Saints Sign Mike McGlynn

The Saints completed what was basically an elaborate guard swap with the Kansas City Chiefs today by signing free agent Mike McGlynn, having already sent Ben Grubbs to KC in exchange for the pick that became Tyeler Davison.  McGlynn started 13 games for the Chiefs last year, his third straight season of starting at least that many games.  The Saints cut established whipping boy/yo-yo/punching bag Andy Tanner to make room on the roster.

In total, the 30-year-old McGlynn has played 7 years in the NFL since being drafted in the 4th round by the Eagles out of Pittsburgh, accumulating 61 total starts and 71 total games for Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Washington, and, most recently, the Chiefs.  Certainly adding an established starter and veteran is a step in the right direction for an offensive line still taking shape, and it shouldn't be easy for anyone to run through or around someone who's 6'4" and 325 pounds.

Except here's the thing:  Pro Football Focus rated McGlynn as the 78th best guard in the league, out of 78 qualifying guards, receiving a rating of -32.6 for his performance that was noted for "giving up so much pressure" and "losing one-on-ones."

Pro Football Focus isn't the end-all, be-all of talent evaluation in the pros and the Saints seem not to consider it all that important a source, as they seem intent on replacing Zach Strief, the player they defined as the second best right tackle in the game a year ago.  McGlynn will get his shot in camp to show he's not as godawful as the experts think he is and he could certainly represent decent depth, but for the time being it doesn't appear this transaction will do much to alter the depth chart for the O-Line in New Orleans.