Saints worked out standout DT Ralph Holley of the Toronto Argonauts [Browns sign Holley] (2 Viewers)

[SonOfNOLA]

Western Michigan University (2017-2021),
USFL Philadelphia Stars (2022-2023),
Toronto Argonauts (2024):



First-team All-MAC (2020); Second-team All-MAC (2021); Grey Cup Champion (2024).

 

[Saintscuffy]

bring in all the good players you can

 

[SonOfNOLA]

 

[B_doggman47]

Has anyone heard anything about how the workout with Holley went? I haven't heard a peep or read anything since.

 

[NatureBoy]

Saints have had decent success with former CFL defensive lineman in their past history. Bruce Clark was good! Willie Whitehead had some productive seasons. Give Holley a shot, why not?!

 

[B_doggman47]

There's just not very much information on Holley. I watched some of his highlight clips, that guy is pretty quick off the line at the snap and he's got that speed to power going for him. If he can penetrate NFL O-Lines like he does in The CFL, sign him now. He disrupts plays in the backfield on almost every play.

Ralph Holley- (DT) Toronto Argonauts (6'1/285#)

Holley, standing at 6'1" and 285#, tied for CFL lead with 8 sacks and 24 tackles all of them are solo, in his rookie season. In terms of Holley's strengths, he comes as an extremely athletic on the interior.
Holley spent his collegiate career at Western Michigan, where he amassed 138 tackles, 45.5 TFL's and 20.5 sacks in five years. Holley participated in Western Michigan's pro day in 2022 where he recorded a 4.99/40 time, a 30" vertical and put up 24 reps of 225# on the bench press. That made for an above average 6.82 RAS, if y'all are curious. He also played for the for the USFL's Philadelphia Stars in 2023. He played in 3 games and recorded 12 tackles and 1 sack. Just updated.

 

[Live4theSaints]

Wreck it Ralph!

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Can he hold up against the run?

 

[B_doggman47]

I'm just assuming here, but with 45.5 TFL's in college, I think he should be able to hold up pretty good against the rush. I haven't looked at his complete stats with the Argos yet.

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

Can he play left wing?

 

[tenordas]

Hopefully, he is a stud. It's hard to tell. The talent level in the CFL is generally high, but it is not on the NFL level. I remember Pat Swoopes who spent a couple of years on the Saints roster after being drafted late in 1986 as a serviceable nose tackle, but not an outstanding one. After being cut at the end of 1987, he went to the Hamilton Tiger Cats where he absolutely dominated opposing offensive linemen in 1988. I saw him completely take over a game twice while watching the Tiger Cats (it was easier to get CFL games on television in Jersey). He returned to the Saints in 1989, but again, only proved to be an okay player against NFL linemen. He spent 1990 on the Redskins practice squad, then got a role as a backup for the Chiefs in 1991, but ended the season playing for the Dolphins before retiring.

On the other hand, Bruce Clark came to the Saints from the CFL and was a great player for several seasons for us. As I said, it's hard to tell. I'll hope we find a gem in him and he signs with us for several good years ala Bruce.

 

[Day1]

They have any 350 pounders in the CFL?

 

[SonOfNOLA]

 

[B_doggman47]

Par for the course, a day late and a dollar short. I wouldn't have let him get out of the building without signing him to at least a one year prove it deal. I believe we need some new talent evaluators.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Par for the course, a day late and a dollar short. I wouldn't have let him get out of the building without signing him to at least a one year prove it deal. I believe we need some new talent evaluators.

There’s a strong chance that the Saints gave him an offer. But Browns may have outbid the Saints beyond their desired $ threshold for Holley.

I think the Saints talent evaluators did a good job in identifying Holley’s skill to bring him in for a workout and potentially address DT depth. The finances are ultimately decided by the Saints’ cap GMs.