115906 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 2:55 pm to
Really, we just need talent. This team is devoid of it.

In a perfect world, our priorities would be:

Pass Rusher
Wide Receiver (big, dynamic guy)
Guard
Guard
Defensive Tackle
Defensive Back

But this team just needs talent. Get the guys with the most talent that can make the roster.
Posted by moock blackjack
Member since Apr 2008
96199 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 7:01 pm to
Project Peat needs to step up and prove his worthiness of being a high 1st round pick. He started the game at LG then was replaced by Lelito after repeatedly getting beat.
Posted by Fat Bastard
coach, investor, gambler
Member since Mar 2009
72679 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 7:42 pm to
we need a dominant front 7 on defense. whatever that takes in this draft6 to work towards that. yes we need 2 guards also and a WR. I wouldn't mind defense first 3 rounds. DT, DE, LB, OG, WR, OG, DT. we may trade back for more picks also.
Posted by Mullet Flap
Lysdexia
Member since Jun 2015
4208 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 9:16 pm to
quote:

I would, no matter what anyone says, we need a receiver. Either a big physical receiver or someone who can pick up yac on short routes.




True. But i'd go DT/DE first round. We desperately need a pass rush
Posted by Suntiger
BR or somewhere else
Member since Feb 2007
32964 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 9:22 pm to
quote:

My relatively rational dream draft as of 12/16/15 -

Round 1: Andrew Billings DT, Jaylon Smith OLB or A'Shawn Robinson DT
Round 2: Tyler Boyd WR, Austin Johnson DT or Corey Coleman WR
Round 3: Sheldon Day DT, Rashad Higgins WR or Sebastian Tretola OG
Round 4: Jake Butt TE, Bucky Hodges TE, Lewis Neal DE or Greg Pike OG

Posted by rpg37
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since Sep 2008
47454 posts
Posted on 12/22/15 at 9:47 pm to
quote:

Either a big physical receiver or someone who can pick up yac on short routes.


We need a Z receiver. I don't know about Colton much more, he's lost a step. Cooks could be much better suited in they slot position. Since losing Devery, we haven't had the ability to stretch the defense.
Posted by BestStop
Member since Jan 2015
1269 posts
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:32 am to
I fully agree building the trenches. That's where games are won and lost. i.e.2010 SB run
This club needs to prepare for life without Drew. As long as we have to pay him that amount the team will be crippled in obtaining quality linemen and paying them what they need to come here.
What is the Saints won/loss record since the Brees contract signing? Not saying he doesn't deserve it but the team deserves more, too. Although QB is the most vital position in sports, one player doesn't make the team.
Fix the trenches - WIN games.
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