Jahri Evans: the MVP of the Saints' O-line

by satchmo26 on Apr 13, 2009 3:16 PM CDT Comment 7 comments

At this time of year, there is little news involving our Saints, which inevitably opens the door to more and more hypothetical scenarios (guesswork) involving the draft and current players. One hypothetical swirling through my mind regards the unfinished business of resigning our valuable restricted free agents in Lance Moore, Leigh Torrence, Zach Strief, and Jahri Evans. Holding on to the rarely mentioned and possibly under-appreciated Mr. Evans especially concerns me. This guy has been the most consistent and reliable pass protector/blocker on the line in recent years. How many times have we seen a defender get by him to sack Brees and how many times has he been flagged for holding? By my count, not many.

Payton, if I'm remembering correctly, has referred to him as his best lineman and it's hard to disagree with that sentiment. Last February, the Saints gave Jahri the highest possible tender. The Times-Pic said this:

The Saints made the highest possible tender to Evans - a one-year, $2.792 million offer - which means the Saints would receive both a first- and third-round pick as compensation if their starting left guard signs with another team. They also have the option to match any deal he signs with another team.

At first, losing a 1st and 3rd round pick sounds like a lot for another team to give up for Jahri, but would it really be too much to give up for one of our division opponents looking to weaken the no. 1 offense in the league and in turn strengthen their own? Throw in the fact that the cap-strapped Saints don't have a lot of extra money in the bank to match any considerably higher offers by other teams and the thought of losing Jahri doesn't seem as unlikely. He's widely known around the league as a top talent O-lineman and could probably get a lot more than $2.792 mil. Sure, those extra picks this draft would be great since we only currently have four, but can we risk losing the guy who has arguably been the MVP of the O-line? Who could possibly replace him? Nesbit? a rookie?

I've been noticing over the past few days that many teams have been signing their restricted free agents and I keep waiting to hear about our guys. The free agency period ends this Friday, so I expect the Saints will lock in these guys (hopefully) in the next few days. Losing Jahri isn't worth the risk, IMHO. I expect Payton will break the bank, if necessary, to keep him. As of yet, it hasn't been reported that other teams are interested in him, so this is all just speculation. Since nothing else will be going on until the draft, baseless speculation is all we really have to talk about. Next, we'll discuss the possibility of Charlie Sheen leaving the cast of Two and a Half Men to pursue a duel career as a hip-hop artist/chimney-sweep. Stay tuned for this sure-to-be riveting discussion.

via cache.daylife.com

Poll

Would it be worth a 1st and 3rd round pick this year to lose Jahri?

Yes. We need extra picks! We can draft a replacement.

10 votes

No. Not worth the risk. Jahri is too good!

28 votes

Stop it man! You're scaring me!

10 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

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.

2 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

we almost take our o-line for granted

granted we had a few miscue’s but for the most part, our o-line has been a rock for brees. part of brees’ magic draws from his confidence in the o-line. though we might not have the best run blocking line, we have a great pass protect line and it’s been able to carry our way to a top 3 offense for 3 years running.

by nanvinnie on Apr 13, 2009 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it when they show him in his glasses during the introductions on TV games

Nice post, Satch. Rec’d it.

Jahri is one of those guys you only appreciate when he’s gone. Seems like a good person too, check out his website. Content is a little weak but he’s doing good things. Autographed action photo is only $25.

Dave, you should add Jahri’s website to the Players’ Websites box in the left column.

"The best hope for David to make the final roster is for the Saints to select players at other positions in the draft."- Jeff Duncan, T-Pic 4/8/09

by stujo4 on Apr 13, 2009 10:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What Happens

If another team makes a higher offer and the Saints decide not to match it or can’t afford to match it? Does Evans have any choice there- to stay with the Saints at that point and play in N.O. for less money, or is he obligated to accept the higher offer?

by Philinwood on Apr 14, 2009 1:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It would be his choice...

and we’d have to think that he would do what virtually every other professional player of any sport would do—take the extra $ and move on. We can’t be upset if he did do that. Of course, we don’t know if this will ever actually happen. I’m sure Pay-Loo is prepared to go all out to keep him, if someone comes calling. I just can’t get over the idea that a divisional opponent might want him in order to strengthen their own O-line and weaken ours. If I were the Bucs or Falcons, it would seem like good strategy when you have to play the no. 1 offense in the league twice a year. The Panthers probably wouldn’t be interesting because they employ a different offensive approach and their line seems to be doing quite well.

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

by satchmo26 on Apr 14, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs