Top Needs: DE, OL, DB
The Saints' off-season has been...well...ummm...let's just say it's been one to forget. Amidst the bounty scandal, suspensions, and penalties; the Saints also had to give up their second round pick in this year draft along with next year's first round pick. Their first round pick was traded away last year for Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram so now they find themselves picking int the third round at slot 89.
Since Spagnuolo
was hired as the Defensive Coordinator the emphasis has been put on transforming a lack- luster defense into a fast and versatile QB destroyer (#NoBounty) so looking at a pass rushing DE seems to be the logical pick here. West Virginia Bruce Irvin could be a possibility but A LOT of teams would have to passon him and that is highly unlikely. Another Defensive End that could fall is Vinny Curry out of Marshall. He has the size and athleticism that would fit perfectly into Spags system.
Besides all of the Bounty scandal stories coming from 'Met-tree"; the next biggest stories would be the lost of All-Pro guard Carl Nicks and Super Bowl hero Tracy Porter. The Saints did a pretty good job of snatching up Ben Grubbs, another Pro Bowl caliber Guard, to fill that void but grabbing a developmental OL would all so make plenty of sense. Colorado's Guard Ryan Miller and Arizona State Garth Gerhart are two studs to look out for.
Defensive Back is a tricky position this year. There is a sudden drop off in "known" talent after to the top five or six DBs are drafted but film and combine performance will raise some stocks. With the known success of the Saints' finding gems from all around I like Trumaine Johnson from Montana. He doesn't fit the mold Spags usually go for (6'3 204) but he has long arms and enough strength to keep a wide receiver busy off the line. Another DB that has grabbed some attention is Iowa State's Leonard Johnson. He may not have all of the measurables of some DBs but he showed up and competed in big games for the cyclones this year. His 4.5 speed will most likely land him on special teams or at the fourth corner back position.
Defensive Back is a tricky position this year. There is a sudden drop off in "known" talent after to the top five or six DBs are drafted but film and combine performance will raise some stocks. With the known success of the Saints' finding gems from all around I like Trumaine Johnson from Montana. He doesn't fit the mold Spags usually go for (6'3 204) but he has long arms and enough strength to keep a wide receiver busy off the line. Another DB that has grabbed some attention is Iowa State's Leonard Johnson. He may not have all of the measurables of some DBs but he showed up and competed in big games for the cyclones this year. His 4.5 speed will most likely land him on special teams or at the fourth corner back position.
The Stretch - I think we can all agree that predicting any of the above mentioned prospects is a stretch with the 89th pick :\ .
My Spill - Pass rusher, need I say more Who Dats? Last year proved that when you have zero pressure on the QB it's gonna be a lonnnnnng game. Will Smith has lost a step and Cam Jordan is great against the run but his pass rushing skills have to get better. Compared to the D-line of the 2007 Giants we look like tree stumps. In order to really see Spags work his magic we must start with the front 4.
I would swap Will Smith for Osi....we've already seen what Will can/can't do, I think its time to give someone else a shot. He has become ridiculously boring :(
ReplyDeleteI would too in a heart beat! One thing we haven't had this era is a dominate push rusher; one that other team HAVE to gameplan for. Osi would be a great fit espcially with his unhappiness in NYC.
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