- Banned
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whodat4life84
Very Banned
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Free Agency/Trades
➢ Keenan Lewis – CB: Probably the best CB on our roster right now!
➢ Victor Butler – OLB: Gives depth at a position we are thin at, Butler has great talent as well, a great bargain
➢ Bryant McKinnie – OT: Provides Charles Brown some challenge for starting LT job
➢ TRADE: Chris Ivory to STL for 4th round pick (no one WANTS it, but we need picks); since STL picks in the lower half of the round, I’d say the 4th rounder is a good value for them and us as well
2013 New Orleans Saints Draft
***1st Round (#23): Desmond Trufant - CB (Washington)
➢ TRADE: Minnesota Vikings hop in front of STL to get Tavon Austin with #15 pick
➢ Saints get MIN #23 overall pick (1st rounder) + # 52 overall pick (2nd rounder)
Athletic with fluid footwork, flashing the foot agility to drive quickly on the play. Looks natural in space, staying balanced with the hips and transition skills to redirect in any direction. Physical and fights for the ball when it's in the air, showing an excellent competitive nature. Doesn't shy from contact and will get his nose dirty in run support. Very good job tracking and highpointing with a top vertical to get his hands on the ball. Good bloodlines and understands the NFL process. Good experience as a four-year starter (47 career starts), spending time both inside and outside and in both man and zone coverage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irJcBpfdxOk
***2nd Round (#52): TERRON ARMSTEAD – OT (Akansas-PB)
STRENGTHS: Remarkable athlete. Lines up at left tackle but has the athleticism to consider as a tackle-eligible pass-catcher. Good burst off the snap and accelerates quickly, making him an ideal fit in a zone-blocking offense which requires blocking on the move and releasing to the second level. Flashes great explosiveness with a powerful initial pop to the defender. Good balance. Plays on the balls of his feet and his knees bent, showing the ability to adjust to oncoming pass rushers and mirroring them throughout the play. Very intelligent. An Industrial Technology (IT) major who will graduate this summer.
WEAKNESSES: A better athlete than football player, at this time. Possesses excellent speed but too often gets to the second level only to lose sight of his target. Provides an explosive pop but needs to improve his upper body and hand strength to latch on and sustain his blocks. Does not do a good enough job of finishing blocks at the SWAC level. Struggled a bit anchoring against powerful rushers at the East-West and Senior Bowl. Possesses obvious upside but might need a year in the weight room to compete at the NFL level.
Compares to: Joe Staley, OT, San Francisco 49ers -- Savvy scouts had been watching Staley dominate the MAC for years but he didn't really begin earning national attention until a strong effort at the Senior Bowl and dazzling workout at the 2007 Combine. Should Armstead commit to the game with the intensity that Staley has, he too could wind up emerging as an upper-echelon blindside tackle in the NFL.
Terron Armstead (LT Arkansas-Pine Bluff) Senior Bowl - YouTube
OT Terron Armstead NFL Combine Highlights - YouTube
***3rd Round (#75): BACARRI RAMBO – S (UGA)
STRENGTHS: Looks the part. Has a well-developed, evenly proportioned frame well suited to the position. intuitive defender who reads the quarterback's eyes well and gets a jump on the ball in coverage. Shows good burst to the ball due to above average acceleration and straight-line speed. Times his leaps/contact with receivers nicely, showing good body control and hand-eye coordination to play physically without drawing the flag.Locates the ball and has very good ball skills. Possesses soft hands to pluck the ball away from this frame as well as the ability to track it over his shoulder. Highly aggressive tackler. Looks to lower the boom on unsuspecting receivers crossing the middle. Lowers his shoulder into ball-carriers, though he sees what he's hitting, not lowering his head and spearing the opponent and drawing the flag. Generally takes good angles to the ball and plays a key role in Georgia's defense as the last line of defense. Made Georgia's secondary calls for at least the last two seasons. Played free safety at Georgia but possesses the size and physicality to play either of the traditional safety roles in the NFL.
WEAKNESSES: Has a tendency to lead with his shoulder rather than wrapping up fully as a tackler, leading to some slip-ups. Generally gauges pursuit angles well but can get caught up in the trash when he gets too aggressive, leading to some cut-back opportunities for backs with vision, burst to exploit. Does not possess the elite recovery speed that his 16 career interceptions might indicate and is, in fact, a bit of a gambler. Has twice failed drug tests while at Georgia and was suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season due to his most recent violation.
COMPARES TO: Dashon Goldson, FS, San Francisco 49ers: Like the 49ers' standout free safety, Rambo has a tendency to make splashy plays as a pass thief and intimidating hitter but is prone to an occasional breakdown. If he can tighten up his game (and his off-field decision-making) Rambo has the talent to earn Pro Bowl consideration, just as Goldson has done for the 49ers.
UGA Best Safety Tandem: Shawn Williams & Bacarri Rambo - YouTube
***4th Round (#106): RYAN SWOPE – WR (Texas A&M)
STRENGTHS: Sturdy frame with long arms and good muscular definition. Exhibits strong initial burst off the snap. Flexible hips to sink, burst and separate across the field. Displays strong awareness and anticipation of zone windows, and exhibits suddenness to flip, sit and locate the ball. Plucks the ball routinely, then looks it in and secures it before turning upfield. Fearless over the middle, and looks to extend plays after the catch. Possesses quick, agile feet and has a knack for shaking coverage with jukes and stabs. Shows strong awareness of mismatches with linebackers and safeties, and possesses the 2nd level acceleration to beat either one. Tracks the ball well vertically, and adjusts his body nicely to throws off his frame. Effective 2nd-level cut-blocker when asked to support the run or quick WR screens. Consistently gives good effort to the whistle. Does not shy away from contact after the catch and flashes some power on contact to drag a defender.
WEAKNESSES: Struggles to break down and redirect rapidly, particularly when asked to plant and burst out of a pivot on underneath routes. Could be more physical against press, as he doesn't always utilize his solid frame to create space like he could. Isn't a real "burner", and relies more on quickness and fakes to create separation vertically. Will sit down and wait for the throw at times rather than drive back to the ball. Doesn't possess a huge "catch radius" and isn't a guy you can necessarily just throw it up to and rely on to go get it.
COMPARES TO: Brandon Stokley, WR, Denver Broncos - I look at Swope as a bigger, more athletic version of the veteran Stokely, but similar in terms of route-running efficiency, smarts, and craftiness in creating vertical separation. Although there are more athletic, explosive receivers in this year's group, few are more refined and ready to contribute than Swope, he is capable of putting up first-round numbers in the right offense. Has been designated by many as a pure "slot" target at the next level, but I see some tools that suggest he could be effective on the outside as well.
Ultimate Ryan Swope Highlights | HD - YouTube
***4th Round (#110 (from STL)): BRANDON WILLIAMS - NT (Missouri Southern State)
Strengths: Broad-shouldered and bulked up, especially in his upper body. Possesses the upper-body strength to shove opponents into the backfield and disrupt plays before they even have a chance to begin. Has enough short area quickness to slice through gaps. Possesses longer arms (32 3/4) than expected given his stout frame, which he uses well to keep offensive linemen off of him. Strong, heavy hands. Experienced playing on the nose, defensive tackle and out wide as a five-technique defensive end and has the length and awareness to be similarly versatile in the NFL. Good recognition of screens and draws. Surprisingly light feet and balance to move laterally through the trash and shows enough phone-booth quickness to close. Good strength and aggression for the pull-down tackle. Gets his hands up in passing lanes to provide quarterbacks with narrow lanes and has good hand-eye coordination and timing to tip passes. Enjoyed an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
Weaknesses: Possesses a disproportionately top-heavy build and a thinner than ideal lower body, which makes him less effective as a run-stuffing presence than he might appear "on the hoof." While active for his size, is not a quick-twitch athlete capable of providing a consistent pass rush in the NFL. Possesses only phone-booth quickness and lacks sustained speed, effort to travel far. Must do a better job of keeping his hands active, as he too often remains blocked when his initial bull rush or first step are handled. Missed the 2009 season due to injury.
Compares To: Antonio Garay, NG, San Diego Chargers -- It was Garay's struggles with injuries that pushed him down draft boards rather than level of competition questions, but like the former Boston College standout, Williams' wide body and strength could make him a quality run-stuffer at the next level.
Brandon Williams Missouri Southern Senior Bowl - YouTube
***5th Round (#137): Dion Sims - TE (Michigan State)
Excellent size, speed, agility combo for the position. Tough to bring down after the catch and can rack up yards. Improved technique, including stance, between sophomore and junior seasons. Offensive coordinator Dan Roushar complimented Sims' dedicated over the 2012 offseason to get into better shape and improve his focus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgAoHNx_6VU
***6th Round (#173): QUANTERUS SMITH – DE (Western Kentucky)
Quanterus Smith vs Alabama (2012) - YouTube
➢ Keenan Lewis – CB: Probably the best CB on our roster right now!
