I have repeatedly labeled the Saints Linebacker group as the worst on the team. I think it is only right that before I get to each of the individual players I explain my reasoning for that. There are a number of reasons why having good to great linebackers is so important to a defense, but I will only focus on two. The first is that the linebacker position by the nature of it has a different ‘geometry’; in other words the way they are positioned relative to their teammates and to the opponents gives linebackers the most opportunities to make big plays during a game. Linebackers can be responsible for anything from the line of scrimmage to 15 yards up the field (in specific situations in coverage they go further, but it isn’t common) and because of this increased ‘area of effect’ the thing they need most is consistency. Other than Lofton the Saints have none, and even he is a pretty one dimensional player who is easy to expose. Linebackers have to fill lanes, interrupt routes, read and diagnose plays, and at worst create opportunities for their teammates, and that brings us to the second area of importance. Linebackers who are above average at their position have a tremendous impact on the field with not only the plays they make themselves, but the opportunities they create for their teammates. A perfect example of this is the hated Panthers. While their secondary was a hot garbage fire all year, the only area you could really attack was the deep parts of the field (which was difficult thanks to their pass rush) because Kuechly and Davis patrolled the middle of the field and made so many critical plays. What the Saints lack is any kind of true playmaker at the position (like Luke). They have one solid player in Lofton much like the Corner position has Keenan, but whereas at Corner there are at least young guys who could POTENTIALLY become something more… the Linebacker position is barren. It’s time to look at the Saints linebacking corp heading into the ’15 season.
Curtis Lofton: 100 Tackles, 45 Assists, 1 FF.
Curtis Lofton is an interesting case in that if he is the best Linebacker on your team, you are in trouble. However, if he is a complementary guy who doesn’t have to step outside of his limited (but incredibly effective) skill set…he is a perfect fit. Lofton isn’t the kind of eye-popping athlete that makes teams and media members alike salivate. What he is, is a smart, determined, true professional who gives his all to the team and simply goes out and ‘does his job’. The value of that cannot and should not be underestimated, but nor should it be overstated. I love Lofton, I think he is a great fit with the team, but with that said he has very serious flaws in his game that can be (and have been) exploited. Lofton is an instinctive side line to side line tackler, but he is also undersized, light in the pads (ONLY relative to elite players at his position), and poor (at best) in coverage. Lofton needs other players around him that allow him to do what he does best…TACKLE! The guy is a machine, he lays good hits, shows solid technique (on THIS defense that is a minor miracle) consistently, and is also the ‘quarterback’ of the Saints defense. Lofton should be IMO one of the Saints captains next year, and I don’t care if he is vocal or not, the example he sets on and off the field is what you want in a leader.
Ronald Powell: 1 Tackle, 1 Assist.
Powell is the only Linebacker on this team (OLB) who has what I would call top end development potential. He is also a raw prospect at this point who couldn’t get his way off of the SP unit, he was a top high school recruit and still retains the athleticism that made him so. But what he is learning is that the NFL is about a lot more than just physical benchmarks. If Powell is ever able to utilize his gifts in such a way that they become ‘functional strengths’ instead of just ‘raw athleticism’ he could be a major playmaker for the team. Powell is a 5th round pick and that generally comes with being a long shot to really make an impact, but at least the potential is there. I just have to pray that the Saints total and complete inability to develop anything even close to resembling a quality Linebacker will strike once again and he will go somewhere else and flourish.
Kyle Knox: 1 Tackle, 2 Assists.
My personal take on Knox is ‘we will see’. He hasn’t really shown anything, but in the pre-season there just seemed to be something about him that stood out. As always I have to put the caveat that its only my opinion and I would love to be proven wrong, but I don’t see anything higher than a Ramon Humber ceiling for him. Meaning he belongs on special teams and could maybe fill in for spot duty on the field. Knox is a young guy, but with the Saints track record with Linebackers it’s hard to put too much stock into a long shot. Considering how poor the play was with the Linebackers on this team this year if he had the ability to make plays I would have to ask why he never saw the field.
Todd Davis: 3 Tackles.
