New Orleans Saints team needs

by Jon Dove on Feb 9, 2010 2:00 PM EST in Mocking the NFC South

Coming off their first Super Bowl win the Saints are going to have a busy offseason. They have a lot of players become free agents (although most are restricted). Their draft strategy could depend heavily on if any of those players move on. Let’s pretend nobody leaves, even the Super Bowl champs have needs.

1. Defensive End

- The Saints have some talent at this position but that talent is under performing. Will Smith and Charles Grant have yet to live up to their high draft pick status. Bobby McCray is a nice player but he isn’t fit to be a team’s primary pass rusher. Getting a consistent pass rush from the line will help the secondary out.

2. Defensive Tackle

- Sedrick Ellis is still young and has time to develop but he isn’t the dominate player the Saints imagined he would be. Adding some depth and bulk to this position will help out the linebacking core; especially Vilma who excels when the defensive line keeps the offensive linemen off of him.

3. Linebacker

- Shanle and Fujita are solid performers but adding depth and more athleticism would greatly benefit this defense. Gregg Williams aggressive style of defense often leaves linebackers 1 on 1 with backs and tight ends so finding someone with good coverage skills is a must.

Poll

What position should the Saints focus on this offseason?

Defensive End

81 votes

Defensive Tackle

52 votes

Linebacker

87 votes

Other

21 votes

241 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

They go BPA on defense

Unless a guy like Dwyer floats their boat, they wanted to trade back into round 1 for Chris Wells last year. I don’t know if they just rather stick with Pierre Thomas/Reggie Bush. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big back but most likely BPA on defense.

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by tj.hendricks on Feb 9, 2010 2:14 PM EST reply actions

yea i agree w/ that, that defense needs to be upgraded w/ talent

Jon Dove

by Jon Dove on Feb 9, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

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by Patssuck456 on Feb 11, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions

I think they'll get the DE thru free agency

I’m pretty sure that Ray Edwards is available. He’s a natural LDE and would be a nice fit. Gotta ditch the underachiever Chuckwagon Grant though.

by WhoDat_OH on Feb 11, 2010 11:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I mocked them a DE in Rd One and a big DT in Rd Two.

But they could take a LB if one of the better ones drop, especially at pick #64.

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 9, 2010 2:34 PM EST reply actions

How is Will Smith disappointing?

13 sacks!

by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 9, 2010 3:13 PM EST reply actions

Yes, I wondered about that too.

Apparently the New Orleans Saints have dramatically raised their standards. I guess winning a Super Bowl will do that to an organization or fan base.

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 9, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

+1 my thoughts exactly bro.

by Saintsfan4life on Feb 9, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

BIG DT!!!

They have to go up against Double Trouble and Michael Turner and Cadillac Williams isn’t half bad either.

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by chinchillas sword on Feb 9, 2010 3:30 PM EST reply actions

OLB

Navarro Bowman is who I like.

by Saintsfan4life on Feb 9, 2010 4:30 PM EST reply actions

How sick would they be with someone like Jon Dwyer?

or maybe Jahvid Best?

Lord help the rest of the NFL if CJ Spiller falls to them…..

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by FreeBradshaw on Feb 9, 2010 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Somewhere missed in here...

Is how both Sharper and Harper are FA’s this off-season.

Sharper is a true FA while Harper is a restricted FA (Unrestricted if new CBA is reached).

I think they’ve gotta get the secondary straightened away.

by Owner on Feb 9, 2010 8:25 PM EST reply actions

I think they have a good shot at keeping Sharper though. From what I hear he’s really happy playing for Gregg Williams and I think he knows that he’s finally in a scheme that fits the way he plays. I think Sharper will be looking to stay if the contract is reasonable.

They can keep Harper with an RFA tag because there’s no way a CBA is being reached by March 7 or so.

So for the immediate future, the secondary is fine. Plus, they have two young studs at CB that they can build on. I say front 7 is more of a need.

by cowbell on Feb 9, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Since Sharper is a FA, any team can go after him. That leaves a huge hole there which if they can’t fill would most likely be filled by another young corner in Jenkins.

That’s IF some team doesn’t want Roman Harper enough to send them a couple picks in return (or probably just a 2nd).

There are too many IF’s. …Not to mention Sharpers age. He’s NEVER played that well in a season before.

by Owner on Feb 10, 2010 1:30 PM EST reply actions

OLB in round 1

Either Navorro Bowman or Sean Witherspoon. I think it hinges on who the better pass cover guy is. Although, they got a couple good prospects last year in Casillas and Arneoux (spelling?). Arneoux blew out his Achilles in camp and Casillas played well on special teams. The Saints like promoting within and developing talent on the practice squad i.e. Robert Meachem. Watch for Adrian Arrington to move to active roster this year and maybe trade Devery Henderson for draft picks. Could be a good year to add depth and take BPAs throughout draft or trade down compiling picks for next year.

by WhoDat_OH on Feb 11, 2010 5:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions