re: What are the Saints greatest needs in the draft?

I think they should resign one of Strief or Brown on the cheap to play RT. While Brown had his struggles at times this season, he's done well in the past at RT and Armstead has shown promise at LT. If they see enough out of Armstead, I think that'd be a good starting Tackle combo for a bit and not too pricy.

WR? I think it is a bit over-exaggerated. Morgan coming back will make a difference, and Meachem likely stays on for cheap. He's still not 100% healthy. If Tanner can give us what Moore does, he may be out or trade bait. Drafting another youngster with speed wouldn'd hurt.

Center is a toss up. DLP played better last year with significantly better OL coaching from Kromer. He likely comes back on the cheap and maybe with the right hire at OL coach is revitalized. If not, go for a Center in the 3rd round.

DL is pretty darn solid, and I wouldn't sweat it too much. OLB (rushing especially) could use more depth, especially if they don't resign Haralson (I hope they do).

CB will depend on Greer and PRob coming back. I think PRob is the perfect athlete for Ryan's defense. If not, maybe trade for a guy like Claiborne if Dallas feels he's a bust to them. It will depend on who they hire at DC and their system.

Safety is the big question mark. Jenkins was better this season, but still was a weak link at times. Harper has remained atrocious in coverage, so I would think depth at the position would be a huge plus. Maybe trade Harper for a late round pick to team in need of a run stopping safety.

I think overall though, if they keep Graham, Saints should be good.

quote:

---

good take cept that no one is gonna be trading for players you might be cutting for cap considerations (Harper, Moore)

---

True, I wasn't expecting it moreso than perhaps having an idiot GM or 2 thinking this these guys weren't benefits of the respective systems each played in at their peaks.

Realistically, you cut ties with bot and use their combined $5 million in savings to help pick up Jimmy's price tag.

One thing people should remember too is that while Jimmy will cost a lot more per year from here on out, Loomis has tended to back-load the hell out of deals and minimized initial cap hits the first year or 2.

Fuller is coming off of a minor abdominal surgery. It shouldn't affect his draft stock.

As for Roby, he has 1st/2nd round talent, but terrible drive and consistency.

quote:

---

Glad to see you put ILB in there. Lofton is a thumper and smart, but he does not have the range. gets beat in coverage and often times cant get to the edge on stretch plays. he has been a hinderance this season.

---

He lucks great when he guesses right on a blitz, but he looks really slow to me. And most of the time when teams have trouble stopping the run, it's because the LB's aren't doing their job, but the d-line usually gets the blame.

I'm guessing CB is the biggest need right now.

Justin Gilbert is my early favorite.

also would like to see if the Saints do something at ILB for depth.

if the right guy was there like CJ Moseley... it would be hard to pass up. I mean this guy is a 3 down backer who could help out in coverage.

I don't think Hawthorne or Lofton have been bad but they haven't been good either. At least not consistently good.

the D-line has been in beast mode all year but I think we could always use another LB.

not a prediction, just an extrapolation. I certainly think he can outdo Devery's production tho. DH had a 51 catch year. 32 to 51 is a completely reasonable expectation. Couple that with Colston & Morgan and there's a group of viable deep threat WRs- not to mention Graham & Sproles on the field.

quote:

---

You don't pick a guy in the first round because you need depth there.

---

what about PRob in 2010???

Who will be available in FA at the CB position? We seem to do much better in FA at that position than in the draft.

Contribute immediately is the goal. Player performance determines that over team need however. Perhaps not studly but SB veterans, the Saints already had $10mil of payroll designated to safety when drafting Vaccaro. He played his way in. Drafting Deuce two years after Ricky Williams is prolly the greatest value over need pick in Saints history. Peeps forget he only had 16 carries his first year.

Greer isn't a hard hit if they have to let him go also. Will cost $2.7mil of cap to cut but save a net $3.2mil