This Offseason...
I'd love for either Elllis or Dorsey to be selected by us, but I have a feeling some other team will do that before us. After reading more on the CB's in the upcoming draft, I just don't see one that sticks out to me as being worthy of a #10 pick. That's not to say they aren't first round talent, but maybe in the #15-23 range. And please....I have no desire for us to trade back and pick up more picks. We need quality....NOT quantity!!!
If my guestimation is correct, we'd better go for a DT in free agency, MLB and a veteran corner....love your pick on Florence, as I think he would be great. Also, I don't think we have the FO that is going to throw the money needed to land Samuels and Trufant isn't going to be let our Seattle. Picking a CB at #10 scares me more and more each day. If MM were set to be 100% on opening day, I'd feel better but we just don't know and from what I hearing it may be mid-season or next before he's ready to go. Having J. David, F. Thomas, J. Craft and Young along with a rookie CB...YIKES!!! The only problem we'd give the QB with that setup is which CB to pick on all day!
I agree that the power and pressure needs to come from the front seven. Stop giving the QB all 5-7 to setup the big plan. Reduce that time down to 2-3 seconds and I think our CB's will be able to do a better (I didn't say awesome...I say "better") job of stopping the big play. We need a DT and MLB that is going to scare the crap out of the QB and make him uneasy prior to the snap. Heck, teams weren't even worreid about our fearsome DE's because there was no pressure. You double up on the DE's because no pressure was coming from the middle. That has to stop!!! I don't think you're gonna get that from a rookie DT or MLB either, but one or the other coupled with a veteran will do wonders. I do agree that getting a veteran Safety who can help out our CBs in coverage is going to be deeply needed. We need to put fear into the WRs that they MIGHT catch the ball, but they are going to regret it!!! That comes from the safety position, not the CB.
I'll add what I think we should go after in the rounds...but am no mock expert by any means:
1. BPA on defense...no matter what position it is. Even if it is DE, I say we take it. Smith is coming up on a contract year and both didn't live up to expectations. Let's keep the leverage during contract negotiations and we can always slide Grant over with the weight he's putting on..."feed my family"......did he steal their food too? In short, Grant back up your talk with action buddy....you're getting 60 million reasons to prove yourself!
2. CB or LB. This draft is pretty deep at that position and we are picking high enough in round two that someone is bound to slide out of the first round and into our laps....watch and see. No matter if one is selected in round one, we go with either of these positions in the second round.
3. O Lineman. I know everyone is going to freak out here, but unless we address this in FA, we need more help here. Allenmen and Bushrod need to step up and Faine is good, but Goodwin is outplaying him.
4. Whatever we didn't select in round two needs to be selected here...DB or LB. We need too much help here and the draft is deep and the salaries are cheap compared to the veterans. Also, these can contribute immediately on ST at a minimum!!!
5. TE. E. Johnson just didn't impress me that much this past year and B. Miller held his own but is only one person. With what we have a WR and Bush, we need a good blocking TE as opposed to one that can catch. Both qualities are ideal, but we all know that is a rare quality to find...blocking is the way to go and they can always slide over to the FB position and play ST if needed....God Forbid anything every happens to Karney. NOTE...if Martin is given his walking papers, don't be suprised if they select a QB here. We all know how Payton likes to have pet projects and Palko is still not ready to step up to the #2 spot.
6. Either a safety or LB here. We can hope for a diamond in the rough here, but the way our LBs played last year, a 6th rounder might find his way onto the roster. A CB/Saftery here could make giving Craft or Thomas their walking papers.
7. WR or RB here. Only reason I say RB here is because we don't know the status of Duece, Stecker may or may not be re-signed or decide to test the waters, P. Thomas....was he on a three or one year deal? Our RB core could be great at a solid four or depleted down to 2. I"m hoping for the former, but preparing for the latter. WR, because we are thin and don't know who could be re-signed or acquired through FA.
OH, the joys of the offseason....Geaux Saints!:9: