Never enough safeties: Saints bringing in former Titans & Pro Bowl special teamer Brynden Trawick (1 Viewer)

[WxM]

Safeties are becoming the new LBs....

In the past, teams would carry extra LBs to help out on STs and such, but with the way the NFL is turning into a pass happy spread-out league, Safeties are getting more and more play.

Does that make sense? Or am I just talking out of my caboose again?

Correct, plus with the continued changes on special teams, the emphasis is a little more on speed and a little less on power.

 

[BIGRON]

The cream will rise to the top. Now lets go get McCoy to finish the FA process.

 

[rsmith2783]

imho - it seems clear to me that SP and Loomis are doing everything possible to load up for Brees final SB run - and beyond. After Wade Philips figured out how to seriously slow down our unstoppable offense of the 1st half of the season by doubling both Kamara and Thomas while daring the Saints to beat them with our other weapons, I just can't see SP allowing that to occur again this year.

Not going after WRs tells me that Meredith and Ginn are healthy along with either Smith or Kirkwood - or maybe both - making major steps forward this year.

I know we love to lean towards the "coach knows best" approach, which in most case that is true.

The trend i'm seeing somewhat reminds of before the start of the 2017 season. Our top guys were questionable and we saw very little during preseason to adjust our hope.

If it wasn't for Kamara, and a stout defense, it would have been a long season. I just hope that is not the case this year.

 

[Saintaholik]

Payton seems steadfast on having a top tier special teams this season. Good.

Man I absolutely love the moves pur FO is making this offseason!

It really is a special bunch of people running this organization.

We are extremely blessed to have so much talent in every aspect of this franchise.

As fans we have to enjoy this as much as we can, bc this is a rare group of guys on the field and in the front office

 

[El Caliente]

Three elements to football:
Offense
Defense
Special Teams

There are actually 4:
Offense
Safety
Taysom
Special Teams

 

[AARPSaint]

There are actually 4:
Offense
Safety
Taysom
Special Teams

 

[Infoman]

Most meaningful NFL games are decided by a TD or less... One possession most times.... Special Teams can be the great equalizer... A forced fumble, a block, a return for a score, downing a punt inside the 5, etc... can completely change any game. I'm glad we are addressing it.

 

[jmalon3]

Safeties are becoming the new LBs....

In the past, teams would carry extra LBs to help out on STs and such, but with the way the NFL is turning into a pass happy spread-out league, Safeties are getting more and more play.

Does that make sense? Or am I just talking out of my caboose again?

It’s not so much about the passing part as it is the kick coverage units after the recent rules changes. If you were to trend LB and DB signing vs years before and after the change. You’ll see the trend swing to picking up more DBs.

 

[AARPSaint]

When your roster is as stacked as the Saints' is, you can afford to stock your team with special teams specialists. This type of signing gives me a lot of hope for the season.

 

[insidejob]

When your roster is as stacked as the Saints' is, you can afford to stock your team with special teams specialists. This type of signing gives me a lot of hope for the season.

Exactly. Whatever their "other position" is really makes no difference. Could be a DB, RB or hell, even QB with top tier special teams skills that we're able to bring in just for special teams without even having to consider if they'd fit in another role as a backup since most of those spots are pretty much filled too with the roster we've got.

 

[USM_Black_And_Gold_Saint]

Well said USM - I think we all are. I saw a lot of Meredith cause I picked him up in FF. That kid is a serious talent with top physical skills. If he stays healthy, our offense will be just flat out rude with Cook already onboard.

Completely agree, and hopefully he's that guy. WR2 is really what's missing, and it was painfully obvious towards the end of the season when our offense was a little off. Cook takes a ton of pressure off MT and AK, but even just a decent #2 makes this offense deadly again.

 

[USM_Black_And_Gold_Saint]

There are actually 4:
Offense
Safety
Taysom
Special Teams

El Caliente coming through as usual! Lol, that was good dude!

 

[USM_Black_And_Gold_Saint]

Dumb. How many STers do they need???

I'm encouraged. They're leaving no stone unturned in trying to upgrade the roster. Look, the main roster is basically set. They're trying to fine tune the bottom of the roster by bringing in as much talent as possible. That's what good teams do. You either confirm what you already have on the team, upgrade it, make it better via extra competition, or if you're really lucky, catch lightning in a bottle by uncovering a diamond in the rough. Nothing bad about this at all.

 

[Slaw]

The definition of a special teams Ace. 6'2 225. Smaller than a LB. Bigger than a DB. Just right for ST. Could be a difference maker. Hardee, Banjo, and Hill should have some serious competition for the best special teamer on the Saints.

 

[Saint Droopy]

We may carry one less LB that was devoted to ST... I don't think of him as a safety at all just like Marcus Sherels is not a DB. He's our kick/punt returner and special teamer. Special teams matter.