Running Back Options for the New Orleans Saints
by Dave Cariello on Aug 16, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintJust in case you missed the action from training camp yesterday, we learned that the Saints are currently looking to sign a veteran running back. Coach Payton confirmed what we already assumed when he addressed the media after practice. And by the way, I would just like to thank Coach Payton for actually giving us an honest response to a legitimate question instead of offering his usual furtive non-answer.
We're currently looking. It's not something that we've decided that we're going to wait on but the question is can we find the right player and do we have to wait if we can't. We're looking right now so I wouldn't say we're staying pat, we just haven't signed anyone in the last two days. Hopefully we're able to get someone in here that we have a high enough grade on...We'll see, but I'd anticipate that we'll be able to get someone in here before the Texans game.
So now that we know the Saints are in the process of finding a veteran running back to offset the loss of Lynell Hamilton due to injury, the question obviously becomes: Which running back will they pick?
Some are speculating that the team may wait for the league-wide roster cut-downs to pick up the loser of another teams running back battle i.e. New England. But that timeline doesn't fit with Payton's anticipation of getting a player into training camp this week before the Texans game. The pool of worthwhile running backs still available is shallow and with other teams like the 49ers and Texans also in the market thanks to injury and early retirement, it seems the Saints may feel a sense of urgency.
The fax machine is warming up and something is going to happen soon in the running back signing department. So I did a little research to find out just who is still available out there in the ever changing free agent market. Using NFL.com's outdated free agency tracker as my starting point, I compiled a list of running backs with no homes and then crossed off players that have since signed with teams. After the jump you'll find a breakdown of remaining available running backs and the team they last played for. This isn't an official list of every possible player available at the position but it includes the most noteworthy and probably includes whatever player the Saints will wind up signing.
Ladell Betts - Washington Redskins - This is probably the most likely possibility given that Betts was just in town two weeks ago for a quick look. He also met with the Denver Broncos but it seems they've decided to go with LenDale White and Justin Fargas instead. Betts has played his entire career with the Redskins but hasn't come close to putting together a season like his 2006 effort.
Jamal Lewis - Cleveland Browns - Although he stated that he is retiring from football, Lewis was just in New Orleans for a visit this April making his signing by the Saints a real possibility. Like all of the running backs on this list, Lewis is very prone to injury but being the third player in the Saints RB rotation would mean limited snaps would help keep him fresh throughout the long season.
Brian Westbrook - Philadelphia Eagles - This would be an amazing addition. Westbrook's health is an obvious concern but he's a great player with a great attitude. Unfortunately I really don't see it happening. He's probably a bigger name than the Saints are really willing to pay for. Also, it's already been reported that he will be signing with the St. Louis Rams today.
Kolby Smith - Denver Broncos - With all the running back signings happening in Denver, someone had to lose their job. Unfortunately for Kolby Smith, he was that player. He may not be the best option for the Saints but he's certainly a serviceable one.
Kevin Jones - Chicago Bears - He is younger than some of the other veterans on this list but Jones is injury prone like nobody's business, getting placed on IR last season in September with an ankle injury. He's got the talent, just not the durability.
DeShawn Wynn - Green Bay Packers - Coming off a knee injury that landed him on IR last October, Wynn is 26 years old and still got a few years left. The Bengals and Giants both showed interest in him this April. If his knee recovers, he could make a nice addition.
Aaron Stecker - Atlanta Falcons - Stecker decided to hang up the cleats this off-season but perhaps the chance to return to his former team is just the right situation to entice him back onto the football field. It couldn't turn out any worse than Dan Morgan's decisions, right?
Chris Brown - Houston Texans - Brown hasn't been very productive since his days with the Tennessee Titans. He might work in a pinch.
LaMont Jordan - Denver Broncos - Nobody has really shown interest in Jordan since he was released from the Broncos is February.
Ahman Green - Green Bay Packers - Recently signed by the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks, I think his NFL career is finished.
Samkon Gado - St. Louis Rams
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We trade our 2011 first-rounder and nine fumble recoveries to Minnesota for Toby Gerhart.
It was worth the wait.
by MtnExile on Aug 16, 2010 6:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Ha
Minnesota won’t be trading ANYTHING to our team for many years… lol
So which veteran actually fits what Payton is looking for? We know he wants a ‘big’ back and it’s gotta be someone who’s affordable. Unfortunately – and as injuries and retirements mount – Westbrook’s stock is rising…so is his pricetag. I look for him to reunite with McNaab and we all know the "Skins are willing to overpay for the guy they want.
Betts makes the most sense here for me. Hey, he’ll be affordable. Yes, his last great year was 1996, but all we need (assuming #25 & #23 stay healthy) is 130 carries or so and maybe 4 TD’s.
Just because the monkey's off your back doesn't mean the circus left town - G. Carlin
Since when Westbrook is a “big back”…??
You are my people, you are my crowd, this is our music, we love it loud...
None of the above
Wait for cuts, better talent will be available. If you need it now, trade a day three pick for someone that was probably going to be cut anyway. Don’t sign a back that is past his use-through date. Old runners are no good.
Westbrook, BTW, would be the absolute worst back to sign.
by saintsdevotee on Aug 16, 2010 7:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I have to agree here
We fould Bell and P Thomas as UDFA’s. I am banking we could find another gem. Once the cuts hit, the FA’s will be hungry to prove their worth and be willing to play for what is offered instead of wanting to drive the price up.
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Aug 16, 2010 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Bell
Was actually cut from Denver, not an UDFA
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Aug 16, 2010 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Old runners are no good
Thomas Jones led the number 1 rushing attack last year. He was 31.
