Saints Sign Jabari Greer
by BayouRebel on Mar 4, 2009 4:54 PM CST
49 comments
From the official Saints website
The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with unrestricted free agent cornerback Jabari Greer.
“Jabari is a young and energetic corner and will fit in nicely into our defensive backfield,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “He’s an aggressive player and has outstanding speed and athleticism and translates the skills very well to the football field. We are excited to have him join our team.”....
And a Q&A with our newest cornerback from the New Orleans Saints official website.
NewOrleansSaints.com: “You took the hard road into the NFL as a rookie free agent. How would you describe your career to this point?”
Jabari Greer: “I would describe it as a work in progress. I am one not to rest on my laurels and the things that I have done in the past. I’m blessed that I have an opportunity to play in the NFL and am very proud of the road that I have taken and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve had to work very hard to get to this point in my career and I think that’s why I’ve been so blessed with the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to come across.”
NewOrleansSaints.com: “You have been pretty busy touring some other teams and cities since the start of free agency. What were some of the things that you liked best about New Orleans and led to your signing?
Jabari Greer: “The corn grits that they served in the cafeteria (laughing). No, honestly I sensed something different here when I walked into the building and met the people that work here. I got the sense that every single person I have come in contact here are pulling in the same direction and there is a real hunger and passion here. From the coaching staff to the front office to the players that were here working out, I just came away really impressed and knew this was the spot for me. No one here said, “We are this, and we are that.” Instead they told me what their vision is for the team, what the expectations are. They treat you like a man. They showed it to me through their hard work and I appreciate that. At the end of the day, to me it made the most sense to sign here because of the feeling I got that everyone here is on the same page.”
NewOrleansSaints.com: A lot of fans that follow the fans may not be all that familiar with you as a player. How would you describe yourself as a player?
Jabari Greer: “Above and beyond all else I am a hard working guy and think I am very coachable and I put the team’s best interests above anything on an individual basis. I’m determined and ready and willing to do whatever is asked of me. I can line up and play in the slot, or cover out wide and am not afraid to come up and support the run. I will do whatever it takes to help the Saints win.”
NewOrleansSaints.com: Do you know any players on the team and did they talk to you when you said you were going to visit the Saints?
Jabari Greer: “I know Meach (Robert Meachem) and Marvin Mitchell very well from our days at Tennessee and I spoke to them and they both said I would like it here and it’s a great place to play and live. I also met Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter on my visit and they couldn’t have been nicer or more gracious. They talked to me and encouraged me to sign here and get a deal done. I met a few other guys on the team and it really helped in my decision-making. There’s a lot of energy here and I feed off of it and am thrilled with my decision to sign with the Saints and am eager to get started.”
This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
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Gat Damn!!!
This is turning out to be a sweet day!
I imagine now we are done with Free Agency, and look to fill the Safety position in the draft.
Personally, I’d like to see them sign Sharper too, the take BDPA…
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll also add...
that it is refreshingly obvious the Saint’s brass knows that the time is NOW, with the Quarterback we have, for us to win a Superbowl, and it seems they are going balls out to acomplish that. Major Props to the Saints…
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
wish we could edit our posts...
the take BDPA
I meant “then take BDPA in the draft”
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If we're looking to fill safety in the draft
That probably means we’ll be looking to trade down. If teams know that, we’re less likely to get a good deal. So Loomis is going to fool everyone, and draft a wide receiver in the first.
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 4, 2009 5:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
that's not even funny, M-E
although you never know, malcolm jenkins may still be hanging around at 14!
by DeuceisLoose926 on Mar 4, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
combine info
Name: Jabari Greer
College: Tennessee Number: 33
Height: 5-10 Weight: 178
Position: CB Pos2: KR Class/Draft Year: Sr/2004
40 Low: 4.42 40 Time: 4.50 40 High: 4.58
Projected Round: 4-5 Stock:
Rated number 18 out of 115 CB’s / 1166 TOTAL
Combine Results
Pro Day Results
Combine Invite: yes
Height: 5101
Weight: 178
40 Yrd Dash: 4.50
20 Yrd Dash: 2.62
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 07
Vertical Jump: 36 1/2
Broad Jump: 10’06"
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
No shuttles, leg cramps
Dates: 03/17, 03/31
Height: 5101
Weight: 178
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash: 225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
ANALYSIS
Positives…Has outstanding quickness with adequate upper body strength, good lower body explosion and the leaping ability to elevate off the ground to get to the ball at its high point…Quick to diagnose and break down the play, showing a good straight-line burst to plays in front of him…Fluid in his backpedal, playing with adequate vision working in the zone…Despite his slight size, he fights through blocks to make tackles near the line of scrimmage…Shows enough strength as a wrap-up tackler to bring the receiver down when working in space.
Negatives…Undersized with a frail "track man’s" frame…Dedication to track makes one question his desire to play football (had success early in his career, but play has tapered off since)…His lack of size poses problems in handling the larger receivers, as he will not be able to compete vs. the high passes…Has outstanding speed in his backpedal, but tightness in his hips makes him gather himself a bit before breaking on the ball…Gives too much cushion on deep routes, relying too much on his speed to recover (plays too soft, allowing the receiver to get a free release)…Makes plays in front of him, but has trouble locating and making plays on the ball in flight (peeks into the backfield too much and struggles to look the ball in over his shoulder).
by nepomo on Mar 4, 2009 5:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope he's worth it
Rotoworld is saying what I was just thinking:
Saints agreed to terms with CB Jabari Greer on a four-year contract.
The Saints didn’t learn their lesson with Jason David. Still desperate at CB, New Orleans adds another product of the Tampa 2. Greer is a better athlete than David, but wasn’t a shutdown corner in Buffalo, missed a month and a half last year with a knee injury, and has four picks in 70 career games. He isn’t a noticeable upgrade over Randall Gay, Tracy Porter, or Usama Young.
Let’s hope he does much better than Chasin’ David
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by satchmo26 on Mar 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who says we're not going to use them as zone corners?
We have no idea what Gregg Williams has planned. Let’s chill out and put our faith in Gee-Dub.
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True enough
We’ll just have to believe in Gee-Dub. Hell, he may even be able to resurrect Jason’s Saints career. Could we possibly get that lucky this year? After 40 years of mostly futility and heartache, maybe we’re due. The Bills fans over at Buffalo Rumblings sure seem sorry to see Greer go:
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2009/3/4/781036/greer-signs-with-saints#comments
Maybe that bodes well for us.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by satchmo26 on Mar 4, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jabari is not really a product of the Tampa 2.
His strength is man coverage. Take a look back at our game vs. the Cowboys from MOnday night a couple years ago (though I choose not to thanks Nick Folk). He did a great job shutting TO down by being physical with him at the line. He can do that but was never asked to do it much in Buffalo where we try to prevent the big plays.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 4, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Matt's Signature
Surely it should be “Fear can hold you prisoner, but it’s always the hope that kills you”?
by MarcusR on Mar 5, 2009 5:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's the tagline from Shawshank Redemption actually.
and as a Bills fan, all I got is hope.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 5, 2009 5:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Oh what a friend we have in Gee-Dub!"
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 4, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hi
Im a bills fan and I wanted 2 let u guys know that Jabari is a great corner back that could be a real playmaker with a decent pash rush. 70 career games is BS, he didn’t even get a chance to play until the 2007 season and when he did he showed how good he can be. He can D up some of the best recievers as I have seen him play great against ones like Terrel Owens. Be happy cause u guys got a damn good CB.
by jdol1568 on Mar 5, 2009 6:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks jdol
Thats wassup man my saints deserve 2 win we are a good team
by Mdee on Mar 6, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
good find, BAYOUREB
I was just thinking the same thing..have we gotten another undersized corner ala JD, that wil leave us wanting more?
