In the wake of the worst NFL defensive performance in the history of mankind, one wouldn't be surprised if a message appeared in the NFL personals. "Deparately seeking defense. Meet me at Saints Drive. Keep the faith. Love, Sean"
When Saints HC Sean Payton returned from his year long abeyance, he wanted to send a message. In less time than it took Doug Thorton to get the Super Bowl relit, he fired DC Steve Spagnuolo and DB coach Ken Fajole. If this didn't get the attention of the remaining defensive impersonators, Payton hired NFL mercenary Rob Ryan to take over.
Next message, the axe. First on the list, DT Sedrick Ellis. The underwhelming top ten draft pick was told he was not in Payton's plans. Ellis joins other Saints first round DL disasters such as Jonathon Sulllivan and Shawn Knight. To be fair, Ellis had his chance. The Saints brought in DT after DT to compliment him to no avail. Also released, CB Johnny Patrick. When the former third round pick from Louisville wasn't getting iced in the tub, he was getting burned on the field. Validating Payton's move on Patrick was San Diego scooping him up within a week. The Chargers are the NFL's Nicki Minaj at judging talent. "I tink you awe awlreddy a soopastawr", said Minaj to a jerseylicious, tone-deaf, cross-dressing American Idol wantabe. Also, safeties Dawan Landry(JAX) and Adrian Wilson(ARZ) are now available free agents, safeties who play well against the run and pass(imagine that). Roman Harper may want to start thinking about his second career.
Message three, "you didn't earn that". Broderick Bunkley, David Hawthorne and Curtis Loften have already agreed to new terms of their contracts. Surely Will Smith and Jon Vilma will be next. In fact, anyone not named Cameron Jordan should be holding off plans to build that new house.
If there was ever a season the Saints have to make a splash in free agency, this is it. With the offense still hummimg, the Saints, it would seem, should be an attractive destination. Good luck with that. Most of the impact UFA's have been franchised. The Saints will have to reach for proven veterans on their way out or younger overshadowed veterans on their way up. That formula worked in 2009 when Darren Sharper worked his magic. Not so much in 2012 when David Hawthorne was injured most of the year. DL's John Abraham(ATL) and Jason Jones(SEA), LB's James Harrison(PIT) and Paul Kruger(BAL) and DB's Sean Smith(MIA),Wilson and Landry are names to watch.
Finally, help must arrive via the draft. With only five picks, the Saints have to be better on draft weekend then they have been recently. Luckily, at the fifteenth position, impact palyers are projected to be there for the taking. Mock drafts have either one or all of the following, LB's Barkivious Mingo(LSU) or Jarvis Jones(UGA), and DT Star Lotulelei(Utah) available at fifteen. All are physically talented but have queston marks with Jones' spinal stenosous the most concern. Some scouts feel there's value in the late first round so trading down and picking up a second round pick is also a possibility.
Now other NFL teams are on the move, San Francisco and Seattle are legit. The Vikings and Rams look to be on the cusp. Carolina owned the Saints last season while the Falcons had the best record in football. With an offense so good the Saints won seven games despite having the worst NFL defense ever. By comparison, in 1980 the defense was horrid, not the worst ever, but awful. That team won only one game. This puts the Saints in a precarious position. That proverbial window wil not be open long. That's why Payton is seeking defense. Desperately.
