If we keep our Offense intact… Can we field a competitive D?

[whodatworm23]

The more I think about the obstacles and decisions our front office faces this offseason the more confused I get trying to understand what their thinking could be. The funny thing is that of all the potential outcomes I have envisioned this offseason, the one I haven’t is likely the one I should have.

Based on the concept that we keep our record setting offense intact, some hard decisions on veterans will have to be made and because of the lack of cap space we’d likely have to rely on youth and unknown prospects on the defensive side of the ball and pray that our new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can mold his young unit into a formable defense.

So to keep this offense intact, this is how I see it happening…
Drew Brees (Extended)
Marcus Colston (Extended)
Carl Nicks (Franchised)
Robert Meachem (Extended)
Devery Henderson (Restructured)
Zach Strief (Restructured)

Now onto the consequences of these offensive signings…
Will Smith (Released)
Jonathan Vilma (Released)
Scott Shanle (Released)
Shaun Rodgers (Not Retained)
Abrayo Franklin (Not Retained)
Tracy Porter (Not Retained)
Turk McBride (Not Retained)

With these moves I doubt we’d have much cap space to be aggressive in the Free Agent market so defensive improvement would have to come from our current draft selections and second tier free Agency but before we get into that, let’s focus on the players we currently have on the roster.

Key defensive players needed to step up their game…

Jabari Greer
Greer more or less just needs to maintain and not regress because his solid coverage on opponent’s top receivers will be needed even more in 2012.

Sedrick Ellis
Time is quickly running out for Big Sed in the Big Easy, it’s time for him to step up and be the force on the interior we all feel he can be or he’ll be somewhere else in 2013.

Malcolm Jenkins
Everyone is expecting Jenkins to excel in Spagnuolo’s scheme and for our sake I hope he does because lord knows were gonna need him to!

Roman Harper
Unlike Jenkins, most are expecting Harper to flounder in our new scheme. Here’s hoping that Harper can prove us all wrong because his on field leadership will be needed in 2012.

Cameron Jordan
In only his second season it seems unfair to put so much pressure on Jordan but that’s the situation he’s in. Jordan will be looked on to make a quantum leap in production under Spags in 2012.

Jo-Lon Dunbar
The purge of defensive veteran contracts finally give Dunbar his shot as the starting middle linebacker in New Orleans and it’s in his team’s best interest that he makes the most of his opportunity.

Jonathan Casillas
We all know that Casillas possesses the talent but if he’s ever going to stay healthy for a full season it better be this one.

Junior Galette
While I do not think Galette will earn a starting defensive role this season, he will see a big increase in playing time under Spagnuolo and will be counted on as our pass rushing specialist. We need him to perform in this area.


Defensive players to be excited about…

Greg Romeus
We all know the story on Romeus; we need this investment to pay off for us big time! My feeling is Romeus and our first selection (59th) in this year’s draft will battle it out for Smith’s old spot on the right side with Romeus with the inside track if healthy.

Tom Johnson
Johnson’s play went largely unnoticed late last season and his ability to pressure the pocket from the interior will earn him a lot more playing time in 2012 under Spags.

Martez Wilson
This is the guy that in my opinion can make the biggest difference for us. Wilson has the ability to be a game changer and my would that be a welcome site to our linebacking corps.

Patrick Robinson
If P-Rob can pick up where he left off late last season we should have a solid #2 corner opposite Jabari Greer. Robinson is widely considered the best athlete in our secondary and his ball skills and run support will be a welcome addition to the starting lineup.

Johnny Patrick
Patrick was a surprise selection in last year’s draft and he’ll have the inside track to the so important Nickel corner position which is pretty much a starter in today’s NFL. Although I see the Saints bringing in a second tier veteran free agent to compete with Patrick, it’s going to be hard to keep his speed and ball skills on the sideline in 2012.


Now onto Free Agency and the Draft…
Of course we all have our own opinions on not only what and who we would bring in but also who we feel the Saints brass will target as well. From this point on it’s really up for debate but after watching how this organization has operated over the last 5 years the following would seem to me a realistic outlook on these next two events.

FREE AGENCY
Like I said previously I just feel that after the offensive investments their just won’t be much money cap wise to peruse any major free agents so the second tier guys will likely have to do. The following are players I can really see Loomis, Payton & Spags bringing in to help improve overall depth on this defensive unit.