"Here's the funny thing. Last night, I couldn't sleep too well. I called my dad (Bill) at 2:15 in the morning, and told him I had a feeling I was going to hit the game-winner from 42 yards on the right hash. I think I was two yards off."- Garrett Hartley
Backs
As Betts showed in 2006, sometimes picking the right back is a case of lightning in a bottle, just getting the right person at the right time in their career. I don’t know that we need to worry about getting someone that has “done it before” so much as end up with a little luck and someone that isn’t going to put the ball on the carpet. PT and Reggie are going to handle the lion’s share of the work anyways, find a 2 yard up the middle bulldozer and hope you get lucky and this is the year they go nuts.
by theprogrammerman on Aug 16, 2010 9:31 AM CDT reply actions
I’d be perfectly fine with any of these guys (listed in order of preference):
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (via trade) – 25 yrs old, 5’11" 215 lbs
Xavier Omon – 25 yrs old, 5’11" 227 lbs
Samkon Gado – 27 yrs old, 5’10" 225 lbs
Kevin Jones – 27 yrs old, 6’0" 225 lbs*
Ladell Betts – 30 yrs old, 5’11" 225 lbs*
DeShawn Wynn – 26 yrs old, 5’10" 238 lbs
LaBrandon Toefield – 29 yrs old, 5’11" 235 lbs
Adrian Peterson – 31 yrs old, 5’10" 212 lbs
*injury concerns
Adrian Peterson and Julius Jones are roughly the same back, imo. Peterson would bring more to the table on special teams coverage, presumably at a lesser price tag. I like Kolby Smith, too. He’s just more of a dart and dasher than a power runner and I think we have enough of that already.
Chris Brown runs too upright to be effective on a consistent basis. Eric Dickerson is one of the few backs that could get away with that unorthodox running style. Brown is obviously no Dickerson. Stecker’s serviceable, just not in the company of the aforementioned backs, due to both his age and lack of leg drive. Lewis is finished. Westbrook could be something special in this offense, but he’s also up there in age, is injury prone and would likely be looking for far more than the veteran minimum, which at his tenure would already be pushing what we’d be looking to pay for a situational fill-in.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I still wouldn’t mind giving Alley Broussard a shot, if he’s healthy and in football shape.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I don’t really see the benefit in another 210-215 lb back in BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Yes he’s a fairly decent runner, but he gives us exactly what we have in our other 4 backs currently. I’d prefer someone that could give us a little bit extra on short yardage situations. I like Xavier Omon a quite a bit though.
“Yes he’s a fairly decent runner, but he gives us exactly what we have in our other 4 backs currently.”
In terms of size? I agree. He runs a LOT harder between the tackles than anyone on our current roster, though. Same goes for Cedric Peerman (5’9" 210 lbs) in an even smaller package. While height and weight are pretty good indicators of power, they’re really only just a part of the story. Center of gravity, leg strength, determination, vision … i.e., recognizing the enforcer who’s slightly more out of position, when choosing a cutback lane, thereby making it an easier tackle to break … all of that plays into moving the sticks, on some level.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Is it safe to assume that Xavier Omon knows his X’s and O’s?
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
If we sign him, we’d have to go out and get a Jamaican play-by-play announcer …
“Omon … Reggae Boosh! Omon … Omon … Reggae Boosh!”
Yeah, that would never get old.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Peterson was picked up by Seattle the other day
That ship has sailed.
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by Dave Cariello on Aug 16, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Two more who surprisingly haven’t been mentioned:
Najeh Davenport – 31 yrs old, 6’1" 247 lbs
T.J. Duckett – 30 yrs old, 6’0" 254 lbs
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Julius Jones
GAAA!!! Please make it stop. Again for the record, Rotoworld:
Julius Jones-RB- Seahawks Aug. 15 – 1:13 am et
Working as the Seahawks’ starting RB, Julius Jones was held to just 13 yards on five carries in the preseason opener. Jones played the entire first quarter and failed to impress anyone. We’re not sure what kind of magic dust he waves in the faces of his coaching staffs. Justin Forsett replaced him in the second quarter, rushing seven times for just 17 yards but adding a nice 30-yard reception. NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora “tweeted” that the Seahawks remain in the market for a running back, and who can blame them? Jones isn’t the answer, and Forsett is a complementary back.
Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.
btw, CP, I have a 1999 Dodge Neon you might be interested in
Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.
got your man right here
Jeff Duncan tweet:
jeffduncantp #Saints just livened up practice with a set of goal-line drills. Chris Ivory starred with a pair of scores.
Tusk!
Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.
All right Stu. If he makes the team i want to see you dancing around with some kind of headdress that has some giant tusks protruding from it like teeth. Gotta admit, i like the nickname.
Deuce is hanging out with Najeh Davenport and T.J. Duckett.
Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.
What you talkin' bout?
How ’bout Willis or Willie?
Want to go to the Saints vs. Cowboys game? I've got an extra ticket.
No on Chris Brown now and forevermore.
Chris Brown wasn’t just productive but contributed to the many fumbles the Texans had last year, especially on the goal line (the whole reason we would sign him). For anyone thinking about it, take it from me…NOOOOO. That said, I might like Kevin Jones based on your analysis. If he is injury prone, well he is only going to be a third down/goal line back. So hopefully that won’t become too much of an issue. Otherwise I would defer to CP since he is much wiser on this subject than I am.
Otherwise I would defer to CP since he is much wiser on this subject than I am.
Perhaps you should allow Mickey Loomis to make this decision, rather than CP.
Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.
maybe CP is Mickey trying to get the fans view of things?
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Aug 16, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
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