Dan Morgan Returning to Saints?

by Dave Cariello on Jan 22, 2009 6:00 AM CST

I told you Morgan was old. (Photo Source)

The Saints may be making their first off-season acquisition...again. Remember Dan Morgan? He's the linebacker the Saints signed from Carolina last off-season but before ever even putting on a Saints uniform he abrubtly retired. Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk says that Dan Morgan is planning a comeback.

Per a league source, Morgan intends to return to the New Orleans Saints

Of course this begs the question: Is Gregg Williams behind all of this? We know Gibbs sucks but is his defense so awful that Morgan retired just to avoid being a part of it and only now feels he can return with Williams at the wheel? I'm kidding...sorta. We already know Williams has a penchant for talented linebackers and has gushed about Vilma this week so perhaps he's behind all of this and is attempting to snag yet another Miami LB to be a part of his defensive turnaround.

Whatever the reason for his possible return it's fair to say Dan Morgan will have an uphill climb to make this squad next year. A talented player when in his prime, Morgan is no spring chicken anymore and has been very injury prone, playing minimally his last two seasons. I doubt Morgan will be much of a solution to the Saints defensive issues but everyone deserves a shot and it certainly couldn't hurt to give him a look. If Dan Morgan does return I wish him good luck and welcome him back with open arms.

Poll

Do you want Dan Morgan to return?

Yes

46 votes

No

11 votes

It's worth a shot

71 votes

Doesn't matter, he won't make it

14 votes

142 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Past his prime

I don’t know how effective he’ll be. Plus, he disappointed me by suddenly deciding to retire when he did last year. If he was still supremely motivated to play, he would have stayed when he had a roster spot already. If he does come in, I would be surprised if the Milsaps heat and humidity during camp doesn’t change his mind.

Go Saints!!!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 22, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions

There's a lot to enjoy in life besides football

And if I was that prone to concussions, I’d stay far away from a football field and just enjoy everything else. If he comes back, he may regret it a couple decades from now when the dementia kicks in. Or, at least, his family will.

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Jan 22, 2009 10:41 AM CST reply actions

rotoworld.com last summer:
Jul. 30 – 4:00 pm et
Jon Beason says he could see former college and Panthers teammate Dan Morgan unretiring and returning to the NFL.
Please, not another Brett Favre. “He is so far beyond, so much better than everybody else with speed, knowledge, being athletic – he could take three years off and still be better than anybody,” said Beason after speaking with Morgan on Monday. “He’s doing great. He wants to know what’s going on.”
Source: Charlotte Observer

I’ll bet Gary Gibbs needed a stiff drink when he got this news.

by stujo4 on Jan 22, 2009 10:51 AM CST reply actions

I thought he retired due to injuries

or not??

by shecky on Jan 22, 2009 11:12 AM CST reply actions

then whats the point??

I mean is Peyton so desperate as to re-up this dude who has a history of concusions and (for his sake) should stay retired…..or does the dude just need the cash? Whatever…he prob. wont make it anyway.

by shecky on Jan 22, 2009 11:53 AM CST reply actions

he's got skills

Big time. But baggage too. Concussions. Injuries. But BIG SKILLS!!

rotoworld.com May 2008:
After signing with the the Saints earlier this offseason, LB Dan Morgan has decided to retire.
What could have been. On a per-game basis, few linebackers were more productive this decade; Morgan just couldn’t stay on the field. He had the instincts and explosion not unlike Ray Lewis, his linebacker mentor at Miami. Morgan’s recovery from Achilles surgery is causing his retirement, but it’s for the best. He’s endured chronic concussion problems since 2003. Scott Shanle should start for the Saints on the weak side.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

by stujo4 on Jan 22, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

It was really the Achilles injury that sidelined him last year

not the concussions. The guy was drafted in 2001 so he’s actually not very old, what 30 at the most? In football years he might be older due to the number of concussions. But hey, who can talk bad about a MLB who gets concussions from hitting so damn hard? 25 tackles in the SB, we Panther fans still talk about that performance!! I think he is definitely worth a look for any team.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 22, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

Give him a try!!

he’d be a phenomenal 4th linebacker- and prob would accept that role and be ready waiting in the wings if there was an injury ane you might just get to sign him for a steal. But, obviously you wouldn’t want to biuld around him or plan on him being a starter from the get go.

by Philinwood on Jan 22, 2009 1:45 PM CST reply actions

Something to remember

Dan Morgan right now is not on the Saints’ payroll. That means we should consider him in the same light as a free agent—he will cost us extra against the cap. If we can afford one good free agent signing this offseason—and even one may be a pipe dream—do we want that one to be Morgan?

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Jan 22, 2009 3:12 PM CST reply actions

No thanks

he can’t be faster than Fujita,Shanle,Vilma, or Dunbar. Especially the 1st two, Don’t even think twice move on….

by metryman on Jan 22, 2009 3:17 PM CST reply actions

i completely forgot

that he was with the saints, i had just figured he was still on the panthers and was injured. everytime i saw a panthers game, it seemed he was right in the midst of the play. had a real nose for the ball and alot of intensity about him. i say give him a shot and see what he does. i think he was a weakside linebacker so either the saints gain an upgrade over shanle, or the saints gain depth at that position with an experienced vet. i dont see how this would/could be a problem. i wouldnt think his salary demands would be that large, but then again, what do i know.

by in the 9th on Jan 22, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions

Well my bet is that he´ll get at least a shot

if he makes the roster is another story

by shecky on Jan 22, 2009 6:21 PM CST reply actions

maybe he just needs the money?

by xen-cuts on Jan 24, 2009 11:48 PM CST reply actions

rotoworld.com:

Dan Morgan confirmed a Profootballtalk.com report that he will attempt to come back from Achilles surgery and multiple concussions.
Morgan has filed for reinstatement and intends to rejoin the Saints. “I feel better than I have at any point since before my rookie season,” he said. “I’ve been working out very hard and I feel great.” The Saints could give Morgan a look as a versatile backup linebacker, but can’t count on him to start.
Jan. 26 – 5:22 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

Change is GOOD.

by stujo4 on Jan 26, 2009 9:45 PM CST reply actions