Pre-Saints Free Agency 2016 Report

As we get to the start of the 2016 NFL free agency season, it's time to take a look at some of the Saints needs as I see them. It should be noted that these are my thoughts and I have no inside information on what the Saints are looking far.

Now every season at this time of year we hear the same story. The Saints are over the salary cap and have no wiggle room to bring in top dollar free agents. Well the Saints actually brought in high-priced free agents the last couple of seasons, S Jairus Byrd being one,  CB Brandon Browner being another. To this point neither have lived up to their contracts. In fact, Brown was released after only one season.

 

So let's dive in.

First on my list is a defensive lineman, preferably a defensive tackle. The middle of the line is where all great defenses start. If the middle is weak, the whole defense suffers. The Saints have some young talent there, but nothing to write home about.

 

My choice:

Malik Jackson DE/DT Denver Broncos. 26. He can play inside or outside on the defensive line and is coming off a Super Bowl championship. The Broncos had to shell out big money to keep DE/DT Derek Wolf(4 years $36 million) and put the franchise tag on Von Miller. They cannot afford to keep Jackson. He would start right away and have an immediate impact on the Saints DL.

Next a playmaker at linebacker. Last season the Saints tried many exotic blitzes, schemes and alignments. They just were not able to generate a consistent pass rush from the edge LBers.There are some promising second year men from last season, Hau'oli Kikaha is one, Davis Tull who spent the season on injured reserve, is another. However more are needed.

 

My choice:

Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Detroit Lions. 27. Whitehead was inserted as a starting linebacker midway through the season and that's when the Lions defense started to play better. He's solid in coverage and run defense. His pass coverage skills could free up Kikaha to rush the passer exclusively.

Next, a guard. The Saints have never replaced Carl Nicks. Jhari Evans got old quick. The Saints have settled for undrafted free-agents, late round draft picks and overpaid free agents. None have worked with any consistency. All stop gap measures. They must find a guard to protect Drew Brees. It is essential that Brees gets protected up the middle so he is allowed to step up into the pocket, which is his comfort zone. Drew Brees with a good interior offensive line can play another four seasons, no problem. But he must have solid protection.

 

My choice:

Mike Harris, G, Minnesota Vikings. 27. Harris had a few starts at tackle for the Vikings but excelled when they move him inside to play guard. Playing next to C Max Unger would improve his game even further.

A solid pass receiving tightend would be next on my list. The Saints lost a tremendous play maker in Jimmy Graham when he was traded to the Seahawks. The locker room may be more content since his departure, but the production on the field has declined, and worse, there's no threat to the defense. Fan favorite Benjamin Watson has done a yeoman's job but is in his mid-30s, his time is short. He needs help. Josh Hill turned out not to be the answer. He is an average TE at best, ok receiving, below average blocking.

 

My choice:

Ladarius Green TE San Diego Chargers. 26. Green has been playing behind future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates since arriving into the NFL. The gifted athlete could be another Joe Horn type signing where the player is looking for an opportunity to step out of someone else's shadow and become a star.

And always always always, the Saints can use another playmaking WR. I just don't trust Brandon Coleman to be Marques Colston's heir apparent. Although similar in size, pass catching ability is not even close. Marques Colston, though he had a few drops throughout his career, is night and day, head and shoulders above Brandon Coleman, who has to work on improving his pass catching ability. Fact is, Colston can not be replaced right away. He was that once in a generation late round steal teams dream of landing. It will have to be done by committee.

 

My choices:

1.Marvin Jones WR, Cincinnati Bengals 26. Jones has improved each year. he had 65 catches for 815 yards in 2015.

2.Travis Benjamin WR Cleveland Browns 26.  Speed receiver that blossomed and proved he's more than just a deep threat in 2015.

Stay tuned, Saints fans. should be fun. Free agency season is always alive and active. It leads up to the draft in April. In the weeks leading up to the draft I'll be writing about the Saints needs and potential players they could land. I do my mock draft one week before the NFL draft. I only do one mock draft per season but I've done pretty well, so we'll see how it goes.

A Coach's Ego, the Deadliest of Sins

Well, I'm back. Since I took to tweeting during games, I assumed it was unnecessary to continue submitting blogs. Well after LSU's no-show against Alabama, what I have to say can't be said in 140 characters. Also, a friend suggested that I could do both. What a concept.

I get asked all the time, why does Les Miles refuse to change his approach?

While most would say his approach is successful. They point to his record, his players getting drafted and a BSC title. My usual response is that while he's a good man and a good coach, he lacks the skills to be an elite coach. He's unable to change his approach in times of crisis and also adjust to the modern game and athlete. That's why you see his teams have to fight and claw to beat teams of inferior talent. See EMU and WKU. See dominating Miss St and Florida only to hang on for dear life to the very end. For the most part, though, his teams do beat the teams they should beat.

As for the LSU-Bama game. Or lack thereof. Even when LSU was successful trying other things. Like play-action and going over the top, twice successful. Or read-option but reading the DT instead of the DE. Again, successful. Miles didn't stick with it. As if refusing to acknowledge not doing it his way works. Even as Alabama safeties were selling out to the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball to get to Leonard Fournettte, Miles refused to change.

I would say that Nick Saban is in Les Miles head, but I'm not convinced there's a head there to get inside. No, this isn't a cheap shot(maybe it its) but rather a statement on the ego of a man named Leslie Miles.

Yes, I said ego. How else can you explain the least self analytical coach I've seen in my lifetime. Example. After two series against Bama, it was painfully obvious to the most basic observer that lining up in the I formation and pounding Fournette against their wall of granite wasn't going to work. It was also obvious that Saban knew exactly what LSU was going to do. But the Miles ego prevented him from changing his approach. As if doing so was an admission of weakness.

That's all ego. 100% pride.0% self analytical.

Now take Saban. Considered by many, the most egotistical coach in college football. He also believed in an I formation type approach. But what does he do? He constantly evolves.

In 2011 he loses to LSU in the famous 9-6 game because the Tigers used QB Jordan Jefferson's mobility to get to the edge just enough times to move the chains, possess the ball and control the clock. Saban analyzed himself, changed his approach and went out and dominated LSU in the 21-0 rematch, you remember, the BCS Championship game.

What did Miles do? He assumed all was well, what they did worked the first time and it will work again.

All ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.

Saban hasn't lost to Les Miles since. That's five straight and 7-3 overall. He also added another BCS championship. That makes 4-1 Saban. 5-0 if you count Miles' '07 team built by Saban.

In 2012 Saban starts losing to zone read, spread option, hurry-up no-huddle teams like Oklahoma or Auburn. So he changes his approach again. He starts recruiting leaner, quicker defensive lineman with better stamina. He brings in an offensive coordinator to adopt some of the principles that are beating him. Low and behold, an admission of a weakness!

That's non-ego. 100%  self analytical.

But for one season, Miles has had problems at quarterback. He keeps recruiting zone read, spread option QBs to play in his I formation, pro style offense. This takes at least one season to forget old mechanics and learn new ones. One season to play in games to gain practical experience. Then hopefully, by the third season, be ready to emerge as a viable SEC QB. That's if you get the right guy. If you don't, you're set back three seasons. See Jordan Jefferson and Anthony Jennings.

That's all ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.

Saban? He starts by recruiting QB's that fit his system. Uses the seniority approach. Wilson passes the torch McElroy who passes it to McCarron who passes it to Sims. All with success. But what about when those system QBs are not available? Saban goes the graduate with eligibility route. Brings him along and by season's end, he's playing championship ball within the system. In other words, Saban admits a weakness and adjusts his approach.

That's non-ego. 100% self analytical.

Miles? He had apportunities to go the graduate eligible route. One such opportunity was before the 2011 season. A QB graduated from NC State. Had a year of eligibility left. He was looking to play for a team with championship credentials. He gave Les Miles a call. Miles said thank you, but we're fine at QB. So that QB went to U of Wisconsin. In his one and only season, he lead them to the Big Ten Championship. Was named MVP of that championship game.

