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Started By
Message
Spinoff: Saints talent/depth analysis
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:31 pm
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:31 pm
This is taken from the Score Board thread. It deserves its own topic. I think the Saints have several areas of strength, and several areas of weakness. IMO they do have several areas that need improvement. This is only my opinion, so feel free to disagree and give your own suggestions. I am bored at work so this is pretty long.
***Warning, Long*** Here is my take on our talent/depth ***Warning, Long***
TLDR version: OL needs serious work, WR needs work, DB needs work, KR/PR need serious improvement. Other positions could use some depth, but are lower on the totem pole.
Offense:
QB: Brees(nuff said)
RB: None are great, but they would look better with better OL play.
TE: Plenty of depth and talent.
WR: Colston continues to be solid. Everyone else is replaceable, and we could use some upgrades to talent/depth. Not as bad as people make them seem.
C: I don't like DLP, but he is adequate.
G: IMO we are fine at guard. Evans has been off but has all the talent in the world. We knew Grubbs would be a downgrade to Nicks, but now Nicks is constantly hurt so it is a wash.
T: Ugh. Gross. Serious issues here. I think Strief would be serviceable if Evans were healthy but the LT problems are glaring.
Summary: We can stand to upgrade WR and RB but it may not be necessary if we are healthy and have guys like Morgan available. I think Colston has a few years left and stills has a bright future. I haven't given up on Pierre, Sproles, Ingram or Robinson. We absolutely need to figure out the OT problems. We can win with Strief but Brown and Armstead need to improve or become backups. I am hoping Armstead can improve and be the LT of the future but we need to draft and/or sign someone as well. If we changed Centers I for one would be ok with it. DLP is serviceable but not great.
Defense:
DL: We could use another pass rusher but I think we are fine as is. DTs have been good, DEs have been very good.
OLB: We could stand to upgrade the OLBs though we haven't seen everyone play yet due to preseason/off-season injuries so it necessarily a dire situation.
ILB: I am content with our ILBs. Maybe need 1 or 2 guys for depth, but not a must in the off-season.
CB: With Greer and Lewis I think our 1-2 punch is good - great. We need some depth. I wouldn't mind replacing the number 3/4/5 CBs.
FS/SS: I don't like Harper/Jenkins on the back end. I think KV is great. Harper can be good, but not when he has to cover people. Bush has been good depth, Quddus has not been good this year. We should probably look for a good center fielder type FS to sign and let KV play SS. That would be ideal.
Summary: I think we are on the right track at safety with KV, but Jenkins has been up and down his whole career. Harper is usually a sure tackler who is great against the run, but not a coverage guy. Bush and Quddus are ok, but I wouldn't be upset with letting either or both go. I like the Greer/Lewis combo, but think we need to address the 3/4/5 CB positions. OLB could use a look but will be hard to asses until everyone is healthy. DL is young and talented we could sign a guy or two, but I think we would be fine moving forward with the current DL and letting guys like Jordan, Jenkins, and Hicks develop.
Special Teams:
Kicker: ?
Punter: Good here
LS: Good here
PR: Needs serious improvement
KR: Joe Morgan?
Summary: Kicker is a question mark. Punter is good to go. Long snapper is fine. Coverage units could improve. We could stand to sign a few special team studs and we need to address the kick and punt return groups. Either more special team specialists, or more starers on the special team units.
***Warning, Long*** Here is my take on our talent/depth ***Warning, Long***
TLDR version: OL needs serious work, WR needs work, DB needs work, KR/PR need serious improvement. Other positions could use some depth, but are lower on the totem pole.
Offense:
QB: Brees(nuff said)
RB: None are great, but they would look better with better OL play.
TE: Plenty of depth and talent.
WR: Colston continues to be solid. Everyone else is replaceable, and we could use some upgrades to talent/depth. Not as bad as people make them seem.
C: I don't like DLP, but he is adequate.
