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Almost a week away from the raiders game, I will like to present some opinions about our performance from January to September. Reality of the matter is our record at the end of 2016 will be the sole indicator of improvement or lack of it. We may see a different product, but the win-loose record is what really matters.
Coaching:
It seems that it was eons ago when we were not sure about Sean staying in New Orleans. I hated to pay attention to what Rapoport would say about a final decision. Now we have a solid staff for years to come. On offence we brought personality in Coach Carpenter, and of defence, besides strategy, we finally have a coach that Payton fully trust in Denis Allen. From now on, the defence is his and he should be able to make changes as he sees fit, even at position coaches. This isn't an experiment, it is a building block and should be patient with it on good and bad, for years to come. Finally, on special teams we continue with a roller coaster of kickers. Who's fault is that? We don't know but we do who is responsible. Coach MacMahon should have final say in kicker and if we continue with lack of stability, then he should go. He also has to improve on both coverage and on the return game.
Roster (free agency and draft):
We started the year with two general problems, to improve both our lines and with 4 holes in particular: two offensive guards, a defensive tackle and a pass rusher. We didn't have much money to spend but I thought the free agent market was solid on guards and the draft rich in defensive tackles. We decided to spend a big chunk of our budget in TE Coby Fleener. A decision I didn't like. Fleener is a good athlete but hardly played to his potential, even when playing for his former college quarterback (Luck) and coordinator (Hamilton). Fleener can be an excellent contribution to. Our offence, but I think it was wise to spend the money getting a couple of guards to protect Drew and open holes for the run game.
On defence, we finally paid attention to the linebacker group. I don't recall a season as strong as we are now. We later opened a hole by releasing Lewis, but it seems we could not rely on his health.
Special Teams, we seems to have a stronger unit, but I would have been more comfortable with Barth. I hope Fobarth have a solid season. We now have also more and better options on the return game. 87 vs 23 will be a constant battle.
Draft, I have to be very clear saying that I have no problems with our draft and free agent pick ups. We have yet another strong solid rookie class, but once again, we start the year with question marks that should have been answered before the draft.
Two guards, one defensive tackle and a pass rusher were our biggest needs. We got two defensive tackles on time. We got lucky with Kruger, and not so much with the guards.
Cap administration and dead money.:
Nothing here is as important as Drew's contract. Once again, I will say that I don't have a problem making Drew the highest paid player in football, but the structure of the contract should allow Drew to be cut after year two without any significant cap hit.
Once that the Evans, Gallete and Graham's contract are out of the books, we will be in better shape on the dead money issue, but we should not loose perspective. We could have been used this dead money to pay a franchise player this season. Dead money guy and Drew are making more or less the same money. And we continue abusing this. We have dead money for Browner, Keenan and maybe we will have another soon. This is what Lauscha should point to Mickey as unacceptable.
I wish the saints decide to build a budget by unit and respect it. One for quarterbacks, one for runners, receivers etc. That is the best way to keep a balance team, know who to re-sign, let go, get on free agency,etc. I think this is the ultimate cure for dead money.
Other miscellaneous points:
I think Ryan Griffin was better on year 2 then Garrett Grayson. I understand he needs time to develop but if he can't beat McCown or whoever for the #2 job next year, that it is a wasted pick.
I understand the logic of bringing Laurinitis but his signing is also my biggest concern on the starting line up. Anthony (as Peat) have to find a position and commit to it. James may provide order to the defence, but I think Anthony and Robertson are more athletic.
I think by the end of the season, either Harris or Bell will start over Byrd. I see him arriving a step late every time. Best seat in the house.
I think if (we wish) Peat finds a home at left guard, we should keep him there and look for a replacement for Strief next year.
Right now, we can only hope that any of Lelito, Kelemete or Turner find their game and rhythm, and that the coaches will notice on time.
We are asking too much of PJ Williams and hope he is up to the challenge.
The Josh Norman adventure told me a lot about the current staff. I understand the cost of opportunity but we were close to affect the cap with two biggest salaries (Brees and Norman) even when we had glaring needs. This rush decisions of inflating the cap with a miracle cure have brought more bad then good in performance, cap and dead money in the future. Again, have a plan, a budget and stick to it. Learn to be patient.
I am not grading the offseason with a mark since the only one that counts is the record. I think some steps were taking in the positive, specially at coaching and the draft, but the holes at guard, the attention to pass rusher until last week and the use of dead money once again leave me a sour taste.
I think Lauscha has to address this matters to Loomis and Payton, and see what we can do to perform more orderly next season.
