Don't Sleep On DL FA Signings.. (1 Viewer)

[YeaSaintsWin]

In a game, DBs and CBs can defend 60-70 plays. So, late in a game, it would be nice if the DL rotation can pressure a QB and help the back-end of the defense. If you don't get pressure, teams that need a big play to beat the Saints will have a greater possibility of making a play.

First, DT Malcom Brown is an indication that the Saints are moving on from Tyeler Davison. Brown can eat up blockers and let Demario Davis and the LBs flow to the football. Brown can get pressure on the QB but, more important, opposing QBs won't be able to climb or step up in the pocket to avoid the edge rushers. Brown is an upgrade that fans should love.

Next, DE/DT Mario Edwards is an upgrade over Alex Okafor and he can help the rotation while Sheldon Rankins is on the mend. Marcus Davenport and Cam Jordan are the starting DEs and Edwards gives the rotation another big strong defender who can run. Fans should love the versatility of Edwards and, if he can help the edge rushers stay fresh, this is a big win in free agency.

We know that teams can't keep all their good players during free agency. Sometimes the numbers don't add up. And sometimes teams need to find a guy who fits under the cap and helps the rotation. The Saints just added two guys who fit the latter description.

GO Saints!!

 

[Saint Kamara]

I don't see where Edwards is an upgrade over Okafor.

Please explain.

 

[saintbilly25]

In a game, DBs and CBs can defend 60-70 plays. So, late in a game, it would be nice if the DL rotation can pressure a QB and help the back-end of the defense. If you don't get pressure, teams that need a big play to beat the Saints will have a greater possibility of making a play.

First, DT Malcom Brown is an indication that the Saints are moving on from Tyeler Davison. Brown can eat up blockers and let Demario Davis and the LBs flow to the football. Brown can get pressure on the QB but, more important, opposing QBs won't be able to climb or step up in the pocket to avoid the edge rushers. Brown is an upgrade that fans should love.

Next, DE/DT Mario Edwards is an upgrade over Alex Okafor and he can help the rotation while Sheldon Rankins is on the mend. Marcus Davenport and Cam Jordan are the starting DEs and Edwards gives the rotation another big strong defender who can run. Fans should love the versatility of Edwards and, if he can help the edge rushers stay fresh, this is a big win in free agency.

We know that teams can't keep all their good players during free agency. Sometimes the numbers don't add up. And sometimes teams need to find a guy who fits under the cap and helps the rotation. The Saints just added two guys who fit the latter description.

GO Saints!!

No way.....can’t be! The sky is falling and the Saints will be lucky to ever win another game.

 

[MV2]

I think most people on here are still thinking about pre-injury Okafor. He wasn't as explosive last year and seemed to play more cautious imo.

Edwards is young and with our staff coaching him up I think his versatility will be a huge plus for us. Physically I think he's better than Okafor.

I don't think anybody would disagree that Brown is an upgrade to Davison. Brown has started over 60 games for the Patriots in 4 years. We all know if you don't produce you don't stay in New England for 4 years. He mentioned that our defensive philosophy for tackles is what he did in College and that he's excited to play that way again. He's a really good player and should help our LB's a whole lot!

 

[joe87]

I don't see where Edwards is an upgrade over Okafor.

Please explain.

He wasn’t meant to be. He will probably back up DT and LE. They also met with Ansah so you can see they’re looking for a pass rush specialist.

 

[YeaSaintsWin]

I don't see where Edwards is an upgrade over Okafor.

Please explain.

Mario Edwards can play DE and DT.. Okafor played DE and OLB.. Edwards can add a player to the DT rotation. That could be big with Rankins recovering from an injury.. So, more help for the DL rotation.

GO Saints!!

 

[RaisingTheBar]

The upgrade over okafor hasn’t been signed yet

 

[la. champ1]

In a game, DBs and CBs can defend 60-70 plays. So, late in a game, it would be nice if the DL rotation can pressure a QB and help the back-end of the defense. If you don't get pressure, teams that need a big play to beat the Saints will have a greater possibility of making a play.

First, DT Malcom Brown is an indication that the Saints are moving on from Tyeler Davison. Brown can eat up blockers and let Demario Davis and the LBs flow to the football. Brown can get pressure on the QB but, more important, opposing QBs won't be able to climb or step up in the pocket to avoid the edge rushers. Brown is an upgrade that fans should love.

Next, DE/DT Mario Edwards is an upgrade over Alex Okafor and he can help the rotation while Sheldon Rankins is on the mend. Marcus Davenport and Cam Jordan are the starting DEs and Edwards gives the rotation another big strong defender who can run. Fans should love the versatility of Edwards and, if he can help the edge rushers stay fresh, this is a big win in free agency.

We know that teams can't keep all their good players during free agency. Sometimes the numbers don't add up. And sometimes teams need to find a guy who fits under the cap and helps the rotation. The Saints just added two guys who fit the latter description.

GO Saints!!

Don’t think we’re moving on from Davison. Onyemata will be suspended at some point, and Rankins will miss a few games at start of the season. He still likely won’t be back to his old self right away when he does get back. We signed Brown because we need him and he’s good player.