Read what I said about Knox. Davis could very well have potential; I just have yet to see it on the field. That isn’t to say that the coaches haven’t, but again i have to ask with how poor the play was why he didn’t get more snaps. I can hope it’s because he ‘wasn’t ready’ and not because he ‘wasn’t able’, but if there is one position i don’t trust this staff with its Linebacker so it’s hard to have hope for the young man.
Kasim Edebali: 15 Tackles, 7 Assists, 2 Sacks.
Powell is the only guy IMO who has top end potential, but I see Edebali as perhaps a Galette clone…but with more brain cells. Basically he has a very similar skill set to Junior and Perhaps could develop to be a similar player (I think he will be slighly worse), but if he can reach that ceiling quickly then it opens up the option (ONLY the option, so relax) to let Galette go if his behavior continues. Edebali isn’t ever going to be a household name, but he could definitely become a rotational player and champions are built more on solid rotational guys than they are stars. With that said Edebali is, like Junior, a one trick pony who really can only rush the passer…so while I like him, he isn’t a difference maker at this point.
David Hawthorne: 52 Tackles, 31 Assists, 3 Sacks, 1 Pick.
Not really that impressive statistically speaking, but in my opinion Hawthorne’s stats make him look like a far better player than he actually was for the team. Part of his issue is that he really is a slightly worse version of Lofton…and we don’t need two. I don’t think he is a bad player, I just don’t think he is a very good one and I am almost positive he is a redundant one for this team. I will be personally shocked and disappointed if he isn’t released before the season begins. Hawthorne is particularly fast, his coverage is supposed to be his strength but he has been awful, he is a big hitter…but only when he actually is where he needs to be (that includes actually being on the field). My biggest issue with Hawthorne is that he brings us nothing that we don’t already have and he makes little to no impact. The guy is also constantly injured and at best ‘nicked up’ and that also affects his play on the field. This isn’t a crusade or a personal attack, but other than Goodwin (for reasons of 100% age), and Corey White (for reasons of being awful), Hawthorne is the guy I want to see in a Saints uniform next year the least.
Parys Haralson: 23 Tackles, 13 Assists, 3 Sacks.
Haralson is your typical ‘veteran guy’ who is great in the locker room, consistently present, doesn’t make a huge impact but does all the little things, and he is the teams only true OLB. If the Saints bring him back for something along the lines of the Vet minimum I have no issue with it so long as he isn’t the starter. That isn’t an attack on him, it just means that if he is our starter at OLB then that means we did nothing to improve the position in the off-season. Haralson at this point brings the most value as a situational player and a good veteran presence that can ‘give guys a blow’ and rotate in when needed. Having to rely on a middling player who is way past his prime will not help the team build a contender or a competent defense. However, having a vet who can help show a young guy the ropes and how to be a pro?….priceless. (sorry couldn’t resist)
Ramon Humber: 38 Tackles, 12 Assists, 1 Sack.
Ramon Humber can be summed up in the term most used to describe him, ‘special teams ace’. Humber has great value on special teams, but I just don’t think he is a solid back up for a great defense. With that said he is definitely a SOLID backup that will come at a low price and so I see the team bringing him back. Humber is one of those guys who just sticks around, works hard, and does whatever is asked of him. He isn’t a star and will never be a starter (barring a disaster), but I won’t say he is without value.
Position group grade: F-
I was a lot nicer here than I originally planned/expected to be. Part of the reason I did the positions by order of who made me the least angry was so that this would occur. If I had written this immediately after the season had ended I wouldn’t have been able to post it on this site (for podcast fans…think Kevin without the filter and self control). This group gets the worst grade because of both the incredible importance of the position (second behind D-line IMO), as well as the total and utter lack of anything resembling competency from anyone not named Curtis. Even Lofton has his flaws and struggled at times this year, but at least he was competent. What this unit truly lacks is an Ath-e-lete who is a bonafide playmaker. The Saints have guys who are matchup problems at literally every position on the team (at least one) except this one and it is possibly the one that a team needs one most at. As currently constructed I do not see this groups grade improving in the future and it is the only unit which makes me feel that way…that is the reason it is the worst in my view.
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