Ok, You are Dennis Allen
You are DA. You know this yr is it if you don't make the playoffs and probably win a game more than likely you're gone.
What are at least 5 moves you are going to make knowing you have to win this yr.
Please be real and don't say " Resign" Or " just keep doing what you're doing" or " Just keep chopping wood " Or some other lazy response.
For me it's
1, Hire Waldron for OC, Of the 3 guys mentioned as candidates he's the one that give us the best chance of winning now, Robinson and Pitcher have no play-calling experience and if I'm DA I don't need a period of time for them to figure it out and get a groove
2, If Waldron wants his own OL coach fire Doug Marrone. The OL had regressed EVERY yr since we re-hired DM. 1st guy I'm calling is Roy Istvan the Ast OL coach for the Eagles, he's been learning from the best OL coach in the league Stoutland
3, Sign a GOOD LT in FA, We probably can't afford great but we can do good. Ram has said he'll be back let's hope he's better than he was last yr. if not he's a liability @ RT
4, Sign a GOOD edge rusher in FA , just like LT we can't afford a great one but a good one is in our reach.
5, In the draft unless someone like Bowers falls to 14 draft a starting or soon to be starting O lineman and a pass rusher.
6, Make developing Penning a PRIORITY
These are all based on what we know now. Underhill said he does not expect us to hire an OC before the senior bowl so maybe another better qualified candidate becomes available.
OK , What's your plan or why you don't like mine?
Good post DSnfla to start good conversation about the Saints future beginning in 2024 (not yesteryear).
I fixed #2 in your post bc I think that is what you really meant, but I could be wrong. For good measure, replace DM regardless of who likes him even if it's D.A.
My observations regarding your suggestions.
1. Hard to argue about hiring Waldron for OC due to proven experience as an OC with D.A. on a lifeline not having time to experiment with a newbie. However, I don't know enough about any of the 3 candidates to say which would be better given the chance. What I would like to see from whomever is the new OC is newly innovative concepts. Steal several from Shanahan, McDaniel, McVay, Lafluer, and Reid. In the 2 playoff games GB had several plays in both games that schemed a receiver so wide open that the defender wasn't in the camera frame. The aforementioned coaches have plays designs that at times are unstoppable.
2. The new OC may want to use different blocking schemes than what DM likes to use. A change in Oline coach could hardly produce worse results. I think a fresh approach with new energy is what is needed for the oline to buy in and improve in 2024.
3. The Saints need to sign at least 1 starting tackle in FA and another that can compete for a starting job and offer swing capabilities. They need to draft one as well at some point. The Oline must improve in both the run and passing game in order for the Saints to improve in 2024. The Saints can't run it back with the same starting 5 that they rolled out in 2023. Ram may be done, hopefully not. The Saints need some type of production from him in 2024. His cap hit is a killer whether he plays or retires, therefore, the Saints need him to play even if it's only in situational passing downs.
4. The Saints may not have the money to be a player in FA for an Edge Rusher after focusing on the Oline. They will need production from Granderson, Turner, and Foskey. Cam said he played hurt most of the season and will recommit to a stringent offseason conditioning regimen. No European vacations this year. I don't doubt his desire to prove that he is not done and regain a bit of his youth. He's still solid against the run. If he doesn't regain his burst as an outside rusher the Saints should consider moving him inside on obvious passing downs where he would still be quicker than any other DT outside of Bresee.
5. I'd love to see the Saint draft Bowers but a day one starting Olineman would upgrade that unit immediately. If a top WR fell to the Saints at 14 I would like that as well. A solid #1 or #2 to mix in with Olave, Shaheed, and Perry would make the receiver group a top overall unit immediately. Need Olineman somewhere in the draft, period.
6. Make developing Penning a priority is priority number one. A new Oline coach may be the first step. I think he should get help outside of the building by hiring personal trainers such as out of work Oline coaches and former all pro retired Oline men. Someone seeing his issues from a different perspective. His RAS scores were top 10 in the past quarter century. His reactionary skills getting to his mark in pas pro sets is where he needs improvement along with his confidence. If LT isn't his cup of tea at the pro level then try him inside or at RT. I'm expecting the light to come on for him in year 3, but the Saints can't bank on it.
The Saints may or may not hire an OC before the Senior Bowl. If they wait, it's possible one of the current candidates gets hired elsewhere. It's also possible the Saints interview other candidates for OC other than Waldron, Robinson, or Pitcher. The Senior Bowl is a mere 2 weeks away on Feb. 3rd. The Saints like every other NFL team will be talking with other position coaches during Senior Bowl week. Currently the Saints need an OC, a WR coach, and a RB coach. They may hire and/or fire someone else between now and then. All of that will be upon us soon. Then we will know what the full 2024 staff will look like moving forward.