 

[PuddinheadSr]

First, DT Malcom Brown is an indication that the Saints are moving on from Tyeler Davison. Brown can eat up blockers and let Demario Davis and the LBs flow to the football. Brown can get pressure on the QB but, more important, opposing QBs won't be able to climb or step up in the pocket to avoid the edge rushers.

I agree with most of your post, but not this particular part. As I stated in another thread, Rob Ninkovich was on with Streif and Hebert the other night and expressed his opinion that Brown was actually (in his opinion) more suited to play the 3-tech DT in a 4-3 than the 2-gap NT position he filled in NE. He (who remember, played on the same unit with him for a couple of seasons) felt his footwork and hand usage were such that he'd flourish in a penetrating 1-gap system, and made a point of saying he thought he'd be a more productive player in the Saints' defensive system than he'd been in the Patriots'...and would NOT be the one dimensional run stuffer that the NE defense called for him to be.

 

[MLU]

Mario Edwards can play DE and DT.. Okafor played DE and OLB.. Edwards can add a player to the DT rotation. That could be big with Rankins recovering from an injury.. So, more help for the DL rotation.

GO Saints!!

Rankins can play DT/DE as well. Like Rankins, Edwards is not very good at DE though. If he's going to play DE in alignments like the Saints use, he will need to lose about 40 lbs to be marginally effective. That's not really possible on a week-to-week basis. Even then, his best position is at the 3-technique where Rankins plays. I can see Edwards shifting outside during the season if injuries deplete the roster, but the team is not going into the season with using him there in mind if they want to be successful. I'm pretty sure this is why they brought Ziggy Ansah in to talk.

 

[KCWhoDat]

Davenport is the upgrade over Okafor....hard to keep 2 starters at the same position. I think we will be fine at the position.

 

[YeaSaintsWin]

I agree with most of your post, but not this particular part. As I stated in another thread, Rob Ninkovich was on with Streif and Hebert the other night and expressed his opinion that Brown was actually (in his opinion) more suited to play the 3-tech DT in a 4-3 than the 2-gap NT position he filled in NE. He (who remember, played on the same unit with him for a couple of seasons) felt his footwork and hand usage were such that he'd flourish in a penetrating 1-gap system, and made a point of saying he thought he'd be a more productive player in the Saints' defensive system than he'd been in the Patriots'...and would NOT be the one dimensional run stuffer that the NE defense called for him to be.

Great point!!

Tyeler Davison is a one-trick pony and he can be inconsistent playing NT. If Brown can do the job he did at NT for the Pats and give us some reps at 3-Tech, I would consider that an upgrade.

I don't know if Davison has an offer on the table but, last season, the Saints carried two NTs on the roster. Stallworth, the second-year player in the NT rotation is cheap and he plays good ball.

GO Saints!!

 

[YeaSaintsWin]

Davenport is the upgrade over Okafor....hard to keep 2 starters at the same position. I think we will be fine at the position.

Correction!! Davenport is an upgrade over most Edge rushers in the NFL.. the guy is a beast and might have had double digit sacks in his rookie campaign if he had stayed healthy and DA would have schemed the defense around getting him free.

But I like your take. Davenport gets drafted and walks in the locker room, I'm sure Okafor calls his agent and tells him to start looking for a team looking for a veteran Edge. I called Mario Edwards the "upgrade" simply because he can play two positions on the DL. Okafor may give a defense some reps at OLB but he would not sub at DT.

GO Saints!!

 

[YeaSaintsWin]

Rankins can play DT/DE as well. Like Rankins, Edwards is not very good at DE though. If he's going to play DE in alignments like the Saints use, he will need to lose about 40 lbs to be marginally effective. That's not really possible on a week-to-week basis. Even then, his best position is at the 3-technique where Rankins plays. I can see Edwards shifting outside during the season if injuries deplete the roster, but the team is not going into the season with using him there in mind if they want to be successful. I'm pretty sure this is why they brought Ziggy Ansah in to talk.

Dude, I would take Davenport out of the lineup to let Rankins play the DE. And I'm not subbing him in for Cam Jordan either. Rankins may be a DE on some levels, but on this defense, he plays DT..

With all the DL help in the draft, the Saints can draft or pick up a UDFA who could stick. At this point and after the additions of two solid veterans, I'm not worried.

GO Saints!!

 

[YeaSaintsWin]

Don’t think we’re moving on from Davison. Onyemata will be suspended at some point, and Rankins will miss a few games at start of the season. He still likely won’t be back to his old self right away when he does get back. We signed Brown because we need him and he’s good player.

You might be right about Davison, but look at the facts...

Last season, the Saints carried 2 NTs on the roster. Brown (a former first-round pick) won a SB ring last season and got a 3-year contract from the Saints. Stallworth was an UDFA who is on the roster for dirt cheap. Davison is a UFA without a contract and I haven't heard that the Saints made him an offer.

Onyemata is dealing with the suspension issue but, when Ingram was suspended last season, Kamara was groomed to replace him. Stallworth could be that guy for Onyemata. And I expect that the Saints will draft and/or find a UDFA rookie DT in April.

You do the math..

GO Saints!!