Are the Saints "good enough in the trenches"? (1 Viewer)

[bergeaux]

We're not nearly good enough. Our offensive line is decent in pass protection but that is helped by Drew Brees quick release and decision making. When the Titans used some stunts the offensive line was owned. They are not road graders who can open huge holes. We're also not very effective in 3rd/4th and short situations. End arounds have tended to work better (but is high risk)

Our defensive front is not nearly good enough. How many times did the Rams who were 0-8 convert 3rd and long in obvious pass situations??? Peyton Manning put up 42 points and the pressure wasn't forthcoming when a rookie was playing his 1st ever NFL game. McCray helps but we need to draft a defensive lineman. My preference would be trading up for Ellis/Dorsey and take a 3rd down edge rusher in about the 5th round range. There's a good history of being able to get someone there

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-03-09-sw-defensive-line-prospects_N.htm

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 247 lb (112 kg) College: San Diego State NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 5 / Pick: 149

Alex Brown Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 260 lb (118 kg) College: Florida
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 4 / Pick: 104

Robert Mathis Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 245 lb (111 kg) College: Alabama A&M
NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 5 / Pick: 138

Trent Cole Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 270 lb (122 kg) College: Cincinnati
NFL Draft: 2005 / Round: 5 / Pick: 10

Elvis Dumervil Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 260 lb (118 kg) College: Louisville
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 126

Mark Anderson Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 255 lb (116 kg) College: Alabama
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 5 / Pick: 159

There is good history in drafting under sized 3rd down pass rush specialists in the 4th and 5th rounds. Jarvis Green and Jared Allen were drafted in the 4th round and Aaron Kampman in the 5th as well.

I'm with ya on the analysis, good stuff. Unfortunately, your examples of good pass rushers in the late rounds makes it sound like it's easy to do. Those are six examples out of how many that were drafted in that same time frame? It's really hit or miss and hard to know for sure in late rounds. It's not easy.

 

[Ti Rider]

OL -

The team's incredibly thin at Guard. Alleman's a long term project who might best suited to Center. Tim Duckworth, who knows? I haven't seen enough of him to get any idea what they may have in him. But that's it. Goodwin's no longer available to backup Nesbit and Evans. The OL is much better at Tackle - Streif and Bushrod provide decent depth. But the team would be in serious trouble if one the Guards went down.

DL -

Well...the Saints have a few problems......NT at this point Hollis Thomas is just a rotational guy due to his age and the fact he wears down quickly. Clancy looked good until his turf toe injury afterwards he could no longer get the push he'd gotten before. He never seemed to be the same guy that pushed Thomas for the starting NT spot. At 3 tech the Saints have the underrated Brian Young. Young's a "motor guy" but he's no youngster either. Antwan Lake is a depth type but he's not looking like he'll ever be more. Orien Harris is another, who knows? McKinley Boykin? The Saints need some playmaking DTs who are under 30......