Amobi Okoye DT Bears
Okoye was a solid defensive tackle for the Bears last season; he’s a solid run defender and also had 4 sacks to boot. He’s not elite by any means but he’s only 24 years old and fits the athletic front seven defensive player Spags would likely target. Okoye could sign a multiyear contract in Nawlins at a reasonable price and get the starting opportunity he seeks.

Erin Henderson LB Vikings
Henderson posted a solid season in 2011 and proved he’s a starting caliber linebacker in the NFL. The Saints could bring Henderson in to compete with Casillas on the weak side and protect them in case of another injury to the current starter.

Dave Tollefson DE Giants
Tollefson was with Spagnuolo in New York and is a high motor underrated pass rusher hidden on a deep New York defensive line. In Nawlins, Tollefson could have a chance to challenge for the starting right defensive end position and at the worst provide solid depth and scheme experience.

Justin King CB Rams
King would be a cheap veteran replacement for the departing Tracy Porter. He was with Spags and our new secondary coach in St. Louis, he knows the scheme and would be a valuable addition for the price.


NFL DRAFT

2nd Cam Johnson Virginia
Johnson is a very realistic option at 59th overall; he’d provide additional pass rushing to the front seven and challenge Romeus from day one for the starting right defensive end position.

3rd Bobby Massie OT Mississippi
This team always plans ahead when it comes to the offensive line. Charles Brown’s athletic ability makes him a better fit on the left side and is likely looked at as Jermon Bushrods successor in 2013. Massie could have a Carl Nicks type of development in Nawlins. I could easily see Massie starting off behind Strief on the depth chart in 2012 but eventually earning the starting job my mid season and never looking back.

4th Brandon Taylor FS Louisiana State
We all hope Roman Harper excels in Spags scheme but regardless, Spagnuolo utilizes a three deep Safety rotation so adding a young talented versatile safety is a must in this draft. Taylor provides all of that and is a good value here as an underrated prospect.

5th Malik Jackson DE Tennessee
Jackson is a poor man’s Justin Tuck and could be utilized just like the Giants superstar in Nawlins under Spags while serving as Cameron Jordan’s primary backup.

6th Josh Chapman NT Alabama
With their additional 6th round pick they acquired from the Redskins in the Jamal Brown trade the Saints take another injury risk with Chapman. The former Alabama nose tackle will be a selection for the future and won’t be counted on for the 2012 season, similar to the Greg Romeus selection in last year’s draft.

6th Robert Blanton CB Notre Dame
Blanton may be overlooked by most clubs but he fits the big physical press corner that Spagnuolo covets and allows Spags to get creative when matching up against some of the NFL’s larger receivers.

7th Will Blackwell OG Louisiana State
With Nicks and Evans back in the fold for the long-term, Blackwell would be a great value as a flex interior reserve like Matt Tennant.


So, let’s say hypothetically that either this or some similar version of this offseason actually happens and the Saints decide to keep our Offense intact and our defensive depth chart resembles something like the following…

Left End
Cameron Jordan
Malik Jackson
Dave Tollefson

Defensive Tackle
Sedrick Ellis
Amobi Okoye
Tom Johnson
Josh Chapman
Mitch King

Right End
Greg Romeus
Cam Johnson
Junior Galette

Strong Side Linebacker
Martez Wilson
Will Herring

Middle Linebacker
Jo-Lon Dunbar
Ramon Humber

Weak Side Linebacker
Erin Henderson
Jonathan Casillas
Nate Bussy

Corner Back
Jabari Greer
Patrick Robinson
Johnny Patrick
Robert Blanton
Justin King

Safety
Malcolm Jenkins
Roman Harper
Brandon Taylor
Jonathan Amaya
Isa Abdul-Quddus

Now for the million dollar question...

Can we win a championship with this defense?


WHODAT
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk958n5n66o

[FLOODx]

Considering this defense would be an improvement over last year's D, I definitely think we could win a Superbowl with this squad. We really should've won the Superbowl with the defense we had this past season, but I won't get into that. Very realistic offseason, although I don't know much about our first draft selection. I do like the position though. Pass rush is what we need more than anything. Pressure on opposing QBs will make our secondary look 10x better.
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Ramster on the sig
NFL- Saints
NBA- Pelicans/LeBron/Heat
NCAAF- LSU

[SaintsFantic101]

We could have won a superbowl with this d this year. It was more the coach than the players.
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Teams: NFL:New Orleans Saints
NBA:New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers