Re-grading 2006 Draft

New Orleans Saints

This is the Reggie Bush draft for the Saints. He hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's still a good player. They also hit on safety Roman Harper (second) and guard Jahri Evans (fourth round), both starters. But the biggest hit was seventh-round pick Marques Colston, who has been a real steal at receiver.

Grade: B

6 months ago Saintsational 12 comments 0 recs |

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Once the 2009-2010 season is done..

The 2006 draft grade will be an A+, with Reggie Bush emerging to be a top back and Roman Harper becoming a top safety under Gregg Williams..

Real Talk

by AKAY47 on May 2, 2009 1:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Very solid

Reggie has done pretty well but a 2nd overall pick who isn’t dominating and who’s also injury prone should’t be overvalued. Jahri is the real steal because he is actually among the best players at his position. Marques looks great but injuries have prevented him from showing his true value. Roman Harper is acceptable but he’s not worth writing home about. Rob Ninkovich and Rob Strief also provide quality depth in the trenches. I’m feeling optimistic so I’ll go A-, but I truly believe this will be the defining season for the entire organization.

by T-Money on May 2, 2009 3:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Time Will Tell

I think when we look back at Harper’s career, we will consider him well worth it. I too expect him to do well under GW. Jahri Evans is excellent. Reggie has so much talent and actually, for the number of games he has played, he has accomplished a lot. This season is important for him and the Saints. Not so much that he has to have a breakout year, it will decide if he is a “situational” player or if he is close to an everydown back. I still have my misgivings about things just because it seems PT can do it all and so can so many backs around the league. Reggie is so talented- but I could easily forgo his explosiveness to have a back that is an every down back (even if he doesn’t play every down). And his slary is comparable to guysthat don’t have to be taken out of the lineup in certain situations. But, time will tell.

by Philinwood on May 2, 2009 8:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2006 draft/offseason

I agree with the author’s analysis. Reading the other teams grades really gives the author credibility. Bush has not lived up to his draft position yet. I still feel drafting him was the correct move, so I’m not down on Loomis for the pick. Harper has played like a second round pick; he’s a solid starter, but hasn’t been game altering. Evans and Colston were awesome pickups. When you can get long term starters out of day two picks you’re drafting well.

The author graded the draft only, not the entire 2006 offseason. If he had the offseason would surely get an A+. Signing Drew Brees was a coup of monumental proportions.

Next year when we get the 2007 draft grades I don’t think it will be pretty. I doubt we could get a C.

by saintsdevotee on May 2, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Signing Drew Brees

was the best deal this franchise ever made, with the possible exception of signing Jim Finks.

I remember living on the edge of my seat for days on end, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t sign with Miami. Thank God Nick Saban didn’t screw us over twice.

here drink some of this kool-aid don't worry it won't hurt you...

by MtnExile on May 2, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anti-Rec and BAH!

Who in the hell is Pete Pisco and what makes him think…. More MSM annoyances.

In my opinion, the 2006 draft for the Saints was a solid A-. How could it be better? Taking Mario Williams instead? I don’t get it.

Restore the wetlands!

by stujo4 on May 2, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Something Prisco doesn't understand

If we had taken Williams instead, there’s no guarantee he would have performed any better than Will Smith in our system.

Our own Pat Swilling is a good example of that. He played for New Orleans for seven years and averaged 11 sacks a year. Then he went to Detroit, where his sack average dropped to 5 per year. Then, he went to Oakland—where he had 13 sacks his first season there. The team you play for makes a difference.

here drink some of this kool-aid don't worry it won't hurt you...

by MtnExile on May 3, 2009 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

truth that..

and reminds again why I think Joey is a good fit here..

by MT_always on May 4, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of whom...

…if we do wind up with a new punter this year, we’ll have to have a new holder as well, since Pakulak handled those duties last year.

Why not make Joey the holder? (I mean: if he CAN be the holder.) Having a quarterback as the holder gives the kicking team an extra dimension; and giving him an on-field role in special teams could be a good way to build Joey’s confidence back up. Especially if he connects for a TD off a fake. Which everyone knows Payton would try eventually, with a quarterback as a holder; so every team will be just a bit more tentative with the all-out rush. Seems to me a win-win situation. (Again: IF Joey can do it.)

here drink some of this kool-aid don't worry it won't hurt you...

by MtnExile on May 4, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm going to be watching Joey really closely in preseason; he'll get some snaps, right?

Dell, get the connection ready.

The ugly truth that is rarely spoken here is: Brees is this | | far away from a serious injury on the field. Even a throw where his hand hits a helmet could put him out. Is Brunell ready? He’s 39 years old this year, is he in shape? Can he still take a hit? He’s a lefty, is everybody comfortable with that?

We stack it on Joey pretty tall, but he may need to play at some point. Maybe holding for kicks will get his blood going a little before it HAS to get going. I’m just sayin’. Good idea, M-E.

Restore the wetlands!

by stujo4 on May 4, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs