Complete Saints Offseason Forecast/Predictions... (1 Viewer)

[DownWithDisease]

Saints re-sign:

C Jeff Faine – I’m not a big fan of Jeff Faine’s, but I think the Saints are… I think he’s a leader on the O-line, and continuity is good.

C/OG Jonathon Goodwin – Goodwin played well in place of a hurt Jeff Faine last season, and his versatility in being able to play both OG and C is valuable. He could step into the starting line-up in place of Jamar Nesbit at LG as well as back-up at C.

WR David Patten – Patten did well in his 1st season with the Saints, and was a solid veteran presence. He has good hands, knows the system, has the trust of the coaching staff, good speed, and a low price tag.

TE Billy Miller – Miller has shown himself to be an effective TE for the Saints, and QB Drew Brees looks for him when he’s out in routes. Eric Johnson was outplayed by Miller, so Miller gets the new deal.

WR Marques Colston (extension) – The Saints really need to take care of both Colston and OG Jahri Evans, but I think it will be Colston first. Evans will get worked out, but it might take a bit longer.

Free-Agent Signings:

WR Drew Carter (Carolina Panthers) - Carter has very good deep speed and great leaping ability to go along with solid hands. He still has some upside, and could fill the role vacated by the departure of the extremely inconsistent Devery Henderson. Carter is a taller target as well, which works well with QB Drew Brees.

DT Ethan Kelley (Cleveland Browns) – At 6’2, 338 and still very young, Kelley would be a nice addition for the Saints. He could play along side Hollis Thomas for a year or two before taking over for the big man.

LB Victor Hobson (New York Jets) – We are all hoping for Vilma from the Jets, but Hobson is the guy we end up with. He can play inside or outside and is still fairly young.

CB Michael Lehan (Miami Dolphins) – The 5th year veteran out of the U. of Minnesota started 14 games for the Dolphins last season, and has pretty good size and speed for the position. Fred Thomas is finished and with Mike McKenzie’s ’08 season status uncertain, the Saints will need someone that can play right now. Lehan is the type of value FA the Saints typically go after.


2008 Draft:

*Top 10 Mock, plus the rest of the Saints draft*

1. Miami - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

3. Oakland - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

4. Kansas City - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

5. Atlanta - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio St.

7. New England (from San Francisco) - Mike Jenkins, CB, USF

8. Baltimore - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

9. Cincinnati - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

10. New Orleans - Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami – Phillips will be a top 10 pick after the combine and his workouts. The Saints have bigger needs, but Phillips is the pick at 10. He’s got a chance to be the type of playmaker the Saints defense has been missing for years.

2nd round : Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee – Mayo can play inside or outside, and has loads of potential. The Saints need more athleticism at LB, and Mayo definitely brings that to the table.

3rd round : Chris Ellis, DE, Va. Tech – Ellis is a great value pick here. He brings a great motor and ton of athleticism off of the edge, and should help the Saints pass-rush.

4th round: Tyvon Branch, CB, UConn - Branch played as a DB and return specialist for the Huskies, and could help the Saints out in the return game immediately.

5th round: Jacob Hester, RB/FB, LSU - I know, I know, everyone is going to think this is just a "homer"pick, but it really would make sense at this point for the Saints. Hester can back up at HB and FB, play STs, and has great hands for Payton's pass-happy system.

6th round: Bruce Hocker, WR, Duquesne - Payton and Co. can't resist drafting this small school WR with potential busting out at the seams. Hocker could be a diamond in the rough.

7th round: Kevin Mitchell, SS, Illinois - Mitchell is known for being a fierce hitter. He could help out right away as a STer... provided he makes the team of course.

2008-2009 Starting Line-ups:

Offense:

OLT - Jamaal Brown
OLG - "Pork Chop" Womack
OC - Jeff Faine
ORG - Jahri Evans
ORT - Jonathon Stinchcomb

QB - Drew Brees
RB - Deuce, Reggie, PT
FB - Karney, Hester
WR - Marques Colston, Drew Carter
WR - Robert Meachem, David Patten
TE - Billy Miller

Defense:
DE - Will Smith
DT - Hollis Thomas
DT - Ethan Kelley
DE - Charles Grant

SLB - Scott Fujita
MLB - Victor Hobson
WLB - Jerod Mayo

CB - Mike McKenzie, Michael Lehan, Jason Craft
CB - Jason David, Usama Young, Tyvon Branch

FS - Kenny Phillips, Kevin Kaesviharn/Josh Bullocks
SS - Roman Harper, Kevin Kaesviharn

KR/PR - Tyvon Branch

 

[jaxmc1023]

So when they finally come out and admit that McKenzie wont even be close to being ready for the start of the 08 season, we'll have David and Lehan as our starting corners?

This offseason looks the most realistic of all the "predictions" I've seen, but I hope for our sake that we go out and get some impact players on defense.

If we have an offseason like this one, we might not be able to sell out the dome like we have the last two years.

 

[workhorse]

Great work on a very thorough and realistic off season. I like almost all of it. I'd really like to see us get Faneca in free agency rather than Womack. I think his leadership would do a world of good. I agree with you on Faine. I'm not a big fan, but the Saints are.

On the FA signings, I'll take your word on them. Definitely not the splash most people we are looking for, but would get the job done. I'd like to see two CBs signed, though.

I love the draft, but I wish we could get Ellis, but he will be gone, possibly as high as 5. I'm not sold on Phillips yet, but I am definitely sold on getting a new FS. As for Hester, no homer pick here...that guy is a winner and will be a special all around player. I'd love to get him.

 

[DownWithDisease]

So when they finally come out and admit that McKenzie wont even be close to being ready for the start of the 08 season, we'll have David and Lehan as our starting corners?

