RB Kareem Hunt visiting the Saints tonight; Saints also working out LB Anthony Barr (3 Viewers)

[DeuceMcAllisterFan]

Keep in mind that the third 'starting' LB is a bit misleading as most teams play in the nickel with 2 LBs on the field far more often than a base 4-3.

I am pretty sure I saw a stat where the Saints were in the nickel for nearly 60% of their snaps last season. If you don't count short yardage and goal line situations, that percentage is going to be significantly higher. One could definitely say that the nickel is our base defense these days

And that's probably the big reason why Barr is hesitant to sign even though he doesn't have any other offer. His snaps would go down significantly and him shopping around is probably more to do with finding a team that could leave him on the field the majority of the game.

 

[Rouxble]

Keep in mind that the third 'starting' LB is a bit misleading as most teams play in the nickel with 2 LBs on the field far more often than a base 4-3.

I am pretty sure I saw a stat where the Saints were in the nickel for nearly 60% of their snaps last season. If you don't count short yardage and goal line situations, that percentage is going to be significantly higher. One could definitely say that the nickel is our base defense these days

We had 5+ DB’s on 74% of our defensive snaps, and yes, nickel is becoming base for a lot of teams as 11 personnel continues to grow in usage.

Edit to correct a pop quiz. After the 49ers, which team did we utilize the most base or heavier defensive packages against (as a %)? We were base or heavier on 53% of snaps against the 49ers, it was 51% against the second team.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

I'll take Fournette, Ronald Jones or Zeke for 3 Games, Let Hunt Chase his dollars.

Ronald Jones is with the Cowboys. I think he will be serving a PED suspension.

 

[Dago]

And that's probably the big reason why Barr is hesitant to sign even though he doesn't have any other offer. His snaps would go down significantly and him shopping around is probably more to do with finding a team that could leave him on the field the majority of the game.

Maybe, but with his tendency to get dinged up in the last few seasons and his age, money is probably his number one priority with being on a contender a close second.
At this stage, the best thing for his longevity would be as a backup/situational player. I doubt anybody is going to offer him significant money (relatively speaking), so I hope we are able to outbid other suitors

 

[bthomas1]

Ronald Jones is with the Cowboys. I think he will be serving a PED suspension.

I would Prefer Leonard for the 3 games if we can't get Hunt. He would probably have some extra motivation, coming home, looks like they will be using Kamara a lot as Receiver this year and get back to being creative with him.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

I've steadfastly been one of "those guys". I do have to ask if Ross Jackson is as infallible as, say, Diana Russini, though?

More fairly, I think Underhill had said that the team wouldn't mind more at the position, but I think the basic NFL teamonomics still apply: Develop your own at backup for cheap, bring in vets available on the street only if and when necessary. I've seen nothing to suggest there's a starting role at LB up for grabs, no matter how much fans here bag on Baun.

Totally appreciate that point of
view.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

I would Prefer Leonard for the 3 games if we can't get Hunt. He would probably have some extra motivation, coming home, looks like they will be using Kamara a lot as Receiver this year and get back to being creative with him.

Sure, for league minimum if he would accept it.

 

[Judge_Smails]

We had 5+ DB’s on 74% of our defensive snaps, and yes, nickel is becoming base for a lot of teams as 11 personnel continues to grow in usage.

Edit to add a pop quiz. After Cleveland, which team did we utilize the most base or heavier defensive packages against (as a %)? We were base or heavier on 62% of snaps against the Browns, it was 59% against the second team.

Raiders?

 

[Rexman100]

DA said today in his after-practice interview that we do not have 3 LBS. The rest of training camp and preseason will determine the starter (opposite of DD and PW) So we most certainly do have a starting role open. Barr has a starting opportunity w/ the Saints. I'm not sure of the depth at the Giants, but he does have chemistry with their DC. Regarding the RB: AK is 5-10 (216 LBS) Kareem Hunt is 5-11 (217 LBS) Eno Benjamin 5-9 (207 LBS) So we're in the market for a smaller back, so Fournette is probably off the table

 

[Rouxble]

Raiders?

Had the rewrite the quiz because I clicked the wrong filter earlier, but we were on base+ 13% of the time against the Raiders. We used it the most against the 49ers (53%), and second most against the other team (51%).

 

[Alan12]

Had the rewrite the quiz because I clicked the wrong filter earlier, but we were on base+ 13% of the time against the Raiders. We used it the most against the 49ers (53%), and second most against the other team (51%).

Second Falcons game?

 

[shabba1111]

People need to get over Kwon, he wasn't even good the last year with us and that was what, 3-4 years ago? The dream is dead, bury it.

Scratch hunt off left with out signing

 

[Rouxble]

Second Falcons game?

I didn’t break it up by game (just by opponent), but if I do, the second Falcons game is correct, followed by the Ravens game.

 

[Alan12]

I didn’t break it up by game (just by opponent), but if I do, the second Falcons game is correct, followed by the Ravens game.

Gotcha, I was wondering if it was broken up or not in the case of our divisional opponents playing us twice because I know the Falcons ran all over us for 200+ both games last year so I figured it was a good option.

 

[N8toe]

So we most certainly do have a starting role open.

I think the point is, it’s only a title. There may be a “starter” position up for grabs, but is it really a starting position if we’re in nickel over 60% of the time?