If/When Free Agency Starts...
by Alex Swift on May 11, 2011 9:49 AM CDT
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PrintIf/when we are allowed to start signing players this offseason, who should we target? What positions should we improve upon? Who are we more likely to spend money on?
We can all agree there are still some minor improvements that need to be made. OLB is still pretty weak. Another SS to push Roman Harper would be nice. DT, TE and WR depth. A backup QB capable of winning a game or two if we need him. OT. So, who are the best possible FA's at these positions, and who should we sign, if the money is right? I'm going to be using Jason La Canfora's unofficial list, which is based on the 2010 FA rules.
Let's start on offense.
WR:
Potential Signees: Vincent Jackson, Braylon Edwards, Santana Moss, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth.
All of these guys have proven, throughout their career, that they have the ability to be great receivers. However, there are question marks surrounding all of them. For TO, Randy and Santana, it's age. All of them have at least 10 seasons under their belt, with TO going into his 16th. For Braylon, his hands have come into question quite a bit, especially in his Cleveland days. Stallworth has bounced around the league, but his speed is a big asset. Vincent Jackson has been named a troubled WR, but I think that has more to do with him just not wanting to be franchise tagged.
Best option: Terrell Owens. Could have had another 1000-yard season last year, had he not had an injury late in the season. Still works hard every play. Ya, he sometimes complains about not getting the ball enough, but Drew knows how to spread it around. TO would definitely get his share of the workload. Would, at the very least, take double-teams away from Marques Colston.
TE:
Bo Scaife, Desmond Clark, Randy McMichael.
Not much to work with here. These three are all mainly blocking TEs, but all have the ability to be threats in the passing game too.
Best Option: Stick with Jimmy Graham and David Thomas, re-sign Tory Humphrey. I don't really know why you guys are complaining about TE depth. Graham is a very athletic TE, capable of beating LBs over the middle, and crushing Safetys in his way. Thomas has been a great in-line blocker for us, and Humphrey can provide added depth.
QB2:
Kerry Collins and Matt Hasselbeck are probably our best options here. There's a lot of guys with plenty of experience out there, but most of them have been(or should have been) career backups.
Best Option: Kerry Collins. I don't see Hasselbeck settling for a backup position, and Collins has proven he can win with a team with plenty of talent around him.
OT:
Matt Light, Chester Pitts, Jamaal Brown.
The three of these guys have proven to be able to handle the load at LT. I don't see any of them being a bad pickup.
Best Option: Chester Pitts. Like I said, I don't see any of them being a bad pickup, but Pitts will probably be the cheapest.
And, on defense:
OLB:
Keith Bulluck, LeRoy Hill, Mike Peterson.
As a one or two year stop gap, Bulluck and Peterson would both perform very well. Hill is probably going to be out of our price range, but I'd love to see him in Black&Gold.
Best Option: LeRoy Hill. TO won't be too expensive, and hopefully Pitts won't be either. The FA budget needs to be geared towards upgrading our OLB, and Hill would start immediately. Plus, Lunch Pail could go to backup duty. Where he belongs.
SS:
Brodney Poole, Quinton Mikell.
Really the only two solid options available at SS in this years FA class.
Best Option: Quinton Mikell. He has already stated that he likely won't be in Philly next year, so he must think he's going to get a lot of interest on the open market. Hopefully he doesn't.
DT:
Aubrayo Franklin. He is the only game-changer available at DT this year. If we sign him, Ellis and Franklin could be a great DT tandem for years.
Best Option: Aubrayo Franklin.
So, based on the FA list I used, is there anybody else you'd like to pick up? Or anybody you would rather, over the guys I've chosen?
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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My original vow was to keep this place from turning into Bleacher Report. I’ve abandoned that stance and I’m considering a cut and run.
Now that I know what I feel must be right,
I'm here to show everybody the light
^ This
I can’t believe it’s come to this: we’re debating signing Terrell Owens.
It was good while it lasted.
I’ve wanted TO since he left Dallas and proved he wasn’t as much of a diva as everyone thought he was
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
I want TO
to shut up and go away, and let me enjoy football again without being subjected to The TO Show Starring TO.
I certainly don’t want to see The TO Show Starring TO Episode 6: Who Dat Loves Me Some Me?
It was good while it lasted.
TO you say?
I think signing TO would be great for our recievers. His swagger would rub onto our WRs. Lance is the only WR with the swagger/attitude. He would definitely take some pressure off Colston but just worry about TO’s hands from time to time. Colston is already one of the best if not THE BEST at catching in traffic but if he doesn’t have to, Colston’s YAC would greatly improve.
OK, I gotta answer this… because I saw TO in Cincy last year. I live here, so every game that wasn’t blacked out I got to watch on TV. And I did. So I actually have recent knowledge of the public situation. I can’t speak to the locker room effect, but I can speak to the on-field production.
TO was playing with a moron named Chad who can’t run the right route anymore to save his life, facing double-coverage much of the year and even occasional triple-coverage, and losing much of the year. He was playing with a QB who’s accuracy has gone to pot, who’s arm strength has disappeared after two critical injuries, and who was running for his life behind an absolutely atrocious OL much of the time. And despite all that, he still produced. Not as well I’d have preferred, but he did produce.
That said, Carson also felt compelled to force the ball into double and triple coverage to get him the ball. Carson is not a leader, however. He’s an introvert and a guy who just wants to play ball. Drew, fortunately, is a completely different animal. So yes I DO agree that it could probably work out and work out quite well.
For the first year or two, at least.
For the first year or two, at least.
I’m thinking a one year deal is all he’s gonna get anywhere anyways, and if he signs with us and gets another ring, he’ll retire. So that’s why I’m fine with him
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Another? I don’t think he has one at all.
But yeah, I do agree that if he gets one with us, he’ll probably retire. That’s about all that’s keeping him playing anymore anyway.
Can’t remember off the top of my head, but I thought he had one with San Fran. I could be wrong tho
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Colston’s YAC would greatly improve.
Took the words right out of my mouth. YAC was definitely lacking last season. It seemed like almost every catch that was made was immediately tackled right after.
That's interesting. You know what makes me sad? YOU DO!!! Maybe we should chug on over to mambypandyland...or maybe we can find some self confidence for you YA JACKWAGON!!!!!!
(tears) Tissue?.....Crybaby.
That’s Colston’s specialty. He’s a possession receiver and a VERY good one. But he’s VERY rarely able to catch the ball in space. He never has. He just catches the balls anyway because of his height and ability to twist his body to catch stuff the defender is four feet away from and has no shot to interfere with.
Agreed. He’s no game breaker. Herman Moore clone.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
That doesn’t bother me tho. He’s a very valuable cog in the machine to me.
But yeah, he’s still a possession receiver. Unless he’s completely uncovered by some sort of a pic play or a lapse in coverage, all he’s going to do is catch the ball and get tackled pretty quickly.
Then again, if we did have a guy demanding double coverage, maybe Colston would get that open more often. And it’s not like he’s that slow…
Ideally, he should be playing the slot. He’s a little too soft for a guy of his size, though. Footsteps = alligator arms. I saw too much of that the last couple of years.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
WR:…Best option: Terrell Owens. Could have had another 1000-yard season last year, had he not had an injury late in the season.
Dunno about this. He had that good of a season despite TRIPLE coverage at times… so yeah, he’s obviously still got some tread on his tires. And he was actually a pretty decent teammate two years in a row. It appears that his first year in any new location he’s a really good guy. So that means he’d probably be OK here and maybe he’d even get that ring he’s so desperately wanted for so long…
On the other hand, he wouldn’t have had more than about 600 yards had Carson not been constantly trying to force the ball into double coverage to keep him happy. He’d have to understand that everybody here is both a potential WR and a potential decoy on EVERY play, or he’s not worth squat to us. I think he’s smart enough to figure that out. But we’d need to be sure.