G: IMO we are fine at guard. Evans has been off but has all the talent in the world. We knew Grubbs would be a downgrade to Nicks, but now Nicks is constantly hurt so it is a wash.
T: Ugh. Gross. Serious issues here. I think Strief would be serviceable if Evans were healthy but the LT problems are glaring.
Summary: We can stand to upgrade WR and RB but it may not be necessary if we are healthy and have guys like Morgan available. I think Colston has a few years left and stills has a bright future. I haven't given up on Pierre, Sproles, Ingram or Robinson. We absolutely need to figure out the OT problems. We can win with Strief but Brown and Armstead need to improve or become backups. I am hoping Armstead can improve and be the LT of the future but we need to draft and/or sign someone as well. If we changed Centers I for one would be ok with it. DLP is serviceable but not great.
Defense:
DL: We could use another pass rusher but I think we are fine as is. DTs have been good, DEs have been very good.
OLB: We could stand to upgrade the OLBs though we haven't seen everyone play yet due to preseason/off-season injuries so it necessarily a dire situation.
ILB: I am content with our ILBs. Maybe need 1 or 2 guys for depth, but not a must in the off-season.
CB: With Greer and Lewis I think our 1-2 punch is good - great. We need some depth. I wouldn't mind replacing the number 3/4/5 CBs.
FS/SS: I don't like Harper/Jenkins on the back end. I think KV is great. Harper can be good, but not when he has to cover people. Bush has been good depth, Quddus has not been good this year. We should probably look for a good center fielder type FS to sign and let KV play SS. That would be ideal.
Summary: I think we are on the right track at safety with KV, but Jenkins has been up and down his whole career. Harper is usually a sure tackler who is great against the run, but not a coverage guy. Bush and Quddus are ok, but I wouldn't be upset with letting either or both go. I like the Greer/Lewis combo, but think we need to address the 3/4/5 CB positions. OLB could use a look but will be hard to asses until everyone is healthy. DL is young and talented we could sign a guy or two, but I think we would be fine moving forward with the current DL and letting guys like Jordan, Jenkins, and Hicks develop.
Special Teams:
Kicker: ?
Punter: Good here
LS: Good here
PR: Needs serious improvement
KR: Joe Morgan?
Summary: Kicker is a question mark. Punter is good to go. Long snapper is fine. Coverage units could improve. We could stand to sign a few special team studs and we need to address the kick and punt return groups. Either more special team specialists, or more starers on the special team units.
4
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:44 pm to csorre1
some fair enough points but I see no reference to contracts and cap analysis. THAT is just as, or maybe even more vital, than the skills and player performances when looking forward.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:47 pm to blueslover
That is the main point from the other thread that I have issues with. From a contract standpoint it would be very difficult to address most of these issues. A KR/PR would be easy to sign because they are cheap. #3/4/5 CBs would be in the same boat. A new LT, OLB, C, #2 WR, or FS would cost money that we don't have. I think we need to start with the OL and go from there.
This post was edited on 12/27/13 at 12:48 pm
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:52 pm to csorre1
Yeah, let's get to that armchair GM-ing after Lombardi Gras II
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:55 pm to blueslover
quote:
Lombardi Gras II
Posted on 12/27/13 at 12:56 pm to csorre1
The only thing missing is a comment about drafting Drew's replacement
Posted on 12/27/13 at 1:00 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
The only thing missing is a comment about drafting Drew's replacement
Drew is 34. Don't be ridiculous. I tried to be rational and open minded. I didn't say we had to replace anyone except LT. I feel that I did not make any off-the-wall statements regarding the roster.
This post was edited on 12/27/13 at 1:01 pm
Posted on 12/27/13 at 1:05 pm to csorre1
quote:
QB: Brees(nuff said)
He's at the bottom of the great QB's in the league. His stuggles on the road have been frustrating and he doesn't even look like the same QB when he isn't at home. He's holding on to the ball too long at times, and taking sacks when he should throw the ball away.
quote:
RB: None are great, but they would look better with better OL play
Would love to see Ingram get more carries. He is running hard. I'm done with Sproles. He's too small and not as fast as when he came aboard. Need a younger player here.
quote:
WR: Colston continues to be solid. Everyone else is replaceable, and we could use some upgrades to talent/depth. Not as bad as people make them seem.
