Saints met with top QB prospect Cam Ward [Schefter: CLE, NYG or maybe Saints have to make an offer compelling enough for #1 pick]

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Ok, why the stressed maybe on the Saints? Titans are feeding this. He’s a pawn. Keeps talking about some “highly aggressive” team like that’s not obviously us. They’re hoping we make a desperation offer and I’ll sparta kick Loomis myself if we give in.

It truly depends on if we’re getting the Loomis that went after Deshaun Watson, or the Loomis that went after Carr.

If it’s the former we’ll be fine. If the latter it’ll cripple the franchise if Ward isn’t the next coming of Steve McNair

 

[No2DC]

Ok, why the stressed maybe on the Saints? Titans are feeding this. He’s a pawn. Keeps talking about some “highly aggressive” team like that’s not obviously us. They’re hoping we make a desperation offer and I’ll sparta kick Loomis myself if we give in.

It truly depends on if we’re getting the Loomis that went after Deshaun Watson, or the Loomis that went after Carr.

If it’s the former we’ll be fine. If the latter it’ll cripple the franchise if Ward isn’t the next coming of Steve McNair

What's interesting is that before everyone came to the consensus that Ward was the top-ranked QB, the GM was saying they would only be picking a generational guy. That's Carter or Hunter, and if that's the case, they don't want to slide past three, assuming Cleveland or the Giants want a QB (although I don't know why they signed Jameis and Russ if they still plan on drafting a QB).

 

[StudioSaint]

Yeah this really feels to me like they're saying to teams come with your best offers and lets do business. If they had any kind of conviction on Ward they would do what the Bengals did in 2020 and say they have no plans on trading the 1st overall. Can't pass on a potential franchise QB, especially a franchise like the Titans that have been starved for good qb play since Steve McNair

If the Saints have already made an offer and Titans declined, then historically the Saints are done making offers and have moved on. That is what some sports influencers are saying has happened. Only the Saints and Titans know for sure.

Another historical tendency of the Saints, they don't get into bidding wars with multiple teams. They make their opening bid and sometimes increase it a little, but they don't get caught up in bidding wars. If the Titans turn it into a multiple team bidding war, the Saints will likely sit it out.

The Saints might be using deceit to try to start an early QB run to push other player(s) down to them or within reach of a less expensive trade up.

 

[sammymvpknight]

Ok, why the stressed maybe on the Saints? Titans are feeding this. He’s a pawn. Keeps talking about some “highly aggressive” team like that’s not obviously us. They’re hoping we make a desperation offer and I’ll sparta kick Loomis myself if we give in.

It truly depends on if we’re getting the Loomis that went after Deshaun Watson, or the Loomis that went after Carr.

If it’s the former we’ll be fine. If the latter it’ll cripple the franchise if Ward isn’t the next coming of Steve McNair

There is honestly not much optimism to begin with. It’s pretty bleak. Ward would give me the first bit of optimism in this franchise that I’ve had since Sean Payton

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

There is honestly not much optimism to begin with. It’s pretty bleak. Ward would give me the first bit of optimism in this franchise that I’ve had since Sean Payton

the FO would be smart to realize the fan base echo’s that sentiment. Getting Ward would be a PR boom in New Orleans…lord knows we need it.

 

[StudioSaint]

Agreed. In addition to all the usual considerations, that was a situation practically tailored between a player and team. Home state kid coming off the greatest season ever for a college QB, and a team desperate for a new chapter and a face of the franchise type player.

I think it would be easy to read too much into how the Titans are working this. They hold the most valuable pick in the draft and it doesn't hurt their position in any way to see what kind of offers are out there.

Another consideration, the shared revenue from TV contracts includes draft coverage. Better ratings equals more revenue from TV contracts. Drama and tension equals better ratings.

It's as likely as anything else, that the Titans are just doing their part to drive up draft coverage ratings. If everyone knows who they are staying put and some people wouldn't start watching the draft from the very beginning. Leaving that a mystery will get more people to tune in from the very beginning of the coverage to see what happens? It also builds more anticipation which leads to more people talking about which creates free promotion of the draft day coverage.