This offseason looks the most realistic of all the "predictions" I've seen, but I hope for our sake that we go out and get some impact players on defense.

If we have an offseason like this one, we might not be able to sell out the dome like we have the last two years.

Maybe Usama Young will really show out at TC and win a starting job at CB? We'd still have our main guys that are already here to sell tickets... I just don't see the Saints blowing a really big wad of cash on one FA.

 

[zorro37]

That would be very satisfactory for me, but also very realistic. Good Job.
Only problem I have is the CB spot. We have had David in there getting burned all year, and McKenzie with a big injury question mark.
A 4th round pick, and an average starter from a 1-15 team won't cut it.
Leman will be a solid backup wherever he ends up, and I know we tend to pursue those type of FAs looking for a good fit for us, but he is not the answer for us at CB. If all we could scrape from free agency was Leman I would consider either trading down in the first and selecting a CB or reaching for Aquib Talib should Mike Jenkins be off the board.

 

[DownWithDisease]

That would be very satisfactory for me, but also very realistic. Good Job.
Only problem I have is the CB spot. We have had David in there getting burned all year, and McKenzie with a big injury question mark.
A 4th round pick, and an average starter from a 1-15 team won't cut it.
Leman will be a solid backup wherever he ends up, and I know we tend to pursue those type of FAs looking for a good fit for us, but he is not the answer for us at CB. If all we could scrape from free agency was Leman I would consider either trading down in the first and selecting a CB or reaching for Aquib Talib should Mike Jenkins be off the board.

For as terrible as David did last year, he did start to get better late in the season... and I just can't see him going anywhere next season. I mean the guy got toasted time and time again, and still started every game he was healthy for.

MM probably won't be ready when the season starts, but he should be back at some point... Usama Young is growing and learning. Craft is still serviceable as a #4 type CB. I see CB as a need also, but I tried to keep it real. Maybe they'll sign another guy similar to Lehan, but in the same bargain tier.

 

[thundergod1966]

For as terrible as David did last year, he did start to get better late in the season... and I just can't see him going anywhere next season. I mean the guy got toasted time and time again, and still started every game he was healthy for.

MM probably won't be ready when the season starts, but he should be back at some point... Usama Young is growing and learning. Craft is still serviceable as a #4 type CB. I see CB as a need also, but I tried to keep it real. Maybe they'll sign another guy similar to Lehan, but in the same bargain tier.

Would it really surprise many here if Jason David blows up next season? I mean this guy took his lumps hard in coming in here and learning to play in a new system. I personally don't feel David is as bad as he is made out to be. I think he will come on next seaon, or at least I really hope so.

 

[DownWithDisease]

Would it really surprise many here if Jason David blows up next season? I mean this guy took his lumps hard in coming in here and learning to play in a new system. I personally don't feel David is as bad as he is made out to be. I think he will come on next seaon, or at least I really hope so.

There's no denying that David struggled last season... especially early on.

However, I'm really to realize (or think) that Bullocks was really terrible last season. We need to replace Bullocks more than David IMHO.

 

[DownWithDisease]

That would be very satisfactory for me, but also very realistic. Good Job.
Only problem I have is the CB spot. We have had David in there getting burned all year, and McKenzie with a big injury question mark..

Thanks BTW...

Maybe the Saints could sign a guy like William James to a short-term, reasonable FA contract in addition to getting Lehan. Payton may be familiar with him from his Giants days when he went by William Peterson.

 

[Gideon]

As everyone is, of course I'm concerned about the secondary getting so badly burnt so often...but the truth is, the D-line hung them out to dry in a big way...

If David was getting burnt like this when the QB was being pressured, I'd be screaming and shouting and whatnot, but we got little to no pressure on opposing QB's...as such, while I'd love an overhaul of the secondary, I think shoring up the front 7 is more important

In terms of the offseason described, it's very realistic, not bad at all, but also decidedly unambitious...I do hope we make a bit more of a splash, both in the draft and in FA...I do see what you're saying about the Saints preferring to pick up "bargain" FA's at need positions...but I think SP is thinking a bit bigger this year, just gauging it on some of his comments.

Also, I love the E Orgeron pickup...hopefully that'll get our D-line playing better, which ties in with the above

 

[DownWithDisease]

As everyone is, of course I'm concerned about the secondary getting so badly burnt so often...but the truth is, the D-line hung them out to dry in a big way...
...we got little to no pressure on opposing QB's...as such, while I'd love an overhaul of the secondary, I think shoring up the front 7 is more important

That's what my thinking was with the Chris Ellis pick in the 3rd round... Hopefully, we can generate some push up the middle as well.

 

[fr3sh]

There's no denying that David struggled last season... especially early on.

However, I'm really to realize (or think) that Bullocks was really terrible last season. We need to replace Bullocks more than David IMHO.

I agree. Bullocks is completely awful, terrible and horrendous at times. We MUST sign/draft a new starting FS. (Gibril Wilson in FA and/or Kenny Phillips in the draft)

 

[Treybad]

Most of you are caught in a optical allusion when it comes too the needs on the Saints Defense..... The one thing that makes every defense better, is LINEBACKERS! till we get a good LB core we aint gonna do squat..... Look at Denver..... Bailey and Bly.....and still blew on defense..... Look at Baltimore with a healthy young Lewis the defense was the best.....

Now everyone BLINK BLINK and look at the defense again.....

 

[supersaint15]

your so right our des have to play the run first b/c our lbs suck and there fore qs have all day to pass

 

[lilvipa221]

i found our new dt.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3210519
the lions are either going to release or trade shaun rogers from detroit. we need to pick him up.