Back Up QB, Special Teams and Other FA Topics (1 Viewer)

[Randy Jones]

With all the talk about other positions, my opinion is that Special Teams and the backup qb deserve quite a bit of attention in the off season. Both our punter and kicker spots should be totally up for grabs. In the last 5 post-season playoff contests, PK, kicker and punter and return specialist have all been critical to most teams and our special teams play was mediocre. With McAfee, Carney, Berger, and Lewis really getting old, replacements should be a high priority. At least Carney's, Berger's, and Lewis' positions should be highly competed and get strong looks in FA.

On another note, we need to look for another back up qb. Martin's play in the Carolina game was less than stellar.

Finally, we need some new back up safeties. The fact that they put Bellamy in the line up over Scott even though Scott had played both safety positions in Atlanta made me wonder. I do believe that some of Thomas' cover problems can be attributed to the fact that Bellamy was his cover 2 back up instead of Harper or Stoutmire. If we had had two decent safeties in the game against Chicago, that game might have been different.

 

[saintfan]

Give Jaime Martin his due. What you saw in the Carolina game was not a function of poor play by Martin, but rather poor play by the backup OL against first stringers from Carolina. Martin was hit repeatedly, had to hurry his throws, and simply was not protected. Martin is no Bouman. He is much better, and is a proven QB. If he had our first string OL, he would have been much more effective.

As for the other players you mentioned, I see your point. I believe McAfee may be gone for good, and Carney is still a highly accurate kicker, but lacks the range he once had.

Berger may already be gone for good. I'm not sure if Weatherford is an answer, but he is an adequate replacement. He is also a rookie who needs some more work. Lewis is still effective, but he is also in his 30s, and beginning to show signs of wearing down. He was a good feel good story a few years ago, but these are different times.

Thomas is also getting up in age for an NFL player, and is clearly not able to keep up with the younger players today. He was beat too many times. We need a better safety, but Thomas is still useful as a number 2 CB. Hopefully Stoutmeier and Harper will be back at their past levels. McKenzie will be 31 next year, and it is time to begin grooming a replacement for him, although McKenzie probably has two more years left in him.

 

[DownWithDisease]

...I do believe that some of Thomas' cover problems can be attributed to the fact that Bellamy was his cover 2 back up instead of Harper or Stoutmire. If we had had two decent safeties in the game against Chicago, that game might have been different.

Thomas played the RCB all season, which means Bullocks was his safety help.... it was never Harper, Bellamy, Stoutmire, or anyone else.

I do agree though that the depth at both Safety spots could use a little help, especially FS. I knew all I needed to know about Scott before we even got him from Atl. He stinks. That why they gave him to us with a draft pick for Gandy. I like Stoutmire as a back-up, and Bellamy was good too... especially in a back-up role and as a STer. The FS depth is alarming though. Especially when you consider how poorly Bullocks played.

I think we'll be OK at punter. I liked Weatherford, and we'll get Burger back this year, so those 2 can battle it out. Carney was solid, but he's too old and his leg strength is diminished. A new strong-legged kicker would be nice.

A mid-to late round CB that also doubles as a return specialist would be a great pick for us this April.

Give Jaime Martin his due. What you saw in the Carolina game was not a function of poor play by Martin, but rather poor play by the backup OL against first stringers from Carolina. Martin was hit repeatedly, had to hurry his throws, and simply was not protected. Martin is no Bouman. He is much better, and is a proven QB. If he had our first string OL, he would have been much more effective.

What he said.

 

[geauxboy]

As long as he is healthy, how 'bout McPherson as a legit backup? I saw him more at FSBOOOOO than I have in N.O., but he could be a viable backup with more playing time.

 

[Saint Droopy]

Jamie Martin is a good backup... give him our #1 Oline and he'd move the ball. Don't lay judgement on him from that game against Carolina game... you can't put your backup Oline against Peppers, Rucker, jenkins, and Kimo, and expect to get good production from your backup QB.

Special teams IS a concern. I'm not sure if Berger will be back... but this was Weatherford's rookie season, and I think he did a great job. Carney is getting up in age, and with age comes decreased distance... so unless we draft a PK, or bring in a FA with a canon-foot with accuracy... I can see Carney coming back for one more year... but he DOSE need some competition this offseason.

We definitely need a punt/kick returner. Yes Reggie can do both, but do we want to expose him like that if we don't need to? I think that may be the reason why Payton has interest in Ginn... not just as a WR.. but as a specialist. I think Beerman got us into some real good field position, and was solid in ST coverage, but he's also up in age.

I'm not totally ready to give up on Bullocks... yes he was caught out of position ALOT, but I think one more offseason in the system should do him some good. Roman Harper will probably retire as a Saint, and get the same kind of love Sammie Knight got in black and gold.. the young fella is a stud. Keep Scott and Bellamy around for depth and special teams... but I think we should replace Stoutmire.

We NEED a couple CBs, a couple LBs, a DT, a TE, and a WR in free agency... I hope we could fill those holes with a few quality guys, and lets see what happens in the draft.

 

[SaintAkira]

We will draft a QB at some point, so be ready for it from the third round on. I have no idea where the Jamie Martin love is coming from, but there's a reason he's never beaten anyone out for a starting job; he's not that good.

So, expect a QB to be drafted for Payton to groom, a la Romo. It will happen.


As far as Bullocks is concerned, I have no idea why he seems to have regressed. He is totally lost without Harper back there with him. I can't say for certain how many of Fred Thomas' burns were due to Bullocks peeking in the backfield or biting on play action, but I'm certain some of them were.

That leads us to CB. Fred Thomas cannot, I repeat; cannot be put in man coverage. On an island Fred Thomas is as likely to fall down as he is to jam the WR. This is where I don't know which way to go; we need MLB and CB. Solve one in free agency and another in the draft maybe?

 

[truck man]

We will draft a QB at some point, so be ready for it from the third round on. I have no idea where the Jamie Martin love is coming from, but there's a reason he's never beaten anyone out for a starting job; he's not that good.


As far as Bullocks is concerned, I have no idea why he seems to have regressed. He is totally lost without Harper back there with him. I can't say for certain how many of Fred Thomas' burns were due to Bullocks peeking in the backfield or biting on play action, but I'm certain some of them were.

That leads us to CB. Fred Thomas cannot, I repeat; cannot be put in man coverage. On an island Fred Thomas is as likely to fall down as he is to jam the WR. This is where I don't know which way to go; we need MLB and CB. Solve one in free agency and another in the draft maybe?

i agree that we need to draft a QB, and yes the way Jamie Martin played against Carolina is indicative to how he really plays. did you watch him play for the Rams last year, he was horrid and replaced by a Rookie from Harvard who was horrid too.

losing Roman Harper had nothing to do with Bullocks. Bullocks was often covering the crossing route and or seam becasue Simoneau, who everyone thinks is so great in coverage, was getting beat a lot of the times. and if a CB is in man coverage he has to at least stay with the WR, which FT defintely couldn't do.

we can fill the need for CB and MLB through FA. we also need depth along the DL too.