You know it's the offseason when.... (1 Viewer)

[TulsaSaint]

You know it's the offseason when people start clamoring for us to sign every washed-up veteran at every position, acting like our team would be fabulous if only we could sign Al Wilson, Zach Thomas, Dan Morgan, and every other old, tired, injured, used-up player who has maybe one or two years left in him. I think one of the strengths of the Loomis-Payton regime so far has been that they have not brought in guys like that - exactly the sort of guys Kuharich and Ditka would have been drooling over. Unless you are a team that is very close to having all your holes filled and that only needs a little bit of veteran leadership - like Junior Seau in New England - I think it's a bad idea to sign older guys with declining skills. It might be OK to bring them in to provide some veteran leadership, but only if you already have your other holes filled. And last season showed that this team still has too many holes. Oddly enough, they're the same holes we had last offseason. CB, LB, DT, TE, WR. There was not one free agent signing last season that really worked out well, except maybe for Eric Johnson and David Patten. But neither of those guys are long-term answers. The Saints are not in a position to be able to afford the luxury of signing veteran role players who will not be able to contribute much more than leadership.

 

[Slim K]

People aren't just asking for the "washed up" veterans. How many threads have you seen on the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha, Marcus Trufant, Asante Samuel, Albert Haynesworth, Corey Williams, Lance Briggs and Carlos Dansby? All of which are top tier players at their position.

 

[TulsaSaint]

People aren't just asking for the "washed up" veterans. How many threads have you seen on the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha, Marcus Trufant, Asante Samuel, Albert Haynesworth, Corey Williams, Lance Briggs and Carlos Dansby? All of which are top tier players at their position.

I didn't say that people were only wanting the washed up players. I just pointed out that a lot of people were wanting to go after washed-up players, and that I think that is a bad idea when we have so many needs to fill.

 

[Slim K]

I didn't say that people were only wanting the washed up players. I just pointed out that a lot of people were wanting to go after washed-up players, and that I think that is a bad idea when we have so many needs to fill.

Most of the good talent (the players I mentioned) won't hit FA. Which means you have to fill holes with older players because the draft can't do it all. The veterans also bring leadership and guidance to a team.

 

[cruize]

When those players have more talent than what's currently on the roster, I don't see it as a bad idea. Plus, new players bring hope. The one thing Saints fans are masters at. Having hope.

 

[basilisk]

I didn't say that people were only wanting the washed up players. I just pointed out that a lot of people were wanting to go after washed-up players, and that I think that is a bad idea when we have so many needs to fill.

which of those old, washed-up players are not upgrades over what we now have? crumpler? thomas?

 

[CargoJon]

You can only draft 7 players (or so.)

Of that, 5 will be lucky to make the team. One or two of those may might substantial contribution their first year.

We'd be lucky to get one big-name FA this year, a la Drew Brees.

We have enough holes that you need to look everywhere you can for help.

 

[SaintMeaux]

Why haven't we signed anyone yet?

 

[meily]

You know it's the offseason when people start clamoring for us to sign every washed-up veteran at every position, acting like our team would be fabulous if only we could sign Al Wilson, Zach Thomas, Dan Morgan, and every other old, tired, injured, used-up player who has maybe one or two years left in him. I think one of the strengths of the Loomis-Payton regime so far has been that they have not brought in guys like that - exactly the sort of guys Kuharich and Ditka would have been drooling over. Unless you are a team that is very close to having all your holes filled and that only needs a little bit of veteran leadership - like Junior Seau in New England - I think it's a bad idea to sign older guys with declining skills. It might be OK to bring them in to provide some veteran leadership, but only if you already have your other holes filled. And last season showed that this team still has too many holes. Oddly enough, they're the same holes we had last offseason. CB, LB, DT, TE, WR. There was not one free agent signing last season that really worked out well, except maybe for Eric Johnson and David Patten. But neither of those guys are long-term answers. The Saints are not in a position to be able to afford the luxury of signing veteran role players who will not be able to contribute much more than leadership.

I hear what your saying and I agree...but Zach Thomas would be a nice addition to this team, and all these players are subject to physicals and there are no guarantee they make the 53 man roster...I think these older guys a good guys to look at, because they will be maning the spots that our younger players will eventually take over...the real question is, are we gonna be depending on these older guys (ala haslett) or are they merely holding down the fort for a yr or two until the draft pick is ready to take over?