That QB? Future Super Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson. Miles, in effect, told him "no thanks, we have Jordan Jefferson".

That's all ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.

Rest assured, if you're a Les Miles true believer, your life will be fine until he rides into the sunset. He'll continue to get those eight, nine or ten win seasons and win some more Chick-fil-A bowls.

But if you're like me, and believe LSU can do even better. You know that won't happen under Miles. He'll continue to lose to Saban and blow at least one other winnable game per season. He'll continue to make easy games close and turn big leads into nail biters. He'll keep recruiting those square peg QBs for the round hole position.

And on 3rd and two? We all know what's coming next.

All ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.

Escape From Starkville

We've seen this movie before, We all know how it ends. LSU has a lead in the fourth quarter. The opposing teams' QB, who's been held in check all night, suddenly finds new life and leads his team on a surge for a comeback. It doesn't matter who the QB is, a fifth year senior or a true freshmen.

How do we know how it ends?

Because we know the director. Leslie Edwin Miles. He is the Hal Needham of football.

Needham, in case you don't remember, is the stuntman turned director who did Smokey and the Bandit. One of the greatest comedies of all time. Scored 81 on rottentomatoes.com. Then Needham did Smoky 2, Cannonball Run, and Cannonball 2. Successful box office all, but left their audience with the unsatisfied feeling they've seen this before. Combined they did not add up to 81 on rottentomatoes.

See where I'm going, folks?

I know I sound like one of those damn LSU fans who's never satisfied, but once, just once can we see how it would be if Leslie W. changed his script??

I'm not even saying stop running the ball to protect a lead. I'm just asking to run a different play!!

Take the MSU game for example. A game, in all fairness, should have been over by halftime if not for penalties. LSU stopped throwing and began running virtually the same play at the beginning of the 3rd quarter! I mean,come on!! No defense, I don't care who the coordinator is, can hold up to the pressure of stopping anybody if they're on the field 90% of the time. They are going to wear out.

Kevin Steele's gameplan worked for 3 1/2 quarters, but after being on the field so much, they wore down. He tried to apply pressure but his linemen were out of gas. His db's had good coverage but had no energy to make a play.

It doesn't help that Leslie is more conservative then Sarah Palin on steroids. Steele must go prevent to protect. Leaving underneath open to give up yards for clock. That's great strategy if you're up more than two scores. But in today's game with today's offenses, teams can march down the field with plenty enough time left on the clock.

LSU D-coordinators under Miles continues to use it. Bo Pellinin did it, John Chavis did it too. Now it looks like Kevin Steele will as well.

Chavis must feel like he died and went to heaven. No longer does he have to send his defense out on the field time after time after time to bail out his boss. Protect a two point fourth quarter lead because Miles has sent his offense to the locker room. He now has the luxury of dialing up any 4th quarter defense he chooses. He knows his head coach won't leave him hanging. He didn't walk, he sprinted to A&M.

Why?

Check out their director.

My One and Only Saints 2015 Mock Draft

Here's my Saints mock for 2015. Keep in mind this isn't a prediction of who I think Saints will pick, rather who I think the Saints should pick. Last season, no one on my list was picked by the Saints, but, all were picked by one team or another and all earned a spot on their team's opening day final 53 including: one starter, Xavier Su'a-Filo(Houston,my #1) three regulars, Donte Moncrief(Colts), Pierre Desir(Browns) and Jerick McKinnon(Vikings), and three special teamers.

If your keeping score, that's me 7, Saints 4(and that includes Stanley Jean-Batiste and Khairi Fortt, I mean, really...)To be fair, the Saints had no 3rd round pick as they gave it up to move up in round one for Brandon Cooks.

This season the Saints cannot afford for me to best them again. Hey, I go to one sight, view the list of players, look at their videos and pick. The Saints have a team of scouts attending games, looking at miles of video tape, doing background checks, interviews, attending pro days, combines, bringing in players for visits and having meeting after meeting after meeting.

