Ridiculously Early 2010 Saints Roster Breakdown: Cornerback
by Dave Cariello on Apr 26, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintJust two days removed from the draft and with most undrafted free agents inked, the Saints roster is pretty much set for 2010 training camp, with the exception of some restricted/unrestricted free agent signings. So why not start taking a look at certain positions and discussing what we can expect when training camp starts this summer? If you thought my grades for the Saints draft picks were premature, wait until you get a load of our next series of posts.
The idea is pretty simple here. Each post will address a different position on the Saints roster and group all players by their chances of making the final 53-man roster. All based on my personal opinion. Hopefully, this will give us a clearer picture of what we can expect this summer during training camp and where some of the key battles will be to watch.
Of course you can agree or disagree with my analysis and provide your own opinion.
Definite
Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Patrick Robinson
2009 starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter will definitely be on the final 53-man roster come September. Without question. Not only that, but I fully expect them to be the Saints starting corners for a second season.
Because of his status as a first round pick, Patrick Robinson will also be on the roster in some way, shape or form. Even if he fails miserably during training camp the team will keep him around another year for continued development. I don't expect that to happen; I am actually looking forward to his significant contribution to this secondary.
Likely
I really don't think Jenkins will be included in this group during training camp as I tend to agree with the speculations that say he will transition to safety. If he remains at the cornerback position, however, I think he's very likely to earn a spot. Jenkins' playmaking ability on special teams was a pleasant surprise last season but his play as a true corner was slightly disappointing. With a full year under his belt now, we should all expect the first-rounder to contribute more.
On the Bubble
The fate of these two inevitably relies on what the Saints decide to do with Malcolm Jenkins. If he makes the move to safety it means his spot is free for the taking, most likely to one of these two. At that point, it's anybody's guess and special teams is the deciding factor. This will be an interesting battle. Gay probably has the edge in this situation and Torrence becomes a victim of the numbers game.
Longshots
Reggie Jones, Glenn Sharpe, Greg Fassitt, Marcell Young, Rafael Priest
All of these guys will be fighting an uphill battle this summer at training camp. Assuming no serious injuries to the players mentioned earlier, the best any of these guys could hope for is practice squad. Greg Fassitt and Reggie Jones have both been here before and couldn't cut it.
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I think our CBs will be
Greer, Porter, Robinson, Jenkins, Gay.
Torrence will be a late cut in August.
Some of those lowest-tier guys MIGHT make the practice squad.
Way to get an early start on projecting roster positions, Dave! Your speculation is a s good as anyone else’s right now, and let’s see what kind of talking up we can get going on…mini-camp’s not that far off!!
We've got 27 ways to add up to 11 (players on the field). I came up with another one last night. -- GW
If I had to guess between the two listed, it would be Gay, being that he makes considerably more money than Torrence and doesn’t contribute regularly on special teams. I honestly don’t think either will be going anywhere, though, because I don’t foresee them re-signing Darren Sharper. Penciling Jenkins in as a FS, Greer, Porter, Robinson, Torrence and Gay all make the final roster … along with a possible sixth CB … though I doubt it, being that Jenkins, Young and Prioleau could all play the position in a pinch. The real battle in the secondary is going to come down to Prioleau vs Reis as a fifth safety, but I won’t get ahead of the discussion.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I should have probably said “Prioleau vs Reis vs Young vs Vaughn as the 3rd-5th safety” as I don’t think any one of those guys is guaranteed a roster spot.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I think Reis will be gone and even though I think Prioleau is the next worst player there (having never seen Vaughn), I can’t see GW cutting him after all they’ve been through
by Andrew Tessier on Apr 26, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Under the Sean Payton era...
The Saints have kept 6 corners every year except one where they kept SEVEN!!! 7 corners on the opening day roster. Obviously they value their play on special teams. I do think Jenkins is moved to safety, but regardless I think Gay and Torrence both stay.
Move Jenkins to FS
Keep Gay and Torrence
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
Wasn't Jones transitioned to FS in training camp last year?
Well, before IR, that is.
Interesting note on Patrick Robinson
The current Saints roster lists him as wearing Mike McKenzie’s old #34. Its official. He is Predator 2.
