With things being slow, at least for now, I reached out to you and you were kind enough to set us up for some really good topics and discussion. Let’s dive right in:
@SaintsNationBlg What would make you more comfortable at OG week 1: Grubbs+Evans, two rookies, or Evans/Grubbs + rookie.
— Ryan Berger (@BoatRich) February 27, 2015
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@SaintsNationBlg Keep in mind that there is a 300% chance (Imo) we draft/start a rookie center. No way it’s Goodwin, can’t see Lelito. — Ryan Berger (@BoatRich) February 27, 2015
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Good questions Ryan. I didn’t think Grubbs and Evans were bad last year. At times, I thought they were quite good. I just think they didn’t live up to Pro Bowl expectations. Are they capable of starting week 1 and doing a solid job? Of course. Can the Saints find a rookie and/or vet that’s going to be better given their cap status? I don’t think so. Even if they go La’El Collins or Scherff at 13 at start either player at guard, they’re not going to be better than the Grubbs/Evans tandem right away. So ideal scenario is Evans/Grubbs + rookie, but that only works if the returning vets come back at a more palatable price/cap figure. Lastly, I’m not sure Goodwin doesn’t come back to compete in camp. If he comes back it would be for the minimum. Cheap experienced labor is hard to beat, especially if you lose Grubbs or Evans. Just a thought. I agree that I am not sure I see Lelito being the guy. Either way there’s no chance he’ll be handed the center job without stiff competition.
@SaintsNationBlg OK. What do you feel could be the biggest stumbling block for the Saints this offseason in rebuilding the roster?
— Alfredo (@NOLA_Fredo) February 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI think the average blogger and/or beat writer would say the Saints cap status and that would have merit. But thinking outside the box I think the biggest obstacle is identifying which aging players can’t cut it anymore and parting ways with the right guys. There’s a lot of older guy on the roster that are declining. Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, maybe Pierre Thomas, David Hawthorne, Marques Colston, Brodrick Bunkley… I know you know all the guys. I think it’s hard to separate history, especially the guys from the Super Bowl team, and current production. Cutting PT, Evans or Colston would be really sad and hard. It might be necessary, though. Loomis has shown he can still create money to land talent in free agency, even with a tight cap situation. So I’m less worried about how Loomis will find a way to create space and more worried about what he does to create it. Which of these guys I just listed are most likely to have a good 2015? Would Colston drop a ton of passes again or can he see an uptick in production? Good foresight is a hard thing to have, but it’s critical if they’re going to have success next year. If Evans gets cut and he’s garbage next season, then I’ll be glad Loomis did it. If we have another Sproles situation… not good.
@saintsnationblg Who would you rather have, Hartline or Douglas? — Joe Valenti (@joevalenti) February 27, 2015
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Right now I feel ok about the receiving core with Colston, Cooks, Stills and Toon (assuming Colston returns). I don’t think we need either player. But since you’re asking, we’re talking about a guy that has explosive speed but inconsistent hands (Douglas) or a good route runner with good hands (Hartline). Between the two, give me field stretcher, so I say Douglas.
@SaintsNationBlg Grubbs gone and Evans accepts a paycut, or Grubbs stays and Evans gone???
— Chad L. (@cajuncommando58) February 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAre they mutually exclusive? My preference is to keep Evans but that might be my heart talking and not my head. As stated above I’d like to find a way for both to stay at a cheaper price.
@SaintsNationBlg Cornerback addressed in FA or Draft? — Chad L. (@cajuncommando58) February 27, 2015
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Definitely both. The Saints need to add as much talent and competition at this position as possible. In fact, they’ve already added a guy in free agency with Delvin Breaux. I think they’ll sign another vet, though, and possibly draft a guy high. Hopefully Stanley Jean-Baptiste turns a corner, though.
