Saintaholic's mock off-season - version 1.0 (1 Viewer)

[St. Geezy]

So I was bored this Saturday afternoon and after reading several I decided to do my own. I apologize in advance for any typos. Also just as a disclaimer, this is just a mock predicting IMPACT moves. Of course the team will make other signings and moves to improve depth but I don't think its worth the hassle to try to project something like that.

Saints Mock Off-Season

Key Re-Signings

1. WR David Patten - Capable of starting another year to two years. Gets re-signed to a modest two year contract and will be the starter opposite Colston

2. C Jonathan Goodwin - Not the best center in the world but is adequate and cheap. I don't see Faine re-signing here (doesnt seem like the New Orleans-type and was forced to play here through trade).

3. WR Terrance Copper - Valuable special teams contributor and just an overall good guy to have on your team. Will make a play when least expected and provides good depth. Could start in a pinch.

4. TE Billy Miller - We've seen the best of him already but he is valuable as a pass catcher. Very good depth.

5. LB Matt McCoy - Valuable special teams player. Will get a 1-year tender

6. QB Jamie Martin - Not a big fan but the staff seems to like him. Will sign a 1-year deal for cheap

Extensions

1. WR Marques Colston - No question, this guy needs to be made one of the top 10 highest paid receivers. It'll get done.He wants it and the team wants it.

2. DE Will Smith - If I were in charge I would shop Will Smith's services simply because I do not like the idea of having over $120 million tied up in defensive ends. However I think the team bites the bullet and pays the man. Something else I do not like about the extension is the amount of "real dollars" it eats up but I think the team re-signs him anyway. I would take a low 1st or high 2nd for him.

Impact Free Agent Signings

1. OG Alan Faneca - This would be my big free agent signing. The former LSU product and Houma native will come home. The team struggled running the ball even prior to Deuce's injury. Championships are won in the trenches and this perrenial Pro Bowler will improve the run game tremendously. I am firm in my stance that this player needs to be our proverbial "splash" free agent. Our offensive line underwhelmed me tremndously.

2. LB Zach Thomas - Not the best guy avaiable obviously but should come at a modest price. The Saints should be aggressive here and over pay just a tad bit though. I do not believe there will be a much better linebacker available. I dont see Lofton lasting to round 2 and I do not think any of the other round 2 caliber linebackers are as good as some believe. Also, and I said this in another thread, I think some folks want to see the team sign stars but need to realize that those stars will have to want to sign with the Saints. Sometimes you have to take what you can get.

3. CB Randall Gay - Once again, not the best player available but you do not always get who you want. Another LSU product (no I am not an LSU fan) who will have interest in the Saints. Played for a pretty decent Patriots team and should be ready to become a starter for a year until our first round pick is ready to start and/or McKenzie returns from the ACL mid-season.

4. SS Keith Davis - We tried to sign this guy in 2006 but Dallas matched the offer sheet. He'll add depth and will be a key special teams contributor.

Day 1 Draft Picks

1. CB Mike Jenkins, USF - The Saints have ignored this position for far too long. I thought about going Ryan Clady here as a replacement for Stinchcomb or to move Brown to right tackle but I think the team is satisfied with Zach Strief. Jenkins is considered right now to be the best corner available on most mocks and he should come right in and play nickle this year and start in 2009.

2. DE Derrick Harvey, Florida - This guy looks like a beast off the edge and should help improve the team's pass rush. His presence will allow Charles Grant to move to tackle on pass downs and will be a force down the road.

3. CB/S Jonathan Hefney, Tennessee - I really like this prospect. He is only 5-8 but I like his versatility & 4.35 speed and a couple of years down the road he could turn into a very good nickle corner or play in the box on passing downs a la former Saint Chris Oldham. I also see him being a very good special teams player.

Starting Lineup/Key Contributors

QB Drew Brees/Jamie Martin

RB Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush (his role will become more defined next season. He'll be a third down back that gets 8-10 carries per game but will play WR most of the time. He'll also finally get his wish and be the team's primary return guy.

FB Mike Karney

WR Marques Colston/Robert Meachem/Terrance Copper
WR David Patten/Reggie Bush (slot)/Lance Moore

TE Mark Campbell (People have forgotten about this guy. Very good run-blocking tight end that will further help improve the run game)

LT Jamaal Brown
LG Alan Faneca
OC Jonathan Goodwin
RG Jahri Evans
RT Zach Strief (Stinchcomb is going into his contract year and Strief will win a camp battle)

DE Will Smith
DT Hollis Thomas/Orien Harris (I think we may have stumbled upon a steal here in signing him late last season)
DT Kendrick Clancy (Another guy people seem to forget about. The team didnt sign this guy to a 4-year deal just days after he was released for nothing.)/Antwan Lake
DE Charles Grant/Derrick Harvey

LB Brian Simmons (Shanle gets moved to the bench where he belongs and Simmons finally decides he still wants to play. I would like to see us sign Kawika Mitchell here because obviously I am not comfortable with Simmons at WLB)
LB Zach Thomas
LB Scott Fujita

CB Mike McKenzie*/Jason Craft/Jason David (even though I don't agree he should be, he may get cut)
CB Randall Gay/Mike Jenkins/Usama Young

FS Kevin Kaesviharn/Josh Bullocks/Jonathan Hefney
SS Roman Harper/ Keith Davis

PK Martin Gramatica
P Steve Weatherford

KR Reggie Bush

PR Reggie Bush

* - Starts season on PUP, available after week 6

 

[Skip Bayless]

8-8 at best with that roster

even though i like the Mike Jenkins pick up

 

[St. Geezy]

8-8 at best with that roster

even though i like the Mike Jenkins pick up

I don't know if I agree with that. The team went 7-9 despite injuries to their best running back McAllister, and some of their best players down the stretch (McKenzie, Bush, Grant, and Colston with nagging injuries). I think that a piece here are there and the team staying a bit healthier would net an 11-5 type season.

I don't think we'll see this team turn into a 14-2 type season in one off-season.

I would have added another linebacker (I really want Kawika Mitchell) but I really think the wallet will be stretched thin, especially with Colston, W.Smith, and maybe even Jahri Evans needing extensions.

 

[kevison]

Don't forget Usama Young. He really may win a starting job with that draft class.

 

[BoNcHiE]

I don't like the draft picks. I think you also don't upgrade DT, which is a huge reason why we stink on defense. We get no interior pass rush.

You also don't draft a LB in the first 3 rounds, which means your all but betting your season on a guy with head and neck injuries who didn't play but 5 games last year.

FA acquistions and resignings are fairly realistic though. I think Faine does indeed resign. I don't see how he isn't a "NO type of guy," but whatever.

 

[FlySaint]

Couple of points:

1. I would hate to go into the season with Zach Thomas as our only upgrade at LB.
2. Still need DT help...gotta generate more pass rush up the middle.
3. Need someone other than Reggie as KR.

If Harvey is there in the 2nd then take him. I don't think he'll be there though so draft the best LB available. We need to take advantage of a deep LB draft and get one in the 1st three rounds.

Sign a young FA DT (like Corey Williams). Any other ideas for a FA DT?

Re-sign Jahri Evans, maybe even a priority over Will Smith.

Draft or sign a FA WR/KR -- Andre Davis?

The rest looks good.

 

[supersaint15]

Bad offseason

 

[Trey W.]

i actually like the FA pickups. I really think Fanaca would be a great addition to this line and i've been pushing for Streif to replace Stinch since the end of the '06 season. The only thing i would add is if the Ravens don't franchise Suggs, i think he would be a great addition cause he can play OLB and DE in passing situations allowing Grant to move inside. I would really like to see a young LB in round 2 or 3 in the draft. You can get a DE pass rusher in the later rounds.

 

[St. Geezy]

I don't like the draft picks. I think you also don't upgrade DT, which is a huge reason why we stink on defense. We get no interior pass rush.

You also don't draft a LB in the first 3 rounds, which means your all but betting your season on a guy with head and neck injuries who didn't play but 5 games last year.

FA acquistions and resignings are fairly realistic though. I think Faine does indeed resign. I don't see how he isn't a "NO type of guy," but whatever.

I agree that DT is a big need but its going to come down to supply and demand and teams normally dont allow good DTs to walk. Also keep in mind, this mock off-season does not include day 2 of the draft. There will be some good linebacker or DT depth available there. Going further, I also see Grant playing a role as a pass-rushing 3-tech guy on passing downs a lot more this season. Also don't sleep on Orien Harris.

 

[St. Geezy]

Don't forget Usama Young. He really may win a starting job with that draft class.

I'm not as big a fan of Usama as many are. I think he is a special teamer and career back-up (which isnt necessarily a bad thing).

 

[supersaint15]

Usama young 6'0 runs a 4.3 and has 43 vertical, does than sound like a career back up

 

[jeff97]

I don't know if I agree with that. The team went 7-9 despite injuries to their best running back McAllister, and some of their best players down the stretch (McKenzie, Bush, Grant, and Colston with nagging injuries). I think that a piece here are there and the team staying a bit healthier would net an 11-5 type season.

I don't think we'll see this team turn into a 14-2 type season in one off-season.

I would have added another linebacker (I really want Kawika Mitchell) but I really think the wallet will be stretched thin, especially with Colston, W.Smith, and maybe even Jahri Evans needing extensions.

I would be really dissapointed if that is how our offseason went. IMO you have to get a LB or DT with the first pick. Then get a the best CB available in the second.

This is how i would draft, regardless of FA signees
1st: Curtis Lofton ( some may say hes a stretch at number 10, but after the combine i dont think many will fell that way.)
2nd: best CB available( hopefully Talib, hes projected as 1st or early 2nd rounder)
3rd: Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame ( good motor, very aggressive)
4th: Depending of Free Agency, either Chevis Jackson, or DJ Hall

And to say that the Saints wallet is streched thin is ridiculous. We are 30 million dollars under the cap. we have plenty of money, it just depends if Benson is willing to spend it.

 

[ballaholic]

Starting Lineup/Key Contributors

QB Drew Brees/Jamie Martin
RB Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush (his role will become more defined next season. He'll be a third down back that gets 8-10 carries per game but will play WR most of the time. He'll also finally get his wish and be the team's primary return guy.


LB Brian Simmons (Shanle gets moved to the bench where he belongs and Simmons finally decides he still wants to play)
LB Zach Thomas
LB Scott Fujita

>>Ballaholic - if this is our line-backing core come the season opener...we are f-tooled.

1. QBs - Jamie Martin = worst backup in NFL, no way bro...he's got to go.
2. RBs - Pierre Thomas.....where y'at?
3. LBs - If this is our line-backing core come the season opener...we are f-tooled.

 

[St. Geezy]

I would be really dissapointed if that is how our offseason went. IMO you have to get a LB or DT with the first pick. Then get a the best CB available in the second.

This is how i would draft, regardless of FA signees
1st: Curtis Lofton ( some may say hes a stretch at number 10, but after the combine i dont think many will fell that way.)
2nd: best CB available( hopefully Talib, hes projected as 1st or early 2nd rounder)
3rd: Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame ( good motor, very aggressive)
4th: Depending of Free Agency, either Chevis Jackson, or DJ Hall

And to say that the Saints wallet is streched thin is ridiculous. We are 30 million dollars under the cap. we have plenty of money, it just depends if Benson is willing to spend it.

Its not all about the salary cap. You have to figure in real money. The team will be spending a ton of it when re-signing Colston, Smith, and maybe Evans to long-term extensions.

Teams dont always draft for need. Every off-season we go through this with our mock drafts where people identify needs and think the team is going to draft the best player at each of them. It hardly ever works out that way, particularly past round 1.

 

[GermanSaint]

on of the best offseasons , because its more realistic .... i hate the fantasy scenarios where the saints sign ALL premium FAs