Then they go to Las Vegas the weekend before the draft. Just saying.

Here I go. My only rule. No trades.

Round 1. Pick #13: La'ell Collins OT, LSU 6'4" 305lbs. Collins is my pick now and has always been at 13, he moves to guard and stays there for 10+ seasons. He brings a road grinders mentality with a tackle's athleticism. Mean, tough, versatile and strong. Collins dominated SEC defensive lineman the last two seasons at left tackle. Insert him at left guard between to pro bowl center Max Unger and rising star Terron Armstead and watch the offense soar again. He can also bounce outside to play tackle if needed.

Round 1. Pick #31: Dorial Green-Beckham  WR, Oklahoma 6'5" 237lbs 4.5. I know what you're saying. "Defense! The Saints need defense!" I just don't see the value at 13 and 31 for going defense. Green is a huge target at WR. Sean Payton loves huge targets at WR. Drew Brees loves huge targets at WR. One coach at OU stated that DGB was held out of some practices because he was embarrassing the DBs too much. With size comparable to Jimmy Graham and more speed, he is what Graham could only claim to be. A legit wide receiver. Admittedly, this is a bit of a gamble. Green has baggage. But he is a top ten talent sitting there at 31. Somebody is picking him. I'll take a shot.

Round 2. Pick #44: Bernardrick McKinney ILB, Mississippi State 6'4" 254lbs. 4.5 Instinctive, versatile, hard hitting, sure tackling and big LB with speed. Can rush off the edge in passing situations. Athletic with a 34" vertical leap. With Akiem Hicks in a contract year and John Jenkins 100% healthy, those two look to have rebound seasons in '15. McKinney will have the freedom to read the gaps, take on and shed blockers, roam laterally to make plays and use his speed to close in on ball barriers. Line him up on the same side as Cam Jordan on passing downs and make the opposing OL choose who to block. A RB won't be able to block him with a head of steam. First round talent.

Round 3. Pick #75 Trey Flowers DE,  Arkansas 6'2" 266lbs. Love this kid. Some guys are just ballers. Flowers is one of them. He may not possess ideal size for a DE but has long arms and strength gives him the ability to grab ball carriers and get them to the ground. His elite quickness allows him to close on the QB in a hurry. His good balance prevents him from being juked by mobile QBs. Doesn't over commit and lose contain. Can flat beat out Junior Galette if given a fair chance. However, if Galette and Cam Jordan rebound from subpar years, Flowers will flourish in the DLine rotation. But, do not sell Flowers short. He is determined to become an NFL starter and has the skills to do it. His rookie season will prepare him to take over the starting DE spot.

Round 3. Pick #78 Jaquiski Tartt SS, Samford 6'1" 221lbs 4.5. Intense. High Energy. Hard hitting safety with a nose for the ball and a punishing tackler. Can locate and close on the ball in flight. Explodes on receiver as ball arrives, jarring it loose. Played basketball in high school then switched to football as a senior. That;s why he wasn't recruited by the big schools. Will become Rob Ryan's favorite player and Saints fans will love him. Compares favorably to Sammy Knight, but faster. While Kenny Vaccarro continues to look for someone to lead him, Tartt's natural leadership skills will prove invaluable in the locker room. A third round steal.

Round 5. Pick# 148 Lorenzo Doss CB, Tulane 5'10" 182lbs 4.47. Payton turns to his friend and former pupil for the ball hawking interception machine from Willow Street. The former high school WR possesses great ball skills and is a playmaker. Though smaller in stature to the NFL's larger WR, Doss could step into the 3rd CB spot immediately to guard slot receivers. Has a reputation of being a tough, hard working football player willing to  play hurt and through pain. The Saints could definitely use someone like that.

Round 5. Pick #154 Lynden Trail DE, Norfolk St. 6'7" 270. Intriguing, talented and fluid athlete. The former wide receiver played gunner on punt team. Played deep safety in Hail Mary situations. Played some TE in goal line situations and at Senior Bowl. Displayed good, soft hands. Excels in pass rushing. Long arms and strong hands reach the QB as he carries O-linemen with him. Gets lost in the crowd in the run game. Will excel on 3rd down passing situations and at 6'7" will make a good field goal middle rusher.