I agree on the TE. We’re good enough for now. If we’d had a spare pick to “waste” on another TE in the draft, I wouldn’t have complained. And if we can get another basketball conversion with high upside from the UDFA ranks I’m perfectly willing to take another swing for the fences and see what happens. But we’re not THAT bad as is.
QB2:…Best Option: Kerry Collins.
ROFL so hard I can’t get up.
There are too many other teams out there too desperate for a starting QB. Collins and any other QB worth spitting on if they are on fire is going to be in the mix for a starting job somewhere else. Is Daniel a decent backup? Maybe, maybe not, but either way we’re stuck with him for now. We’ll just have to live with it.
OT:…Best Option: Chester Pitts.
No, best option is for Charlie Brown to come in and turn our 2nd rounder from last year into another home run. But Pitts is probably the second best option.
OLB:…Best Option: LeRoy Hill.
I am in NO way a fan of Peterson. And that’s not just because he’d be coming from the FoulClowns. He’s 35, unless he ran a 4.1 in the combine he just can’t still be fast enough. Nor can Bulluck really, but at least he’s a year younger than Peterson. I still don’t want him. So yeah, we either need to swing for the fences on Hill or pray our new kids get good enough ten times faster than they have any reasonable right to be. Hmm… does our LB coach have a brother?? Maybe Drew can hire him to help out…
SS:…Best Option: Quinton Mikell. He has already stated that he likely won’t be in Philly next year, so he must think he’s going to get a lot of interest on the open market.
No, Mikell thinks he won’t be back because of the way the Eagles treated Dawkins when he got old. Plus the Iggles drafted his replacement this year in Jaiquawn Jarrett. He doesn’t feel like signing a one-year to tutor the new guy, so even if Philly makes him an offer he won’t be too likely to take it.
DT:…Best Option: Aubrayo Franklin.
You want us to bring in this guy AND Shaun Rogers? I guess that isn’t that bad an idea, really… but I don’t think it’s too likely. If it’s even possible at all, I think with Shaun already here he’ll be too low a priority for us to get to him.
There are too many other teams out there too desperate for a starting QB. Collins and any other QB worth spitting on if they are on fire is going to be in the mix for a starting job somewhere else.
Collins isn’t worth spitting on. He came into the league alongside Mark Brunell and has been “backup material” for the last five seasons, to a QB far less talented than Brees, no less. Not saying I want his washed up a**, just that he’s not going to be competing for a starting job in 2011.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Six QBs didn’t go in the first two rounds this draft for nothing. (And one of them went to a team that already has their 2011 starter.) There were at least 10 teams out there that need a (or would at least like to improve on the current) starting QB, and only 3-4 of those rookies are worth starting. Even if all of them (save Gabbert) start, that’s still 5 teams that need a starter.
Bengals, Titans, Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers, Redskins, WhineQueens, Punkthers… and probably one or two more wouldn’t mind an upgrade even if they won’t admit it. Plus many more need a backup as well.
I don’t think Collins is a good QB. I just think the supply is too weak and the demand is too high.
just can't let it go...
This league is QB heavy and right now there is a dearth of talent at the position. To much in the air right now for to many teams. Just be happy you guys are in the have column.
By the way I thought the Saints had the best first day by far of any team in the draft. Congrats no filling two big holes.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Thanks Grimey
What do you think of Ponder? Will he start right away, or is the FO looking for someone like McNabb, or maybe even Alex Smith to come in for a year?
Also, is Sidney Rice coming back, or can we take that slouch off your hands? You guys don’t really need him, right?
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
I’d love to land Rice. More so than any other WR out there, though the Giants’ Steve Smith would rank a close second.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I hope Rice stays, the only problem I have is he's so injury prone
He was injured his first year with us played lights out with an excellent (if old) QB his second year and was injured his third… If he asks for a serious payday I’m not certain that we’ll pay for it.
Hey at least this year your out of the Ray Lewis running.