Would keep Colston and Stills, and that's it. They need some major talent upgrades here.
quote:
C: I don't like DLP, but he is adequate
DLP is awful and I pray he is gone.
quote:
G: IMO we are fine at guard. Evans has been off but has all the talent in the world. We knew Grubbs would be a downgrade to Nicks, but now Nicks is constantly hurt so it is a wash
Agree
quote:
T: Ugh. Gross. Serious issues here. I think Strief would be serviceable if Evans were healthy but the LT problems are glaring.
This postition is so bad it is inexcusable. Loomis and Payton did a poor job settling for players they hoped would pan out, and it's costing us the health of our franchise QB
quote:
Defense
Pretty content here. Just need some more CB depth, another big body upfront, and depth at DE and linebacker. Another safety as well when Jenkins and Harper finally leave this team.
quote:
PR: Needs serious improvement
KR: Joe Morgan?
We need a decent return man so badly. Sproles isn't good at it - lacks the size to break tackles. Moore is too slow. Maybe draft a speedy wr/rb this year who can take punts and kicks to the house on occasion.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 1:42 pm to csorre1
play calling and periodic "drew brees head up his arse"
Posted on 12/27/13 at 1:54 pm to blueslover
Nicks wouldnt be hurt all of the time if he hadnt went to Tampa and gotten mrsa haha
Posted on 12/27/13 at 1:59 pm to LSUZombie
quote:
He's at the bottom of the great QB's in the league
I'm sorry, but
what a back-handed compliment?!?
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:01 pm to tigersint
quote:
Nicks wouldnt be hurt all of the time if he hadnt went to Tampa and gotten mrsa haha
I feel bad for Nicks. By all accounts he is a good guy. He knew the Saints weren't going to give him Evans money, and he decided to go get paid. Now his career is in jeopardy of ending early due to bad luck and poor health.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:07 pm to csorre1
It's the LeCharles Bentley curse of All Pro OLmen leaving NOLA
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:24 pm to LSUZombie
I think we need a better ILB, and I hate to say that.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:37 pm to jptiger2009
quote:
what a back-handed compliment?!?
I think it's true. There's always been 4 "great" QBs in the league - Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Brees
Usually it was Manning on top and then Rodgers before Manning was hurt. But if I had to rank them:
1. Rodgers
2. Manning
3. Brady
4. Brees
After that you get a long list of solid QB's. Just my honest opinion.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:44 pm to LSUZombie
Fukk power rankings or who's better/best.
I'll take Montana and the rings over Marino and the stats. No reason why Brees can't finish with more Lombardis than Peyton or Rodgers.
I'll take Montana and the rings over Marino and the stats. No reason why Brees can't finish with more Lombardis than Peyton or Rodgers.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 2:46 pm to blueslover
quote:
No reason why Brees can't finish with more Lombardis than Peyton or Rodgers.
We'll find out soon how much Brees values winning when it comes time to restructure that deal he got.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 6:46 pm to csorre1
quote:
It deserves its own topic.
thanks
Posted on 12/27/13 at 6:47 pm to Hoodoo Man
quote:
I think we need a better ILB, and I hate to say that.
I agree. Lofton looks slow to me. Hawthorne looks better. I'm sure someone will say "but he's leading the team in tackles", as if that's some kind of proof that he's good.
Posted on 12/27/13 at 6:52 pm to LSUZombie
quote:
This postition is so bad it is inexcusable. Loomis and Payton did a poor job settling for players they hoped would pan out, and it's costing us the health of our franchise QB
Both of you focus on the Offensive Tackle positions, particularly LT, as severe problem areas. I agree. This seems to be the Saints most severe problem, because it endangers the QB.
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