The Saints need a starting left tackle. That person is either going to be incumbent starter Jermon Bushrod, last year’s 2nd round draft pick Charles Brown, or someone they sign in free agency. Bushrod is a free agent that’s probably in line to get a mid range signing bonus to go with a longer term contract, so the Saints need to think long and hard on whether on not they want to invest in him. With the coin they’ve already put into Jahri Evans and the coin they’re about to put into Carl Nicks, they have to be careful about spending too freely on the offensive line. I’ve been vocal in my belief that I think it’s time to let Bushrod go. The money that it would take to retain him almost certainly won’t be worth it.
One possible solution? Former Saint Jammal Brown. You’ll remember that after 5 years with the Saints…
(twice making the Pro Bowl as a left tackle), Brown was traded to the Washington Redskins for a 3rd round pick after sitting out 2009 with an injury. Brown was moved to right tackle this year by the Redskins and did fine there, though he’s clearly not the player he used to be. Why not sign him to a one or two year deal to help continue the grooming process for Charles Brown? If Charles Brown is ready to be thrown into the fire, great, but if not, Jammal Brown could be an interesting fit. At this point in his career he’s not going to command a large salary, but he’s still a very capable blocker. Brown is an unrestricted free agent that’ll be free to sign with anyone when the lockout ends. The Redskins are reportedly interested in bringing him back at a reasonable price.
One possible hitch in this suggestion is Brown’s relationship with Sean Payton. Both guys bumped heads often, and Payton was often visibly frustrated, if not irrate, with Brown. Still, Brown knows the offense, has played with many of the guys still on that line, and he’s a very capable veteran that’ll command less money than Bushrod. The long term solution is Charles Brown, but if he’s not ready, Jammal Brown could be the perfect stopgap. it’s been said that Charles Brown doesn’t have the bulk to handle starting full time yet, so I sense he still needs seasoning. Jammal is a declining player perhaps, while Bushord is an improving one, but when you’ve already got Charles Brown on the roster the long term goal is to groom him. Giving Bushrod a long term deal won’t do that. Signing Jammal Brown to a short term and more affordable deal gives you almost no immediate drop off on the field, and it leaves your plan for Charles Brown to eventually succeed intact.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