It looks like the only other numbers assigned right now are 71 to Charles Brown and 80 to Jimmy Graham.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
80 to Jimmy Graham.
Sacrilege. That will always be Mark Campbell’s number. “Pass is complete to Campbell….. and Campbell is down…..”
Oh. They gave 80 to Dan Campbell last year, didn’t they? Before he hobbled off to run the family roadside souvenir and Amway stand somewhere in Texas.
2010. Time to get over it.
The new kid in town
Everybody loves you, so don't let them down
do they still make football cards?
I like hamburgers!!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Apr 26, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes
Topps and Bowman still make football cards.
I think I heard that Upper Deck lost their license because of some fraudulent activity.
Ex. http://www.topps.com/product/PRDRLS.ASPX?sportsid=3&l=n
"I still think we're a team of destiny. Destiny is more powerful than a curse. Whatever is meant to be will happen. Faith." - Drew Brees
I think they will eventually sign Sharper
Jenkins will play nickel and Safety. Torrence and Gay will get cut. The money they save on Gay will help to sign Sharper. Prileau is gone. Vaughn will be 3rd safety probably. So they will also keep at CB Robinson and maybe Fassitt or another. Remember, they are going for a less expensive bottom line it appears. So we will have the same starting 4 in the defensive backfield and then Jenkins, Robinson, Vaughn, Fassit, and maybe Reis or maybe someone else.
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
Maybe Young also will make the roster
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
Starters: Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Patrick Robinson
Subs: Randall Gay, Leigh Torrance, Rafael Priest
Safeties: Malcolm Jenkins, Chip Vaughn, Usama Young
Wildcard: Darren Sharper. I’m not so sure they even want him back. But if he does come back, he’s going to bump Young off the roster.
This comment is sponsored by Southern Bell, the 'Then' Network.
Uh..... Roman Harper???
Minor oversight. :)
It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....
by yurintroubl on Apr 26, 2010 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Ooooh! Rafael Priest
An early front runner to replace Danny Gorrer as this year’s baseless darkhorse.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I'm just glad
It’s not 2006 with Frank Thomas.
And they came.
by Blue Chip Prospect on Apr 26, 2010 1:15 PM CDT reply actions
Look for Rafael Priest
To make the roster as a sub. The dudes stock plummeted after his injury, but if you look at what he did before the injury, it’s impressive. He was locking people down. Granted, it wasn’t top-notch talent he went against, but he still looked like a second round prospect to me, with the ability to become a quality starter.
Greer, Porter, and Robinson as the starters.
Priest, Gay, And Jenkins (in a pinch) for the backups.
Young, Jenkins, Harper, and Vaughn for the safeties.
No Sharper on my list, I think he’s going to find a new home. If by chance he doesn’t, Gay or Young may end up looking for new teams.
EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING,
If Priest is 100% healthy – He’s this year’s “Pierre Thomas” (sans cutting a guy we drafted in the same position). If we put him on the practice squad – he’ll be scooped in a heartbeat.
it wasn’t top-notch talent he went against
If my memory serves me well, he has covered at least 6 receivers that are currently in the NFL.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post included Priest as one of the players in his article I don’t care what anyone says, I like these five prospects.
Priest was one of my favorite cornerbacks whom I got a chance to evaluate this season, but a foot injury he’s been unable to shake cost him a shot at playing in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl and has kept him from running this draft season. However, what you get with Priest is an undersized, yet pesky corner who looks very comfortable sitting into his back-pedal, keeping his feet under him and cleanly redirecting and closing on the football. Now, he isn’t the most technically sound or physical guy off the line when asked to press, but he finds a way to get his hands on receivers and fight his way into their bodies. At 5-10, 182 pounds, Priest needs to add some girth to his frame, but he’s a prospect who certainly has the toughness, body control and balance to redirect and close on the ball in off or press man coverage and at worst should find a home as a slot guy in the NFL.
He was a 4-year starter who played out his eligibility as a Grad Student. If you take a look at his stats beginning with his 2006 Red-Shirt season you will see his statistics steadily disappear as teams just gave up throwing his way.
It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....
“If we put him on the practice squad – he’ll be scooped in a heartbeat.”