 

[BBarnes]

Ward fans.

Let me go ahead and ease your future disappointment.

If there could be less than 0% of us going from 9 to 1, then that’s what it would be. Saints are not in any capacity moving to 1.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

What's interesting is that before everyone came to the consensus that Ward was the top-ranked QB, the GM was saying they would only be picking a generational guy. That's Carter or Hunter, and if that's the case, they don't want to slide past three, assuming Cleveland or the Giants want a QB (although I don't know why they signed Jameis and Russ if they still plan on drafting a QB).

I trust the Saints scouting. Ward is the only QB they have w/ a 1st round grade. I’m willing to bet the other 32 teams have similar grades.

While Ward isn’t generational, he’s also worthy of the #1 pick. Unless you’re a team w/ a first time GM who seems fond of a fellow Boston’r in Levis and believes he needs to build the team around him.

To do that you need a plethora of picks holding the #1 pick ransom grants that opportunity.

It’s exciting and yet I’d be equally unsurprised if they take Ward. Frankly because they’d be smart to.

Unless…they really do want to avoid a Sam Darnold situation where you draft a guy, and watch him develop somewhere else.

If that’s a fear or a gnawing thought, Drafting Ward would accelerate that.

There’s no reason for NY to draft a QB early w/ a head coach who’s on Shaky ground. Meanwhile the Browns have no need to do anything but stay at 2 because they get the #1 WR/CB or the #1 Edge.

They can move back up and take Shadeur if they’re that interested

 

[DSnfla]

A trade up for Ward would be CATASTROPHIC if he didn't become the next Mahommes. It would clear out the FO and the coaching staff, everyone gets fired. Loomis could save his job if he married Mrs.B.

The only reason the 9er FO and coaching staff survived the Trey Lance debacle is that they had a pretty good team when they made the trade, and they got very lucky with Purdy.

I like CKM and still believe in Ireland and Loomis. But if a proven HC like Shanahan and a former player like Lynch can make as big of a mistake as Lance, does ANYONE trust this FO and brand new HC to pay what would likely be multiple 1sts and probably 2 2nds and maybe Olave, to get a guy that is the best QB in a BAD QB draft class?

 

[StudioSaint]

So far in the other thread, 67% have voted against the Saints trading up to #1 to draft Ward. Can't know how accurately representative that is of the whole fan base, but it strongly suggest that a majority of fans do not want the Saints to trade with the Titans to draft Ward.

I think the majority of the fan base would be okay with the Saints not trading up to draft Ward. I also expect this will lead to a bump in YES voting on that poll, so the polling will change..

Odds to pick #1: Saints moved from 200 to 1 odds to 26 to 1; Vegas has Saints as 3rd most likely team to select at #1

If we are going to trade up and mortgage future picks.... It better be for what the team sees as a Franchise QB.... So if that's what they do, and Who they see Cam Ward to be... and who they move up to draft... Cool.Oh... and for the "we have other needs" people... Of course we do...

saintsreport.com

 

[DSnfla]

the FO would be smart to realize the fan base echo’s that sentiment. Getting Ward would be a PR boom in New Orleans…lord knows we need it.

Catering to the fan base is the 1st step into the abyss

 

[sammymvpknight]

Ward fans.

Let me go ahead and ease your future disappointment.

If there could be less than 0% of us going from 9 to 1, then that’s what it would be. Saints are not in any capacity moving to 1.

Remember the epic Burrow trade thread? I don’t think that many people legitimately expect to move up…but let us dream before we draft some random inconsequential OL/DL player

 

[Tapxe]

From what I've seen of Ward, he's lazy with the ball, out arms college db's with off balance throws somehow looking effortless because of it. With our line that can go Farve. It can also go Leaf.

Honestly, I'd be fine with helping another need if they think it'll work. Carr is there barring something crazy like him for the #1 pick straight up. Frankly I like what I've seen from Rattler enough to wonder if that was the draw for CKM.

 

[BBarnes]

Remember the epic Burrow trade thread? I don’t think that many people legitimately expect to move up…but let us dream before we draft some random inconsequential OL/DL player

Touché my friend haha