➢ Victor Butler – OLB: Gives depth at a position we are thin at, Butler has great talent as well, a great bargain
➢ Bryant McKinnie – OT: Provides Charles Brown some challenge for starting LT job
➢ TRADE: Chris Ivory to STL for 4th round pick (no one WANTS it, but we need picks); since STL picks in the lower half of the round, I’d say the 4th rounder is a good value for them and us as well
2013 New Orleans Saints Draft
***1st Round (#23): Desmond Trufant - CB (Washington)
➢ TRADE: Minnesota Vikings hop in front of STL to get Tavon Austin with #15 pick
➢ Saints get MIN #23 overall pick (1st rounder) + # 52 overall pick (2nd rounder)
Athletic with fluid footwork, flashing the foot agility to drive quickly on the play. Looks natural in space, staying balanced with the hips and transition skills to redirect in any direction. Physical and fights for the ball when it's in the air, showing an excellent competitive nature. Doesn't shy from contact and will get his nose dirty in run support. Very good job tracking and highpointing with a top vertical to get his hands on the ball. Good bloodlines and understands the NFL process. Good experience as a four-year starter (47 career starts), spending time both inside and outside and in both man and zone coverage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irJcBpfdxOk
***2nd Round (#52): TERRON ARMSTEAD – OT (Akansas-PB)
STRENGTHS: Remarkable athlete. Lines up at left tackle but has the athleticism to consider as a tackle-eligible pass-catcher. Good burst off the snap and accelerates quickly, making him an ideal fit in a zone-blocking offense which requires blocking on the move and releasing to the second level. Flashes great explosiveness with a powerful initial pop to the defender. Good balance. Plays on the balls of his feet and his knees bent, showing the ability to adjust to oncoming pass rushers and mirroring them throughout the play. Very intelligent. An Industrial Technology (IT) major who will graduate this summer.
WEAKNESSES: A better athlete than football player, at this time. Possesses excellent speed but too often gets to the second level only to lose sight of his target. Provides an explosive pop but needs to improve his upper body and hand strength to latch on and sustain his blocks. Does not do a good enough job of finishing blocks at the SWAC level. Struggled a bit anchoring against powerful rushers at the East-West and Senior Bowl. Possesses obvious upside but might need a year in the weight room to compete at the NFL level.
Compares to: Joe Staley, OT, San Francisco 49ers -- Savvy scouts had been watching Staley dominate the MAC for years but he didn't really begin earning national attention until a strong effort at the Senior Bowl and dazzling workout at the 2007 Combine. Should Armstead commit to the game with the intensity that Staley has, he too could wind up emerging as an upper-echelon blindside tackle in the NFL.
Terron Armstead (LT Arkansas-Pine Bluff) Senior Bowl - YouTube
OT Terron Armstead NFL Combine Highlights - YouTube
***3rd Round (#75): BACARRI RAMBO – S (UGA)
STRENGTHS: Looks the part. Has a well-developed, evenly proportioned frame well suited to the position. intuitive defender who reads the quarterback's eyes well and gets a jump on the ball in coverage. Shows good burst to the ball due to above average acceleration and straight-line speed. Times his leaps/contact with receivers nicely, showing good body control and hand-eye coordination to play physically without drawing the flag.Locates the ball and has very good ball skills. Possesses soft hands to pluck the ball away from this frame as well as the ability to track it over his shoulder. Highly aggressive tackler. Looks to lower the boom on unsuspecting receivers crossing the middle. Lowers his shoulder into ball-carriers, though he sees what he's hitting, not lowering his head and spearing the opponent and drawing the flag. Generally takes good angles to the ball and plays a key role in Georgia's defense as the last line of defense. Made Georgia's secondary calls for at least the last two seasons. Played free safety at Georgia but possesses the size and physicality to play either of the traditional safety roles in the NFL.
WEAKNESSES: Has a tendency to lead with his shoulder rather than wrapping up fully as a tackler, leading to some slip-ups. Generally gauges pursuit angles well but can get caught up in the trash when he gets too aggressive, leading to some cut-back opportunities for backs with vision, burst to exploit. Does not possess the elite recovery speed that his 16 career interceptions might indicate and is, in fact, a bit of a gambler. Has twice failed drug tests while at Georgia and was suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season due to his most recent violation.
