Ross Jackson’s biggest takeaways from Loomis, Moore and Ireland at the combine (22 Viewers)

[syeager]

Many folks here tell us every offseason that this is a ten win or more team lol. Just part of the fandom I guess lol.

Hopefully this ends up being the year they’re correct.

Oh yeah....10 wins no doubt...our great new coaching staff will see to that

 

[Kramer]

You're absolutely delusional if you think 2025 roster is greater than 2006.

Brees alone is better than this roster combined.

2006
Brees
Deuce
Bush
Colston
Horn
Evans
Stinch
Fane

Are better than every single player on this year's offense with the exception of Kamara and McCoy.

On defense Fujita is better than any current LB.

Grant and Smith are better than any DL on the team.

McKenzie and Thomas are better than any current CB on the roster.

This might be the craziest post I've ever seen on here.

What about Taysom?

 

[StudioSaint]

You're absolutely delusional if you think 2025 roster is greater than 2006.

You're comparing 2006 after free agency and the draft to 2025 before free agency and the draft. If you remove all of the 2006 players from your list that were signed in free agency or drafted in 2006, the current roster Moore is starting with is objectively better than the roster Payton started with.

Let's revisit the comparison after the free agency and the draft this year to see how the final 2025 roster compares to the final 2006 roster. In the meantime let's look at a complete roster comparison instead of just cherry pickings.

OFFENSE​

2006
Brees (free agency 2006)

Clearly better than Carr, even though Payton didn't have Brees when he first took over the team.

Deuce
Bush (drafted in 2006)

I think Kamara is at least as good as Bush. There's no one on the current roster as good as Deuce was outside of Kamara. If the Saints drafted Jeanty, then I'd put the Jeanty/Kamara combo as at least equal to the Deuce/Bush combo.

Colston (drafted in 2006)

The Saints don't have a Colston type receiver right now, but neither did Payton before the draft.

Horn

I think Olave is at least as good as Horn was in 2006, even though they have different styles of play.

Evans (drafted in 2006)
Stinch
Fane (2006 draft day trade)

Brown/Nesbit/Faine/Evans/Stinchomb were the 2006 lineman.

Fuaga/???/McCoy/Ruiz/Penning are currently under contract for 2025.

If the Saints can get a good guard in free agency, then I think the offensive lines are close to equal. Remember that Payton didn't have Evans or Faine until after the draft so:

Fuaga/???/McCoy/Ruiz/Penning is a better starting point than Brown/Nesbit/???/???/Stinchomb.

2006 FB Karney and TE Campbell.

2025 FB ???/Hill and TE Moreaux/Hill/Hockler

I think 2025 already has an edge and they might add a FB and/or TE during the draft or free agency.

DEFENSE​

On defense Fujita is better than any current LB.

2006 Fujita/Simoneau/Shanle were the LB trio and they were all acquired in 2006 free agency.

2025 Davis/Werner/??? is as good as any combination of any two of the 2006 linebackers.

Since none of the 2006 LB's were on the team when Payton started, the 2025 LB situation is already hands down better than the 2006 starting LB situation.

Grant and Smith are better than any DL on the team.

Charles Grant/Bryan Young (DL coach now)/Hollis Thomas (2006 FA) /Will Smith were the 2006 defensive line.

Jordan/Bresee/Ridgeway/Granderson are under contract for 2025.

I'd give a slight edge to the 2006 final lineup as things stand now.

However, when Payton first took over it was Charles Grant/Bryan Young/???/Will Smith.

Moore takes over with Jordan/Bresee/Ridgeway/Granderson. I think Moore is starting from a better place their than Payton did.

McKenzie and Thomas are better than any current CB on the roster.

2006 McKenzie/Thomas/Stoutmire (2006 FA)/Bollocks were the defensive backs.

2025 Taylor/McKinstry/Howden/Mathieu are under contract.

I think Taylor and McKinstry are close to equal McKenzie and Thomas in 2006. I like the 2025 safeties more than the 2006 safeties.

SPECIAL TEAMS​

2006 K Cundiff (FA) & Carney P Weatherford (UDFA 2006)
2025 K Grupe P Hayball

The 2025 kickers are better than in 2006. I don't remember a better returner in 2006 than Shaheed and I don't remember a better coverage person in 2006 than Gray. They definitely didn't have anyone on special teams as good as Hill.


I think the current roster that Moore is starting with, before free agency and the draft, is at least as good as the 2006 roster was after free agency and the draft. Again. let's revisit the roster comparison after the Saints finish signing UDFA's.

One last note, Moore has the advantage of inheriting a team with a stronger winning tradition than Payton did. That makes a difference too.

 

[0rion]

I would just encourage people to keep expectations low. We have lots of things to fix and it'll take time. Personally....I just hope we get through next season without adding to our cap problems and without adding time to carrs contract. Even that probably isn't low enough.