I see a lot of progress, but I guess Rome was not built in one day, or one off season.
Coaching:
It seems that it was eons ago when we were not sure about Sean staying in New Orleans. I hated to pay attention to what Rapoport would say about a final decision. Now we have a solid staff for years to come. On offence we brought personality in Coach Carpenter, and of defence, besides strategy, we finally have a coach that Payton fully trust in Denis Allen. From now on, the defence is his and he should be able to make changes as he sees fit, even at position coaches. This isn't an experiment, it is a building block and should be patient with it on good and bad, for years to come. Finally, on special teams we continue with a roller coaster of kickers. Who's fault is that? We don't know but we do who is responsible. Coach MacMahon should have final say in kicker and if we continue with lack of stability, then he should go. He also has to improve on both coverage and on the return game.
Roster (free agency and draft):
We started the year with two general problems, to improve both our lines and with 4 holes in particular: two offensive guards, a defensive tackle and a pass rusher. We didn't have much money to spend but I thought the free agent market was solid on guards and the draft rich in defensive tackles. We decided to spend a big chunk of our budget in TE Coby Fleener. A decision I didn't like. Fleener is a good athlete but hardly played to his potential, even when playing for his former college quarterback (Luck) and coordinator (Hamilton). Fleener can be an excellent contribution to. Our offence, but I think it was wise to spend the money getting a couple of guards to protect Drew and open holes for the run game.
On defence, we finally paid attention to the linebacker group. I don't recall a season as strong as we are now. We later opened a hole by releasing Lewis, but it seems we could not rely on his health.
Special Teams, we seems to have a stronger unit, but I would have been more comfortable with Barth. I hope Fobarth have a solid season. We now have also more and better options on the return game. 87 vs 23 will be a constant battle.
Draft, I have to be very clear saying that I have no problems with our draft and free agent pick ups. We have yet another strong solid rookie class, but once again, we start the year with question marks that should have been answered before the draft.
Two guards, one defensive tackle and a pass rusher were our biggest needs. We got two defensive tackles on time. We got lucky with Kruger, and not so much with the guards.
Cap administration and dead money.:
Nothing here is as important as Drew's contract. Once again, I will say that I don't have a problem making Drew the highest paid player in football, but the structure of the contract should allow Drew to be cut after year two without any significant cap hit.
Once that the Evans, Gallete and Graham's contract are out of the books, we will be in better shape on the dead money issue, but we should not loose perspective. We could have been used this dead money to pay a franchise player this season. Dead money guy and Drew are making more or less the same money. And we continue abusing this. We have dead money for Browner, Keenan and maybe we will have another soon. This is what Lauscha should point to Mickey as unacceptable.
I wish the saints decide to build a budget by unit and respect it. One for quarterbacks, one for runners, receivers etc. That is the best way to keep a balance team, know who to re-sign, let go, get on free agency,etc. I think this is the ultimate cure for dead money.
Other miscellaneous points:
I think Ryan Griffin was better on year 2 then Garrett Grayson. I understand he needs time to develop but if he can't beat McCown or whoever for the #2 job next year, that it is a wasted pick.
I understand the logic of bringing Laurinitis but his signing is also my biggest concern on the starting line up. Anthony (as Peat) have to find a position and commit to it. James may provide order to the defence, but I think Anthony and Robertson are more athletic.
I think by the end of the season, either Harris or Bell will start over Byrd. I see him arriving a step late every time. Best seat in the house.
I think if (we wish) Peat finds a home at left guard, we should keep him there and look for a replacement for Strief next year.
Right now, we can only hope that any of Lelito, Kelemete or Turner find their game and rhythm, and that the coaches will notice on time.
We are asking too much of PJ Williams and hope he is up to the challenge.
The Josh Norman adventure told me a lot about the current staff. I understand the cost of opportunity but we were close to affect the cap with two biggest salaries (Brees and Norman) even when we had glaring needs. This rush decisions of inflating the cap with a miracle cure have brought more bad then good in performance, cap and dead money in the future. Again, have a plan, a budget and stick to it. Learn to be patient.
I am not grading the offseason with a mark since the only one that counts is the record. I think some steps were taking in the positive, specially at coaching and the draft, but the holes at guard, the attention to pass rusher until last week and the use of dead money once again leave me a sour taste.
I think Lauscha has to address this matters to Loomis and Payton, and see what we can do to perform more orderly next season.
I see a lot of progress, but I guess Rome was not built in one day, or one off season.