I’m going to trust Wil-Mis-Pay on this until I see something on the field…
The Detroit Lions are on the clock!
by HansDat on Mar 4, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well, we can't really be sure about scheme yet.
But, we can be sure it’s not Gibb’s shitty scheme. It’s gonna be damn intresting…
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Christ, it's happening again...
despite my best efforts, despite all common sense, I’m getting optimistic again. Someone slap me…
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would say probably...
I hope Sharper is not…
Thanks Deuce!
by Hollywoo! on Mar 4, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Springs is in Philly (or has just left Philly)
but who knows, really, what he wants to do…
The Detroit Lions are on the clock!
by HansDat on Mar 4, 2009 5:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Any questions for me guys?
MRW from the Bills SBN blog, BuffaloRumblings.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 4, 2009 6:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nada?
Well if you want to talk about Greer, come on over and talk to a bunch of Bills fans who wanted him to stick around. We liked him but, like most guys in free agency, he probably got overpaid. Them’s the breaks.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 4, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was just about to post a bunch of questions
When you posted your reply above about Jabari shutting down TO.
I don’t know how much you’re up on our experience with Jason David, but it was pretty traumatic. We got our hopes up only to find out that he was the product of a system that we don’t use. He was worse than empty air at times.
The prospect that Jabari Greer could be little more than Friday the 13th, Part X: the Return of Jason (David), is something that haunts all Saints fans. We want to be optimistic (and, speaking purely for myself, I still hold out hope that Jason David can learn to function in a rational system—i.e., one not run by Gary Gibbs), but Saints fans all have snakebite scars.
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 4, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the input, Matt
I’m trying to think of a question, but since none of us know what to really expect as far as schemes go from our new defensive coordinator, nothing comes to mind…until now. I see Greer has only 4 INTs over his career. Is that mostly due to the kind of defensive system you guys employ in Buffalo? Your analysis above is encouraging. It’s nice to hear that his strength is man coverage. That certainly hasn’t been Jason David’s strength.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by satchmo26 on Mar 4, 2009 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It has to do with his lack of playing time mostly.
Greer may have been on the team for a while but he never played a lot. He was a training camp wonder for years but never saw the field. Over the last two seasons he slowly but surely made his impact. At first he was an injury replacement but he held onto the starting job.
I also think I can give you a little about Gregg Williams. He was our head coach for three of the worst years of my fandom. His corners blitz and play man. He likes to pressure the QB if I remember and not sit back in the zone. Greer is capable of jamming at the line of scrimmage and he is willing to gamble with help over the top. Both of his picks this year were returned for TDs on underthrown out routes by Trent Green and Brett Favre.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 5, 2009 5:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've watched every game of his
Listen to me when I say we got one of the best corners on the market. He is a great cover corner and I hope no one falls into the lull that he is a strict cover 2 corner.
He can cover, react and make a play. He’s shut down TO, Chad Johnson, and Moss.
He shows great instincts when making the play and was left on an island a good number of plays with the Bills.
Thank me that I’m Canadian and I give you good news :)
by SaintsDynasty on Mar 4, 2009 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, SD
But I want to see him make a video with Fujita.
I'm down with G-Dub.
by stujo4 on Mar 4, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s shut down TO, Chad Johnson, and Moss
your going to love him – he was a bright spot on our team – your lucky
Oh. Uh, will you hold my wallet for me while I take the test, please? There's a thousand dollars in there... or maybe there isn't. Know what I mean?
by J2 on Mar 5, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, Randy Moss made him look like a small child two years ago.
I think they quoted Greer as saying something similar to that in fact…
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Mar 5, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
In that game
He played excellent coverage on Moss. Moss could just jump over him. I watched that long TD to Moss. Jabari was with him step for step, but just couldn’t jump with Moss. Other than that one play, he played fairly well I thought.
by SaintsDynasty on Mar 6, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"If only..."