Round 6. Pick #186 Darren Waller WR, Georgia Tech 6'6" 240lbs. 4.47 Another big WR. Waller played in the wishbone type offense running the triple option 90% of the time at Tech, therefore he is a solid blocker. After the failure of Stephen Hill which came after the success of Calvin Johnson, scouts have soured on Georgia Tech WRs. Waller's stock suffered because of this. Though not a polished route runner, his size and speed combination make him to hard to pass up at #186. Plus, he will learn route running under Brees, Payton and new WR coach John Morton's tutelage. Morton recently helped San Francisco's Anquan Bolden reach 1000 yards receiving in each the 2013 and 2014 seasons. His first since 2009.

Round 7. Pick #230 Jarmarcus "J.J." Nelson WR UAB 5'10" 160lbs 4.28 Speed speed speed, Meet Michael Lewis the 2nd. Nelson may never be a big time WR but his return skills are off the charts. JJ returned four kickoffs for touchdowns for the Blazers. He will bring the return game back to it's glorious past of the Lewis and Mel Grey eras. I can just hear the thundering chant from the dome crowd, "JJ...JJ...JJ!!!" as he lines up to return a kick.

So those are my picks and I'm sticking with them.

Enjoy the draft!

Graham Trade Signals Possible Paradigm Shift for Saints O

When last we saw each other, the first item on my Saints wish list for 2015 was a nasty OG to sure up the offensive line. One to help protect drew Brees up the middle and two to further enhance the running game which showed potential in the second half of 2014.

Well, the Saints went one better. They traded for Seattle All-Pro center Max Unger and a #1 draft pick in exchange for All-pro TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th rd draft pick.

Yes, the Saints got nasty on the O-line today. Unger is a no-nonsense, tough as nails leader who, at center who will upgrade the play of the entire unit. He is the type of gritty player the Saints have sorely lacked as of late.

Unfortunately, to get something you must give up something.

While Jimmy Graham will be missed as a receiving TE, his lack of blocking skills have made him expendable. Word is he's also become a bit of a diva since signing the big contract. As the Saints begin a paradigm shift in their offensive philosophy, a blocking TE will be needed more than a receiving TE.

Personally, I will miss pre-contract Jimmy Graham. He provided more highlights than can be counted. He was a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. When the Saints needed a big play, Brees to Graham was among the most feared combinations in the NFL.

But in games that mattered most, Graham disappeared. He was exposed as being weak minded and surprisingly shut downable when matched up with a CB with size(Patriots' Aqib Talib) or a safety with speed(Ravens' Will Hill) or any defense named the Seahawks.

Back to Unger. This deal, to me, signals a shift in the Saints offensive philosophy. With the re-signing of Mark Ingram, continued development of Khiry Robinson and the farewell to Pierre Thomas, it appears Sean Payton has concluded that power is better than finesse. Look for the Saints to emphasize the power running game more in 2015.

Why the shift?

1. To protect the franchise. Even at 36, Drew Brees still drives the car. A better running game will keep the heat up the middle off him.

2. To protect the defense. A power running game keeps the clock running, the opponents offense off the field and best yet, keeps YOUR crappy defense off the field.

Whether Payton displays the discipline needed to stick with the running game remains to be seen. But it appears he's willing to give it try.

So a big welcome for Max Unger, a much needed force on the offensive line.

As for Saints fans mourning the loss of yet another Saints great moving on to another team, don't forget, the Saints won a Super Bowl before any of us ever heard of Jimmy Graham.

Losing the Win

Good news! Saints win their season finale!

Bad news. Saints win their season finale.