@SaintsNationBlg Biggest 1st round need. Defense or protect @drewbrees
— Chad L. (@cajuncommando58) February 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe Saints were #1 in offense last year and 31st in defense. Protecting Brees is critical, but the 1st pick HAS to be defense.
@SaintsNationBlg Lelito the Center in 2015 or we grab someone in FA or draft. — Chad L. (@cajuncommando58) February 27, 2015
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I’ve never been super high on Lelito. I thought he was a lot better this year but still not good enough to be a starter. I’m hoping it’s someone else.
@SaintsNationBlg any chance the saints sign reggie?
— Tyler (@t_hirth) February 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsDepends on his asking price. At a really low salary, maybe. But I just think that ship has sailed and that relationship has kind of run its course. Reggie has had maturity issues and he’s not the smartest guy. I mean that from both a social aspect and a football IQ perspective. Many times Brees and Payton were visibly frustrated with his lack of sharpness on audibles. I’m not going to shut the door on it, but I think the likelihood is very low.
@SaintsNationBlg if you had to trade one of the Saints key guys… who would it be? and what would be the minimum you would take? — supersaiyansaint (@kirus16) February 27, 2015
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I know you’re hoping I’ll say Jimmy Graham, right? If I’m thinking about who would yield the highest return, it’s Brees, Cam Jordan and Graham. Those are our superstar players. Maybe Jairus Byrd, Vaccaro and Galette if they bounce back, but right not their stock isn’t too high. If I have to trade one, I guess I’d go with Jordan. We can’t afford to lose Graham or Brees and stay competitive without them. The Saints could survive losing Jordan – maybe. I would want a 1st round pick back for him.
@SaintsNationBlg you can sign one saint player from any era in their prime… who is it?
— supersaiyansaint (@kirus16) February 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWillie Roaf would be nice but this team’s problem is defense right now. For me it’s Rickey Jackson and it’s not close.
@SaintsNationBlg Did Heath Shuler really lead the Saints to a victory over a Bears team led by Rick Mirer? Are you sad you remember that?
— Failureville (@Failureville) February 28, 2015
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I do remember that game pretty well actually. That bomb to Randall Hill at the end to win the game was ridiculous. I remember it was either a Sunday night or a Monday night game and the Saints were awful the entire game but somehow stayed close enough and then boom, Shuler to Hill under two minutes left, Saints win by 3. As I told you on twitter any Ditka era win was a borderline miracle, especially on the road, so I cherish those memories. Of all Chicago losses to the Saints that has to qualify as the most embarrassing. High five!
From Facebook:
Mateus João Feldhaus Could SP be in hot seats after another 7-9/6-10 season?
I don’t think so. Of course it depends on how things play out and how he would manage another horrible season like that, but Payton has more good will with his owner than any coach in the league. I’m pretty confident he would survive another bad season.
Charlie Bailey Likliest Offensive Line depth chart, so starting 5 plus backups for opening day 2015.
Man that is TOUGH! Terron Armstead – A. J. Cann – Tim Lelito – Jahri Evans – Zach Strief. Ask me on a different day, though. That’s purely guessing. I’m basically thinking a rookie starts at left guard and Lelito gets his shot at center. No more Grubbs. I’m also going to say Goodwin comes back and he’s the primary backup at both G positions and at center.
Marijn Pessers Wbo will the Saints pick with mr irrelevant?
You’re really angling for that compensatory pick, huh? Since you’re asking me to pick a name and there’s no way I’ll get this right… I’ll just say B. J. Catalon, RB, TCU
Neer Shah Likelihood of Brees’ “heir apparent” being drafted this year?
I have a feeling they are going to draft a quarterback. Is he the “heir”, though? That I’m not sure about. I still think Ryan Griffin would have a significant leg up on any rookie they draft as the #3. And McCown is the backup unless someone beats him. Not saying Griffin is the guy that eventually replaces Brees, though. I don’t think the next quarterback that eventually starts for the Saints will be on the roster in 2015.
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