Snakehead
Hall-of-Famer
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I've mentioned it here before that I listen to a lot of NFL Radio online through Sirius b/c I am in Seoul, Korea. I hear a lot of good information and here is just one topic that I thought I would share.
I cannot remember who it was, but it was either an Analyst, GM or Coach that was being interviewed and they said that teams now have to build through the draft. The reason is the increasing salary cap enabling teams to hang onto their players leaving less FAs available to move on to other teams. There are a couple teams that have caught on and are successful, Colts and Pats were listed as teams that have caught on. Colts b/c pretty much their entire team was built through the draft and the Pats b/c they build through the draft and then only bring in a few players here and there through Free Agency, but they do not break the bank and they let players go right before their production goes down, but still when they have value. They make good business decisions.
IMO, SP is taking on this strategy although it might not be as noticable since he's only got two years into the organization.
1. He got rid of any questionable character guys, or guys that didn't "Buy-in" to his system.
2. He had a great 2006 draft with players that will be on the team for years to come.
Last years draft didn't go as planned, but we can't write it off just yet. A caller from La called into one of the shows today and asked why we drafted Meachem. The comentators without hesitation stated that he is a wonderful talent and was the smoothest WRs in the draft. He got injured, but the Saints knew this and elected to take him anyway b/c of his upside. He then came in overweight and got injured again. They said that b/c of the depth at WR we have that there was no need to rush Meachem on the field. So Meachem should be a big part of the plans for 2008.
Alleman and Bushrod were drafted to develop into NFL lineman. There was no rush to get them on the field this year so they got a year to develop. This is building for the future.
Usama Young is another player they mentioned. They stated that he was one of the fastest playes coming out last year and that it is just a matter of time that he contributes. IMO, he will be a bright spot in out defensive backfield for many years to come starting with the 2008 season.
So if out of two years of drafts we have 10 players on the roster then that is pretty good. Yes there was some misses with Antonio Pittman and we didn't keep David Jones, but that is what the draft is about. You don't know exactly what you have until you bring them in. PT for example. He makes up for the AP pick.
Bringing in the 2nd tier FAs or older guys makes sense b/c you are not going to break the bank on them and they can mentor younger players. Zach Thomas or Dan Morgan would be good b/c we probably will draft at least 1 LBer and he will be able to learn behind these guys or if he excels and gets on the field in his RC season he can still learn from these older vets. Simmons and MS aren't on the same level that Morgan and Thomas are so drawing those comparions won't work.
JD was probably a mistake, but he isn't going anywhere so getting a pass rush might cover up some of his lacking coverage skills.
Those are some random thoughts, feel free to tear them up. I am just passing on some info I've heard and added my opinions.
I cannot remember who it was, but it was either an Analyst, GM or Coach that was being interviewed and they said that teams now have to build through the draft. The reason is the increasing salary cap enabling teams to hang onto their players leaving less FAs available to move on to other teams. There are a couple teams that have caught on and are successful, Colts and Pats were listed as teams that have caught on. Colts b/c pretty much their entire team was built through the draft and the Pats b/c they build through the draft and then only bring in a few players here and there through Free Agency, but they do not break the bank and they let players go right before their production goes down, but still when they have value. They make good business decisions.
IMO, SP is taking on this strategy although it might not be as noticable since he's only got two years into the organization.
1. He got rid of any questionable character guys, or guys that didn't "Buy-in" to his system.
2. He had a great 2006 draft with players that will be on the team for years to come.
Last years draft didn't go as planned, but we can't write it off just yet. A caller from La called into one of the shows today and asked why we drafted Meachem. The comentators without hesitation stated that he is a wonderful talent and was the smoothest WRs in the draft. He got injured, but the Saints knew this and elected to take him anyway b/c of his upside. He then came in overweight and got injured again. They said that b/c of the depth at WR we have that there was no need to rush Meachem on the field. So Meachem should be a big part of the plans for 2008.
Alleman and Bushrod were drafted to develop into NFL lineman. There was no rush to get them on the field this year so they got a year to develop. This is building for the future.
Usama Young is another player they mentioned. They stated that he was one of the fastest playes coming out last year and that it is just a matter of time that he contributes. IMO, he will be a bright spot in out defensive backfield for many years to come starting with the 2008 season.
So if out of two years of drafts we have 10 players on the roster then that is pretty good. Yes there was some misses with Antonio Pittman and we didn't keep David Jones, but that is what the draft is about. You don't know exactly what you have until you bring them in. PT for example. He makes up for the AP pick.
Bringing in the 2nd tier FAs or older guys makes sense b/c you are not going to break the bank on them and they can mentor younger players. Zach Thomas or Dan Morgan would be good b/c we probably will draft at least 1 LBer and he will be able to learn behind these guys or if he excels and gets on the field in his RC season he can still learn from these older vets. Simmons and MS aren't on the same level that Morgan and Thomas are so drawing those comparions won't work.
JD was probably a mistake, but he isn't going anywhere so getting a pass rush might cover up some of his lacking coverage skills.
Those are some random thoughts, feel free to tear them up. I am just passing on some info I've heard and added my opinions.