Unfortunately this season has been defined by health and in turn resulted in our 0-3 start.
Why has the front office not addressed the critical losses at the key position of CB?
As much as people want to hold Loomis and Payton accountable for the apparent lack of talent evaluation and depth, which can be argued to no end... A healthy Breaux and PJ would have had a significant positive impact of this DA defense.
Also, imagine this team with a Josh Norman signing, who was targeted by Loomis/Payton.. This signing would have resulted in dead money, but for 2016 and 2017 we would be much better off..
The CB position was neglected in the draft, under the assumption that Lewis, Breaux and PJ would provide servicable depth..
We've made moves on the waiver wire that resulted in Moore and Webb, but we need to continue to address this position, especially since PJ can no longer be counted on for depth. Landing a solid CB via the draft can be very difficult and is at best a 50/50 gamble in the first round. (Think Artie Burns, Kyle Fuller, Justin Gilbert, Dee Milner, DJ Hayden to name a few..)
However, good organizations continue to pursue and address positions loss to injury and performance (Patriots trading a 6th for Akeem Ayers after losing Jerod Mayo in 2014)
We need to do the same..
A few players that could be worth a look for a potential trade; (Consideration only to a 3rd day pick, rounds 4-7 or a player trade)
Dre Kirkpatrick, The 12th pick of the 2012 draft, he is on his final year of his rookie deal with the Bengals and they have his potential replacement in house with Darqueze Denard while still relying on the aging Adam Jones.
Byron Maxwell, an interesting talent that has been traded from the eagles to the dolphins after signing 6yr, 63M deal, last night he was benched. He has restructured his deal with Miami and his base salary will be $8.5 for each of the next two seasons 2016/2017. If he's restructured once for Miami, he could consider it again for the saints. Perhaps a trade involving Ingram to a team desperate for a starting RB would make sense.
The fact remains that Solid/above average CBs are not available in the league for trade and usually only hit FA when their value has ascended to double-digit millions. This front office must consider any trade to address this position. In the offseason we can draft and hope for success, but designing a defensive scheme without at least one CB that will allow you to shift coverage is expecting the impossible. Breaux is critical to the DA defense, but his injury history is well documented and we need to continue to establish depth at the position.
The young UDFA corners are improving, but expecting them to play outside this season is a recipe for disaster.
This season is not hopeless, it may be painful, but it in no way shape or form feels like 2005, that was a brutal hopeless season. Keep your heads up, there is still time for moves, trades, and change...WHO DAT!
Why has the front office not addressed the critical losses at the key position of CB?
As much as people want to hold Loomis and Payton accountable for the apparent lack of talent evaluation and depth, which can be argued to no end... A healthy Breaux and PJ would have had a significant positive impact of this DA defense.
Also, imagine this team with a Josh Norman signing, who was targeted by Loomis/Payton.. This signing would have resulted in dead money, but for 2016 and 2017 we would be much better off..
The CB position was neglected in the draft, under the assumption that Lewis, Breaux and PJ would provide servicable depth..
We've made moves on the waiver wire that resulted in Moore and Webb, but we need to continue to address this position, especially since PJ can no longer be counted on for depth. Landing a solid CB via the draft can be very difficult and is at best a 50/50 gamble in the first round. (Think Artie Burns, Kyle Fuller, Justin Gilbert, Dee Milner, DJ Hayden to name a few..)
However, good organizations continue to pursue and address positions loss to injury and performance (Patriots trading a 6th for Akeem Ayers after losing Jerod Mayo in 2014)
We need to do the same..
A few players that could be worth a look for a potential trade; (Consideration only to a 3rd day pick, rounds 4-7 or a player trade)
Dre Kirkpatrick, The 12th pick of the 2012 draft, he is on his final year of his rookie deal with the Bengals and they have his potential replacement in house with Darqueze Denard while still relying on the aging Adam Jones.
Byron Maxwell, an interesting talent that has been traded from the eagles to the dolphins after signing 6yr, 63M deal, last night he was benched. He has restructured his deal with Miami and his base salary will be $8.5 for each of the next two seasons 2016/2017. If he's restructured once for Miami, he could consider it again for the saints. Perhaps a trade involving Ingram to a team desperate for a starting RB would make sense.
The fact remains that Solid/above average CBs are not available in the league for trade and usually only hit FA when their value has ascended to double-digit millions. This front office must consider any trade to address this position. In the offseason we can draft and hope for success, but designing a defensive scheme without at least one CB that will allow you to shift coverage is expecting the impossible. Breaux is critical to the DA defense, but his injury history is well documented and we need to continue to establish depth at the position.
The young UDFA corners are improving, but expecting them to play outside this season is a recipe for disaster.
This season is not hopeless, it may be painful, but it in no way shape or form feels like 2005, that was a brutal hopeless season. Keep your heads up, there is still time for moves, trades, and change...WHO DAT!