COMPARES TO: Dashon Goldson, FS, San Francisco 49ers: Like the 49ers' standout free safety, Rambo has a tendency to make splashy plays as a pass thief and intimidating hitter but is prone to an occasional breakdown. If he can tighten up his game (and his off-field decision-making) Rambo has the talent to earn Pro Bowl consideration, just as Goldson has done for the 49ers.
UGA Best Safety Tandem: Shawn Williams & Bacarri Rambo - YouTube
***4th Round (#106): RYAN SWOPE – WR (Texas A&M)
STRENGTHS: Sturdy frame with long arms and good muscular definition. Exhibits strong initial burst off the snap. Flexible hips to sink, burst and separate across the field. Displays strong awareness and anticipation of zone windows, and exhibits suddenness to flip, sit and locate the ball. Plucks the ball routinely, then looks it in and secures it before turning upfield. Fearless over the middle, and looks to extend plays after the catch. Possesses quick, agile feet and has a knack for shaking coverage with jukes and stabs. Shows strong awareness of mismatches with linebackers and safeties, and possesses the 2nd level acceleration to beat either one. Tracks the ball well vertically, and adjusts his body nicely to throws off his frame. Effective 2nd-level cut-blocker when asked to support the run or quick WR screens. Consistently gives good effort to the whistle. Does not shy away from contact after the catch and flashes some power on contact to drag a defender.
WEAKNESSES: Struggles to break down and redirect rapidly, particularly when asked to plant and burst out of a pivot on underneath routes. Could be more physical against press, as he doesn't always utilize his solid frame to create space like he could. Isn't a real "burner", and relies more on quickness and fakes to create separation vertically. Will sit down and wait for the throw at times rather than drive back to the ball. Doesn't possess a huge "catch radius" and isn't a guy you can necessarily just throw it up to and rely on to go get it.
COMPARES TO: Brandon Stokley, WR, Denver Broncos - I look at Swope as a bigger, more athletic version of the veteran Stokely, but similar in terms of route-running efficiency, smarts, and craftiness in creating vertical separation. Although there are more athletic, explosive receivers in this year's group, few are more refined and ready to contribute than Swope, he is capable of putting up first-round numbers in the right offense. Has been designated by many as a pure "slot" target at the next level, but I see some tools that suggest he could be effective on the outside as well.
Ultimate Ryan Swope Highlights | HD - YouTube
***4th Round (#110 (from STL)): BRANDON WILLIAMS - NT (Missouri Southern State)
Strengths: Broad-shouldered and bulked up, especially in his upper body. Possesses the upper-body strength to shove opponents into the backfield and disrupt plays before they even have a chance to begin. Has enough short area quickness to slice through gaps. Possesses longer arms (32 3/4) than expected given his stout frame, which he uses well to keep offensive linemen off of him. Strong, heavy hands. Experienced playing on the nose, defensive tackle and out wide as a five-technique defensive end and has the length and awareness to be similarly versatile in the NFL. Good recognition of screens and draws. Surprisingly light feet and balance to move laterally through the trash and shows enough phone-booth quickness to close. Good strength and aggression for the pull-down tackle. Gets his hands up in passing lanes to provide quarterbacks with narrow lanes and has good hand-eye coordination and timing to tip passes. Enjoyed an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
Weaknesses: Possesses a disproportionately top-heavy build and a thinner than ideal lower body, which makes him less effective as a run-stuffing presence than he might appear "on the hoof." While active for his size, is not a quick-twitch athlete capable of providing a consistent pass rush in the NFL. Possesses only phone-booth quickness and lacks sustained speed, effort to travel far. Must do a better job of keeping his hands active, as he too often remains blocked when his initial bull rush or first step are handled. Missed the 2009 season due to injury.
Compares To: Antonio Garay, NG, San Diego Chargers -- It was Garay's struggles with injuries that pushed him down draft boards rather than level of competition questions, but like the former Boston College standout, Williams' wide body and strength could make him a quality run-stuffer at the next level.
Brandon Williams Missouri Southern Senior Bowl - YouTube
***5th Round (#137): Dion Sims - TE (Michigan State)
Excellent size, speed, agility combo for the position. Tough to bring down after the catch and can rack up yards. Improved technique, including stance, between sophomore and junior seasons. Offensive coordinator Dan Roushar complimented Sims' dedicated over the 2012 offseason to get into better shape and improve his focus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgAoHNx_6VU
***6th Round (#173): QUANTERUS SMITH – DE (Western Kentucky)
Quanterus Smith vs Alabama (2012) - YouTube