When the other team makes a touchdown, it’s no consolation to say, “If only he could jump as high as the receiver.” If he can’t, it’s a liability. We’re going to be sweating every time we play a team with tall receivers.
That said…it’s better than saying “If only he was as fast as the receiver, and could figure out where to be in this %@$#! scheme.”
RE-SIGN LANCE MOORE!!!!
by MtnExile on Mar 6, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i think
we should have gotten a saftey in free agency and drafted a corner….even though everything will be fine if Jenkins fall to 14
by taylor504 on Mar 5, 2009 12:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dude
We could have gotten ourselves a corner and a safety in FA already, with Greer fitting in at corner and leaving Mad Mike to go to free.
I’m not so sold on Sharper as a lot of guys on here, I’d say we could do with looking to parlay our first-rounder into multiple later picks (as I’ve mentioned in earlier fan posts). Depending on how the pro days shake out, there could be some valued commodities still on the board when we pick and so the trades will not be impossible to consummate.
by MarcusR on Mar 5, 2009 7:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Trust me you guys. This is the ONLY guy on our team (and that includes our #1 corner, Terrence McGee) that I trusted to go man (with help over the top) on Randy Moss. The only one. Because of our crappy line play, he’s not afraid to come up in run support. You got a good deal.
Last year, we drafted 2 viable corners in Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner, and couldn’t justify paying Greer what he was gonna get on the open market. I was big on paying Greer and trading McGee, but it just didn’t play out like that. The guy’s a class act and you should be happy.
by WhyBillsWhy on Mar 5, 2009 8:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
you're giving me the warm fuzzies
thanks to all the bills fans who’ve come over to help us understand what we just got in Greer. very cool of you guys.
by nepomo on Mar 5, 2009 8:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, when Faine was signed by TB last year I bet none of us went over to tell TB fans some info, so thanks
but someone can correct me if I’m wrong…I only joined in August
The Detroit Lions are on the clock!
by HansDat on Mar 5, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's different
Bills fans have no reason to hate us like taxes.
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
jason david 2.0...?
I know a lot of Saints fans are afraid of this, but I have the same feeling about Greer that I do about David— and I mean that in a good way. I really think Jason David’s struggles as a Saint were purely a product of the defensive scheme— he’s a talented athlete and a good player, and you could see flashes of that last season. Hopefully Gregg the Savior of the Saints defense can get him up to his potential, but I think Greer will fit in well in the same way. Not so worried about our corners for next season….especially if we can get them some help over the top…
by jful on Mar 5, 2009 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
if...
your basing your opinion of JD flashes on his interceptioins then you have flawed logic.
I think that the majority of his interceptions were blind luck where he was the only person able to catch them. Come to think about it, were there not a couple of 4th down better to drop then catches in there?
JD sucked last year. He sucked the year before. I had to have a beer every time I saw him on the field.
I hope to whatever you pray to that he was just awful because of the scheme, or lack there of. I already have much more trust and faith in Greer then I do for JD.
MT
by MT_always on Mar 5, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I do remember one INT
I think in the Green Bay game, where JD was obviously lying in wait. He jumped the route perfectly. That, I think, was the first one where he did his little dance afterward.
Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...
by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jabari Greer and Jason David
Man you guys need to lay off jason that dude played a bit better last year and i think he will improve this year under a new defensive coordinator like coach will and as for Jabari i been researhing that cat and he is definetly a good pick-up… u guys will see….i understand we as saints fans are optimistic but lets just hope for the best and believe this is our season to at least be half decent on defense yah dig the area we need to get a lil more depth to is DT and linebacker doesn’t anyone else agree
by Mdee on Mar 6, 2009 3:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
aye outside
I like Fuj, I do. But like Karney who I also liked, I think he can be upgraded.
Its the other side that worries me more. Can our new (old) man win that position?
MT
by MT_always on Mar 7, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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