Herb Donaldson? Adrian Arrington? Chase Daniel? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Don’t get me wrong … he could wind up being plucked from our PS … P.J. Hill eventually was, once it became apparent that Brian Westbrook’s concussions were going to keep him out for an undetermined amount of time … but “in a heartbeat”? Hill’s now with the Redskins. Did Philadelphia make the same unfathomable mistake we did? C’mon. If there was THAT much of a market for any of these players, they would have been drafted, point blank. And yes, the same holds true for Pierre Thomas in 2006. If he doesn’t light it up in preseason, odds are no one’s touching him on our practice squad. Antonio Pittman? MUCH more likely to be snatched up. Why? Because he was a higher rated back coming out of college. Plain and simple. If Rafael Priest is 100% healthy AND has a great preseason, then yes, the odds of him getting plucked go up considerably. I still wouldn’t call it “in a heartbeat” though. Just depends on the market at the position at the time.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Donaldson, Arrington, Daniel, Hill, etc... All have one thing in common:
.
None of them were a 4-year starter for the team twice finished as the #1 Defense in the NCAA.
TCU did not lose, but GRADUATED (yes..as in “with degrees”) 4 starters from that top rated squad – half of them went exactly where they were projected: in the top 50 picks in the draft…. Prior to his injury, Priest was a top 150 guy.
I am not one to casually opine on players and knight this, that or the other… It’s like when I find myself hanging out with friends… and Jeopardy comes on… I don’t answer out loud unless I know I’m right. So – For $500, Alex… What is “If he’s healthy – he’s going to be on an active roster this year”?
It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....
Nice pic
Looks like he is completely mauling the WR. From what I saw so far, Priest reminds me of another J. David or worse Fred “CockRoach” Thomas. Just my opinion tho.
The person that came up with the phrase "Winning isn't everything" - must have lost.
by Fleur De Leap on Apr 27, 2010 2:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Mauling him with good inside position...
The receiver should have been called for offensive PI for playing Priest’s head and not the ball.
4Q 3:30 Stan 2nd-8 TCU 32 Pritchard, T. pass INC to 9-Sherman, R. (10-Priest, R).
TCU ends the Stanford drive 6 plays later, takes a Safety on the following possession with :07 left and preserves a 38-36 victory.
It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....
I don't think the practice squad makes anywhere near $6000/week. Anyone know for sure?
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
The minimum salary from 2008-2010 is $5,200 per week for 17 weeks, or $88,400 per season, in comparison to the NFL minimum rookie salary of $285,000. (Some practice squad players are paid considerably more, however. In 2006, the New England Patriots paid third-year player Billy Yates the full $425,000 he would have earned on the active roster.)
Season 06-07 $4,700/week
Season 08-10 $5,200/week
From Article XXXIV, Section 3 of the NFL collective bargaining agreement.
If you want to go riding in the tall green grass
Try to not spook the horse.
An undrafted player that excelled in the Cover 2, same as Jabari Greer. It’s almost impossible to know what you’re getting coming out of that scheme. More often than not, it’s being used to allow teams to concentrate on other positions in the draft. That often equates to lesser talent at CB being acquired over the long haul. Nate Clements was a 1st round exception to that and his production has dropped off considerably in San Francisco. Still a solid corner, just not All-Pro material and definitely not worth of being the highest paid DB in league history. Ty Law, same story. Jason David was a 4th round pick and also hasn’t been the same outside of that scheme. I don’t think it should be viewed as the kiss of death, just as a cloak of mystery.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
For those high on Priest
He is not going to make the team. Sounds like high-hopes for his fans.
Even IF he makes the team, you will soon realize how much you will wish he were gone.
Watch film on him, really…..you will agree.
The person that came up with the phrase "Winning isn't everything" - must have lost.
Link me to some film...
I’d love to know which TCU games you watched.
It's an ankle bracelet, not a halo....
They both stay as backups on the roster...
Jenkins will move to FS this year (either behind Sharper or as the starter if Sharper leaves) and these two will be the 4th and 5th CB’s on the squad behind Greer, Porter and Robinson, IMO (for whatever that’s worth in here…).
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