A season ending victory closes the year on a positive note. Players, coaches and fans can now look forward to next season without that lasting gut wrenching feeling a loss hits you with. A feeling which can only be tamed by the thought of an upcoming game and a chance at redemption. Winning the finale provides redemption, however so remotely, needed to carry you through the off season. After all, after today, the only team that will taste victory in their season finale will be the Super Bowl champion.

At least it's better than losing the season finale.

Or is it? .

It was once said that when you win, you never examine it as much. But a loss invites reflection and reformulating and a change of strategy. It hurts and bleeds. It follows you home and taunts you at the breakfast table.

I think this team could use an off season of taunting at the breakfast table. They need that nagging burn inside. They need to be pissed.  They need to be reminded of how poorly they played.

Winning today will deny them of that. They couldn't handle victory for a week. How are they going to handle it for eight months?

So now we turn to 2015. Coaching changes, salary cap issues, player personnel decisions will be addressed in the coming months. Free agency, the draft, will all be discussed.

Personally, I would like to see a nasty mean guard added to shore up the middle of the OLine. A talented pass rusher is always welcome. A playmaker in the secondary and a game changer at WR would also help.

One more important thing. Add smart, mature players. But with the influx of underclassmen coming in, that feat will be harder to accomplish. Most of these guys are more Johnny Football than Russell Wilson.

Which takes us to what to do about Drew. Some would suggest drafting a young QB to groom as Brees's successor. I say cross that bridge when you get to it. In forty plus years of watching the NFL I've seen "grooming the heir apparent " work three times. Danny White for Roger Staubach. Steve Young for Joe Montana and Aaron Rodgers for Brett Favre. Otherwise you have to ride out the QB you have hoping to get more good than bad from him and let the team pick up the rest.

Then you take the Colts route. The Colts have had three quarterback legends in my time. All three were eventually replaced by at least an equal if not a superior QB. None had the legend as their mentor. Johnny Unitas was gone when Bert Jones was drafted. Jones was gone long before Peyton Manning was drafted. Manning was gone when Andrew Luck became the first pick in the draft. If you're smart and have good scouts, when the time comes, that QB will be there.

So I'll just pass on drafting Brees's future replacement.

To sum up 2014. The Saints had a four game road winning streak concurrent with a five game home losing streak. If that don't some up 2014, nothing does. Good bye, Good riddance!

2015 can't get hear fast enough!

Surviving 4th and Ten

Four weeks ago the Saints were 4-4 and a 4th and ten stop from going 5-4 on three straight wins and gain a stranglehold on the NFC South. The dome was deafening. A stop here then two more home games and this division is ours!

All Who Dats know what happened next.

Clad in red, Colin Kaepernick struck the Saints defense like von Richtofen suddenly firing on a Niueport, causing the stunned crew into a nose dive. A dive which gained momentum as two more ugly defeats seemed to crash and burn the 2014 season.

Then out of nowhere, Pittsburg. WTF was that!?

That was a peek into what the '14 Saints were supposed to be. Complimentary football consisting of an offense so productive they force opponents into turnovers as they race to keep up. A defense with a pass rush capable of facilitating those turnovers with no fear of opponent's run game and focusing solely on getting to the overly stressed and anxiety bitten QB. A secondary in position to make drive killing and field position plays, providing Payton and Brees short trips to the end zone. Opponents finished by the 4th qtr. either desperately hoping for a miracle or giving up to fight another day.

However '14 is a version of the old cliché. You are what your record says you are. And the Saints are a 5-7. Optimist would say a play here or there and they're 8-4 maybe 9-3 if they play Cincinnati with their heads right. Others would say 3-9 or 2-10 is but a dropped pass or missed fg away.

But here's the thing.The Saints are leaders of their division. Most times 5-7 makes you start planning for next season. But the Saints are legit favorites to win the division and host a playoff game or two. Amazing.

The Saints have been granted a do over by the football Gods.

This Sunday we will see if they can take advantage. Free falling Carolina, losers of eight straight, comes to the dome with just enough left in the tank to rip the hearts out of the Saints and who dats everywhere.

To do it, though, the Saints must once again overcome their biggest 2014 obstacle.

Themselves.