Possible Free Agent Acquisition: OT Khalif Barnes

by Dave Cariello on Feb 28, 2009 1:00 PM CST

Love the number. (Photo Source)

Another free agent making a visit to New Orleans today is Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Khalif Barnes. Barnes was a second round pick of the Jaguars in the 2005 draft and worked his way into a starting role. A durable player who started every game last year, he is most noted for his run blocking ability. The Oakland Raiders have also expressed interest in Khalif and California might be his next stop on his free agent tour. No word yet on just how much money Barnes might command.

Stats at a Glance

Khalif Barnes #69
Position: Tackle	Height: 6' 5"
College: Washington	Weight: 325
Experience: 4 seasons	Birthday: 4/21/82
High School: Mount Miguel HS; Spring Valley, CA	Age: 26

Offensive Line
Year	Team	G	GS
2008	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	16
2007	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	14
2006	Jacksonville Jaguars	15	15
2005	Jacksonville Jaguars	13	12
TOTAL		60	57

Do the Saints need him?

Tackle is not a position to screw around with when your entire team revolves around quarterback Drew Brees. Barnes is yet another player from Gregg Williams' former team, Jacksonville, but plays on the opposite side of the ball. Still, Williams might know something we don't. Now that Stinchcomb has re-signed with the Saints, Khalif might not be neccessary. Do we really need to be spending free agent money on an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in franchise history last year? They must be doing something right. Not sure how much money Barnes would want but there may be cheaper alternatives to upgrading the offensive line.

Poll

Should the Saints sign Khalif Barnes?

Who?

12 votes

Yeah baby

35 votes

Pass

58 votes

Depends on Stinchcomb

35 votes

140 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

never have enough protection

At the end of the game when we need to burn off the last 3 minutes you can run behind him.

by fluideng on Feb 28, 2009 1:13 PM CST reply actions

upside

He can also play both sides.

by fluideng on Feb 28, 2009 1:19 PM CST reply actions

If we sign Barnes

That might mean someone else is gone. We don’t know that they expressed an interest because they might lose Stinchcomb. Perhaps they envision Barnes as a cheaper replacement for some other tackle. Hmmm….

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

by MtnExile on Feb 28, 2009 1:37 PM CST reply actions

Barnes, a better run blocker?

Now, I’m not exactly for messing around with the O-line because protecting our “money-maker” in Drew Brees must be the top priority. Our present group of guys did that very well last season. But, remember when we were all complaining about their apparently poor run blocking? Maybe that’s why they’re taking a look at Barnes. That and the possibility of Stinchcomb leaving may be why they asked him to visit. Now that Stinch is staying, I wonder how that affects their desire to sign Barnes. It’s not currently clear how Barnes would fit into the lineup. As someone from the Times-Pic noted, they may be bringing him in for possible leverage with Jammal Brown next offseason when his contract expires. I say sign him if the money required is low enough to allow for the team’s more pressing needs on the other side of the ball.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Feb 28, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions

Barnes is no longer visiting

Mike Triplet reports:

Not surprisingly, free agent offensive tackle Khalif Barnes won’t be visiting the Saints on Sunday as originally scheduled, now that the Saints aren’t in the market for a starting tackle.

Turns out, he was to only be an option if Stinch left. More depth would have been nice on the O-line, but it makes sense to cancel his visit and focus on filling other, more important needs.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Feb 28, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions