Sunday Morning Linkage

by Dave Cariello on Mar 1, 2009 11:58 AM CST

Jeff Duncan of the Times-Pic just wrote an article this morning called "There's a change in the air with the New Orleans Saints." He's starting to get optimistic and it doesn't sound like the cautious kind.

So far the pieces to the puzzle appear to be falling into place. Something tells me the Saints defense is going to look drastically different next week than it did a year ago.

And I think everyone agrees that will be a good thing.

Calm down Jeff, don't fall into that trap. Remember who you're dealing with here. It's way too early for this crap.

The Times-Pic also had another article regarding Darren Sharpers visit on Monday. No wait, that's just what the title of the article would have you believe. Most of the article is really about the Stinchcomb signing. Here are the quotables.

"Like I said several weeks ago, this is the first year we really bumped up against the cap, so we've got to be careful about how we manage that,"

-Mickey Loomis

"We had discussions with other teams, but to be honest, they weren't compelling enough for me to want to leave New Orleans, even if it was more money,"

-Jon Stinchcomb

"This was my first priority. If we could find something we both felt comfortable with, that's what I really wanted to do,"

-Jon Stinchcomb

"I feel like my work is not done in New Orleans, on a number of levels, on the playing field and in the community," said Stinchcomb, who has started every game at right tackle for the Saints since 2006 and was the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2008. "The first thing is, I've got a loyalty to my teammates and that group of guys. And just playing with (quarterback Drew Brees), obviously I've started for three years, since he got here, and the opportunity to work with him for five more years is very exciting. And also the fans, the loyalty that they've shown."

-Jon Stinchcomb

Before you get your hopes up regarding Darren Sharpers free agent visit, keep in mind he will be visiting other teams as well. Word on the street - and by street I mean SB Nation - is that he will also be visiting his NFC North rival the Chicago Bears.

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But the Bears run the cover 2 defense

Before you get your hopes up regarding Darren Sharpers free agent visit, keep in mind he will be visiting other teams as well. Word on the street – and by street I mean SB Nation – is that he will also be visiting his NFC North rival the Chicago Bears

According to Sharper himself, he does not think he works as well in Tampa cover 2 and, in his own words, he is “more of a play-maker”. Whereas “Williams has always run a defense that is predicated on bringing a pass rush, which opens chances for interceptions for safeties in his system. Sharper is the kind of veteran presence that could be a big upgrade for the Saints, who have been pretty dismal in the secondary for the last few years. Last season, eight-year veteran Kevin Kaesviharn started at Sharper’s safety spot and was beaten on a regular basis, and 35-year-old veteran Lawyer Milloy isn’t expected back.” (By John Holler – VikingUpdate.com – Posted Mar 1, 2009) which works much more generously to the strengths of a Darren Sharper no matter how you slice it. Besides that, the Saints have more glaring needs at safety than do the Bears which is almost a guarantee to Sharper that he would start here almost uncontested by any other competitor on the roster.

by realheavyd on Mar 1, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions

Here's a radical thought

Why not simply trade out players?

We can afford to sign Sharper or Sensabaugh if we cut Kaesviharn or Bullocks. We can afford to sign Springs or Bartell if we cut Aaron Glenn. New guy just takes old guy’s salary, essentially. What would be so hard about this?

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

by MtnExile on Mar 1, 2009 2:57 PM CST reply actions