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DownWithDisease
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I'm over-joyed with the Vilma trade, and the McCray and Gay signings both appear to be solid... I'm even pretty good with the Devery and Stecker re-signings (1 year deals and keep some continuity)
However, the Saints work is not over... IMO, we still need to address our other needs through FA prior to heading into the draft.
Specifically, we need to address DT, OLB, TE, and FS.
The DT crop has gotten pretty thin, but the guy that I wanted all along is still there... Browns DT Ethan Kelley. He's a young Hollis Thomas, and he's still got a good bit of upside. I really hope we bring him in for a look... more than a look. Another guy I'd really like to see us take a hard look at is Tampa Bay RFA DT Jovan Haye. This guy carries a 6th round pick as compensation, but he would be well worth it if we could sign him up. If the specualtion about Charles Grant sliding inside on passing downs is true, that will help out a good bit also.
Vilma is a stud... I love the fact that we got him! Having Vilma will make Fujita better IMO, but there is still a hole on the weak-side. Shanle is decent at best, and the Saints would be foolish not to try and upgrade that position now, while there are still some very solid guys out there. Landon Johnson, Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans, Boss Bailey, and Chaun Thompson are all UFA's that, IMHO, would be upgrades over Shanle... Also, Colts RFA OLB Tyjuan Hagler would be worth the 5th round compensation, if we could bring in a player with his athleticism, speed, and upside.
I honestly think we would be fine at TE if we just re-signed Billy Miller, held on to Campbell and Ghent, and looked to draft a TE in the 3rd or 5th round. Miller knows this offense, has the trust of the coaches and Drew, and has been solid for us.
FS is a hole in our defense... I think Josh Bullocks is better suited as a SS, but Roman Harper has a chance to be very good there. Chris Ries is a solid STer, but he's not the answer, and KK is a very good reserve DB, but not an every down FS. FS Eugene Wilson would be really nice, but I wouldn't want to spend the big bucks on him... I just don't think he's that good. Will Demps would be solid, but he struggles versus the pass much like Bullocks does. Here's the guy I think would be the best "get" for the Saints... Giants RFA James Butler. Butler was undrafted, so he carries no compensation if we were to sign him... He's a big guy at 6'3 215 and he still has a great deal of upside after only 3 seasons in the league.
I also feel it is important to get Marques Colston and Jahri Evans locked up long term ASAP. These are two key guys that I don't want to play around with... Let Will Smith earn it this year.
However, the Saints work is not over... IMO, we still need to address our other needs through FA prior to heading into the draft.
Specifically, we need to address DT, OLB, TE, and FS.
The DT crop has gotten pretty thin, but the guy that I wanted all along is still there... Browns DT Ethan Kelley. He's a young Hollis Thomas, and he's still got a good bit of upside. I really hope we bring him in for a look... more than a look. Another guy I'd really like to see us take a hard look at is Tampa Bay RFA DT Jovan Haye. This guy carries a 6th round pick as compensation, but he would be well worth it if we could sign him up. If the specualtion about Charles Grant sliding inside on passing downs is true, that will help out a good bit also.
Vilma is a stud... I love the fact that we got him! Having Vilma will make Fujita better IMO, but there is still a hole on the weak-side. Shanle is decent at best, and the Saints would be foolish not to try and upgrade that position now, while there are still some very solid guys out there. Landon Johnson, Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans, Boss Bailey, and Chaun Thompson are all UFA's that, IMHO, would be upgrades over Shanle... Also, Colts RFA OLB Tyjuan Hagler would be worth the 5th round compensation, if we could bring in a player with his athleticism, speed, and upside.
I honestly think we would be fine at TE if we just re-signed Billy Miller, held on to Campbell and Ghent, and looked to draft a TE in the 3rd or 5th round. Miller knows this offense, has the trust of the coaches and Drew, and has been solid for us.
FS is a hole in our defense... I think Josh Bullocks is better suited as a SS, but Roman Harper has a chance to be very good there. Chris Ries is a solid STer, but he's not the answer, and KK is a very good reserve DB, but not an every down FS. FS Eugene Wilson would be really nice, but I wouldn't want to spend the big bucks on him... I just don't think he's that good. Will Demps would be solid, but he struggles versus the pass much like Bullocks does. Here's the guy I think would be the best "get" for the Saints... Giants RFA James Butler. Butler was undrafted, so he carries no compensation if we were to sign him... He's a big guy at 6'3 215 and he still has a great deal of upside after only 3 seasons in the league.
I also feel it is important to get Marques Colston and Jahri Evans locked up long term ASAP. These are two key guys that I don't want to play around with... Let Will Smith earn it this year.