What is obvious after the off-season

After a whirlwind of an off-season, things on Airline Drive are starting to settle.

While it’s been reported that Kevin Williams and Da’quan Bowers have visited the team, we’re pretty much looking at the players that will make up the Saints 2015 roster. For the inaugural post I thought I’d share what is obvious after the off-season.

1. The Saints will play a lot of press man. 
   

   (The addition of Dennis Allen means a more aggressive and physical secondary)

   I’m sure they would have liked to do this last year, but a combination of things just didn’t allow for it. The Champ Bailey Experience never came to fruition. Stanley Jean-Baptist wasn’t near ready for prime time. Patrick Robinson was better suited for the slot. Corey White was too busy struggling with football to play corner. Never mind playing press man. The Saints didn’t have a #2 corner back.

   Why do I think we’ll play a lot of press man?

   Primarily because the additions of Dennis Allen, Brandon Browner and P.J. Williams. Kyle Wilson to a lesser extent, but he does come from a press man background.

   Dennis Allen didn’t succeed as a head coach, but few could in Oakland. He was part of the staff in 2009 as defensive backs coach, and they played a lot of press man that year. Browner and Williams gives the secondary a mean and physical presence. While they may draw some flags, they won’t be pushed around and nothing will come easy.

   This could wind up working out rather well for Stanley Jean-Baptist. One of the knocks on SJB coming out of college is that he struggled with off man and zone, and was strictly a press guy. That combined with his rawness is probably why he never saw the field. Most NFL players make their biggest leaps from year one to year two, so this year will be telling for him. The scheme will match his skill set so there’s no excuse.

   The Saints paid Byrd a lot of money, and even before his injury, his skill set was going to waste. The Saints were playing off man or zone, and Byrd was regularly lined up 30 + yards off the line of scrimmage, baby sitting Robinson or White. The pass rush also suffered due to the quick pass readily available. Press man gives both the pass rush and Byrd the chance to succeed.

2. Jeff Ireland influence was huge. 
   

   (Jeff Ireland and Mickey Loomis watching NFL prospects)

   This years draft was a welcomed change. While I’m sure trades were discussed, the Saints weren’t their normal caviler selves. They pulled a minor trade, jumping back into the 5th round, only sacrificing a 6th round pick in 2016. Loomis was quoted as saying that Jeff was often the voice of reason in the draft room. Before the draft many thought there was no way that the Saints would end the draft with 9 picks, but they did. The team has been a lot more miss than hit in recent drafts and they really needed each one of these 9 picks. In fact I was hoping that they’d trade down and collect some more picks.

   What I liked most about this draft is that the linebacker position was finally taken seriously. Some pundits and fans criticized the Saints taking Stephone Anthony at 31, saying they could have gotten him in the 2nd round. For one, there’s absolutely no way you can know that. Mock drafts are not an accurate depiction of what NFL boards look like. Secondly, if you believe that Anthony will be the signal caller and tone setter for your defense, then you want that 5th year option. It was the right decision.

   I was a little leery when they picked Hau’oli Kikaha in the 2nd round only because of his past ACL tears, but after I saw the last one was in 2012 and he’s been playing ever since, I was more on board. You can’t help but love his production and tenacity. While he’s soft spoken he plays mean. I think he could take over SAM by mid year if not sooner, but he’ll definitely see pass rush snaps immediately. He could eventually move over to Galette’s spot once he’s done in New Orleans (which might be after the season). I could see Davis Tull developing into the starting SAM down the road. Tull can also contribute immediately on 3rd down situations, but I think he’ll mostly contribute on special teams this year.

   Dannel Ellerbe and Anthony Spencer provide good veteran leadership that was missing on the defense last year. The Saints could get some decent production out of them too.

3. They are serious about the running game.
   

   (Mark Ingram earned a 2nd contract with his consistent performance in 2014)

   Some of the signs are obvious. The Saints traded their best receiving threat for an all-pro center. They resigned Mark Ingram who proved that he could be a workhorse back. They drafted an offensive tackle with the 13th pick when many didn’t consider it an immediate need (I actually disagree with that, but I was shocked they addressed it that high). One sign is less obvious.

   It was assumed that the Saints would do something with Drew Brees’s contract this off-season. Both Brees and Loomis were asked if it had been discussed. The answers were kept short. People speculated that the new emphasis on the running game was in part to extend Drew’s career, but I think it was done to extend the Payton/Loomis tenure.

   Garrett Grayson played in a pro-style offense in college, and particularly excelled at play action passing. He may or may not be the successor to Brees, but this team is being remade for someone like him. The commitment is clear. If you’re going to emphasize the running game and the defense, if you’re going to pour your resources into that (as they have), you just don’t continue to pay your quarterback top dollar.

   The good news is this transition won’t mean lost years like it would for many NFL teams. While they won’t be the favorites in the NFC, the Saints will have a legitimate chance to compete for a title while Brees is still here if these corrections prove to be effective.

   PADDY MAN OUT