But yeah I like Rice a lot and I hope we keep him, he’s good opposite of Harvin.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
I think Ponder will have the option to start off the bat
I think Frazier is ready to pick a QB and stick with him. I just worry about him behind our O line. It’s hard to be a rookie QB in this league, much harder to do it when you have 50 year old men in front of you on walkers as your line.
So how do you all feel about your new running back I know a lot of stuff comes up about the guys you have now, do you think Ingram will be the key?
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
I'm hoping for big things from the kid.
Not necessarily in his stats, but in overall improvement of the offense, and team. If he can prove to be a strong, inside runner, it will force defenses to cover the run moreso than they had to last year, which would hopefully help to improve the passing game. Also, with a guy that can carry the load at running back, hopefully we’ll be able to keep our defense off the field longer, and keep them fresh. So, ya, if Ingram can prove to be a relatively injury-free, up-the-gut runner, then he could be the key to another Super Bowl run
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Besides, if he’s not worth spitting on, then he’s not worth using as a backup either. So either way, he’s not an option.
Of course he is. He just has zero potential as a developmental prospect.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I’d much rather the best of both worlds (at least potentially) and there are quite a few players that represent just that. Tyler Thigpen has starting experience and arguably just as much of an NFL future as Chase Daniel at this point. Trent Edwards, Kellen Clemens, Bruce Gradkowski, Caleb Hanie (should get some attention after last year’s playoff game performance), Luke McCown, Troy Smith … those are the sort of guys we need to be looking at.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Not much to work with here. These three are all mainly blocking TEs
Which is exactly what we’re currently lacking. You’re talking too much money for a bit role player, though. I’d rather Jeff King or Dante Rosario, whichever one the Panthers don’t re-sign.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Based on the 2010 rules,
neither of them are available as UFAs. None of the 4th and 5th year players would be
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Even as RFAs, they’d be available if Carolina doesn’t elect to tender them by the TBD deadline. And they won’t tender both, being that they already have Barnidge and Shockey on the roster.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Fair enough.
I was using a list with only UFA’s so I wasn’t going to use any RFAs, too much uncertainty on who will or won’t get tendered.
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
The deadline actually already passed. They deadline was set based on the expiration date of the old CBA, which was also supposed to be the end of the old league year. Even though that got extended for negotiation’s-sake a few times, that didn’t change the deadline that has already passed.
If they were tendered, and if those tenders hold up, they are RFAs. Otherwise they are available as soon as the new year starts.
Looks like they were both tendered as of March 1st. But even if the tenders hold up, they’re not going to carry four on the roster, meaning that the first one to sign his tender would be on board. The remaining would then have his tender withdrawn, making him an UFA. Otherwise, he could just sign it and they’d have to compensate elsewhere in order to reach the 53 man roster limit.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
/deletes drafts of front page storys on Free Agent targets
Canal Street Chronicles-A place of great Saints news and information. Oh and the stuff I write!
Stallworth, Collins, and Brown would be quite funny if we got all 3, all former Saints starters.
and I would not mind T.O. as long as (like in the poll) brings hamburgers along with him, I think we can all drink to that
Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day, with a rifle that shoots potatoes at 60 pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?
i dont think there is anything wrong with our passing game
in fact, i think it will improve due to our new acquisition at rb. i like to and think hes funny, but i dont think he belongs on this team.
"As a Saint fan I watch ‘Gone with the Wind’ just to watch Atlanta burn" -Ralph Malbrough
by DrewBreesManCrush on May 16, 2011 5:44 PM CDT reply actions
I agree that Ingram should help open things up generally speaking, in that opposing front sevens will have to account for the run, but there’s still obvious passing situations that a receiver who demands double team coverage would behoove. Brees’s lack of height results in a higher than average number of passes getting batted down. Quicker, better separation downfield would alleviate some of that. It would also make it easier for the other receivers to shake loose, particularly in the red zone. In theory, you’d be taking the opponents’ best cover corner off Colston/Meachem from jump street. Neither one of those guys do that for the other. That said, Owens doesn’t demand that sort of attention anymore either. A younger version of him would.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
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