Sean Payton: Paul Kruger can be 'an every-down player' (1 Viewer)

[St. Geezy]

Paul Kruger isn't officially a New Orleans Saints player yet, but once the paperwork goes through, the veteran pass rusher could have a major role with the team.

NFL teams constantly monitor other team's cuts looking for players who can provide help, but it's rare to find someone who can be a starter-level player at the end of August. In Kruger, though, the Saints think they have someone who can seriously contribute to their defense.

"He was someone, obviously, that we kind of paid close attention to, and I think there's a pretty good vision for this player," coach Sean Payton said on a teleconference Friday morning. "I see him obviously as someone that can help us in the pass rush, but I also see him as an every-down player. I think he's strong.

"Obviously, you're going to play in a rotation when you're playing in the front, but he can affect the pocket, he's got strong hands and he's been a durable player."

Sean Payton: Paul Kruger can be 'an every-down player' | NOLA.com

I think we are underestimating the potential impact this guy can make for us. He was a double-digit sack guy just two years ago before Cleveland inexplicably changed his role on the defense.

 

[SweetT]

All in!!!

 

[Eman5805]

I know Cleveland fans thought he wasn't particularly good at stopping the run. But whatever. He needs to be on the field early and often.

 

[El Caliente]

For $5mill, he should be.

Counting on him setting an edge, and coming up with 8 sacks this season.

 

[los226]

I am not underestimating Kruger at all. It was a blessing that we were able to pick him up at this point in the season. He won't be an elite pass rusher, but he'll be a hell of an improvement over who we already have on the roster.

 

[JvilleJoe]

I know Cleveland fans thought he wasn't particularly good at stopping the run. But whatever. He needs to be on the field early and often.

Kruger has to be better than anyone else we had on the right side in terms of stopping the run. The guy is a veteran who is not yet over the hill in terms of age and he should be able to be a regular contributor to our rotation. There is not much this guy hasn't seen since he has been in the league awhile and that alone will help him be more effective than our really young edge guys.

 

[AARPSaint]

The every down aspect is the most important in my view. Richardson is more of a run stopper while Edebali and Gwacham are more pass rushers.

 

[daybreaker]

I was saying this in the signing thread. Even before the Kikaha injury, and especially after, we were just going to rotate in a few players based on situation, and pray for the best outcome play by play.

But with Kruger we get the pass rushing specialist, without sacrificing the other skills a DE needs on each down.

 

[ANKOMA33]

Expect Kruger to play with a chip on his shoulder.

Really like this signing.

 

[BoNcHiE]

For $5mill, he should be.

Counting on him setting an edge, and coming up with 8 sacks this season.

It's 3 million.

5m is with incentives.

 

[Bronson]

After Kihaha went down, I thought Edabali would be the man this year, but I'm glad to have him and Kruger

 

[Saint of Killers]

The every down aspect is the most important in my view. Richardson is more of a run stopper while Edebali and Gwacham are more pass rushers.

In general I agree, although I did think that Richardson looked better as a pass rusher this offseason. Gwacham should also be getting better vs the run, with all the weight he added. I'm really excited about our entire DL rotation. It should be much improved, from last year. We're atleast two deep at every position on the DL this season.

 

[MSUSousaphone]

And it's not just Kruger.....it's how Kruger will play in tandem with Cam.....and Fairley and eventually Rankins. That's some good talent that can't all be game planned for. If an opposing offense tried to sure up the middle and have help against Cam, our secondary should be able to hold long enough for Kruger to take advantage.....and so on and so forth wherever they roll the protection.

Last season there were enough weak links (coverage or DTs) where that couldn't happen.

 

[Numbskull]

Kruger could very well be our most impactful signing of the offseason. This team was/is in desperate need of other solid edge pressure players outside of Cam Jordan. I actually can't recall a bigger impact signing this close to a season for the team. There have been some small trades and pickups that have made a difference in the past (Scott Schanle actually comes to mind), but this move has more potential to swing our W/L record than any I can remember this close to Week 1.

Wish he wouldn't have cut his hair short! He looked even more like a beast with that long hair!!

 

[boo-boo]

He was a huge pick up. Would of even been a very good pickup if kihaha was healthy. Give us someone on that side of Dline that is not a liability in the run game. All the other guys on that side of the line are pure speed guys.They would not do well against a oline stacked to that side to run the ball. He also provides decent pass run ability for first and second down.