Saints Free Agency
March 14th, 2016
This week, Joe will look at free-agency happenings in the NFC South.
Unlike the Bucs, the 7-9 Saints finished last season winning three of four games, including embarrassing the 6-6 Bucs at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway on Dec. 13. Remember that game, when many Bucs players said they “came out flat?”
The Saints’ arrow is looking up after that strong finish, except they were strapped this offseason by their usual salary cap limitations and appear to have changed their philosophy.
No team allowed more points than the Saints in 2015, yet they didn’t sign a significant free agent on defense.
Imagine if the Bucs’ front office pulled a stunt like that? There’d be a riot on Dale Mabry!
The Saints big action in free agency? They re-signed a few of their own second-tier guys, including backup QB Luke McCown, plus former Colts tight end Coby Fleener was inked to replace tight end Ben Watson. who left for Baltimore. Watson shocked the NFL last season with a whopping 74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns.
What’s intriguing is the Saints were in the mix for new Bucs guard J.R. Sweezy, per NOLA.com.
Last year at the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona, Joe sat with head coach Sean Payton when he discussed how guards and the center — the interior pocket — are more important to him than good left tackle play. It was why he was willing to trade Jimmy Graham to Seattle and pick up a draft pick and a starting center, Max Unger.
Buzz out of New Orleans is that the Saints are still looking for a guard, but fans are on edge in fear that the Saints will draft one early and won’t sufficiently address their defense.
March 14th, 2016 at 9:16 am
GMC will own whoever they have inside for years to come. They also need to find a qb.
March 14th, 2016 at 9:58 am
N.O. may have reached that salary cap hell due to Brees salary where they are struck in mediocre hell. A team that can occasionally look good but never really get over the hump.
March 14th, 2016 at 10:01 am
Interior protection more important to keep pressure off Brees’s face since he is short.
March 14th, 2016 at 10:03 am
The 1997 T2 run by Lovies family members is long gone replaced by a meaner, leaner Smith-Hayes defense that caters to players abilities. In short: Good luck Saints, you’ll need it.
March 14th, 2016 at 10:23 am
I’d certainly rather be in our situation than the Saints…….aging QB….cap hell….losing players.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:32 am
Don’t forget the second Saints game at home that we lost 24-17. The loss sent our season into a nose dive. Remember the first play when Vincent Jackson reception had a 35 yard gain eliminated because of a Donovan Smith holding penalty for 10 yards. That penalty alone created a 45 yard change in field position. Then due to a non existent pass rush and a secondary who could not stop Drew Brees, who went (31-41 312 YDS, 2 TD) 75.6% completion rate, the Saints beat us. Bradley McDougald was the worst of the group and could not cover Willie Snead who went 7 of 8 for 122 yards. Then late in the 4th on 3rd and 2, Alterraun Verner gave up the PI penalty to end the game. The lessons learned is how much help we need with the secondary, pass rush and eliminating penalties.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:36 am
I’m not worried about the Saints. They always seem to field a competitive team somehow. I am however worried about our Defense. If we Improve just 50%, we win about 3 more games than last year. We shall see.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Screw the Saints. Once Brees retires in a year or 2 – they will be relegated back to suckdom where they belong.
March 14th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Don’t forget the second Saints game at home that we lost 24-17. The loss sent our season into a nose dive. Remember the first play when Vincent Jackson reception had a 35 yard gain eliminated because of a Donovan Smith holding penalty for 10 yards. That penalty alone created a 45 yard change in field position. Then due to a non existent pass rush and a secondary who could not stop Drew Brees, who went (31-41 312 YDS, 2 TD) 75.6% completion rate, the Saints beat us. Bradley McDougald was the worst of the group and could not cover Willie Snead who went 7 of 8 for 122 yards. Then late in the 4th on 3rd and 2, Alterraun Verner gave up the PI penalty to end the game. The lessons learned is how much help we need with the secondary, pass rush and eliminating penalties.
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Dye dropped the game tying touchdown pass as well…perfectly thrown deep ball by Jameis. I believe the Saints game was the first without Kwon as well….
March 14th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
boo saints
March 14th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Saints fans dragging out those paper bags again, last place finishers in the NFC South upcoming.
March 14th, 2016 at 2:08 pm
What Pickgrin said!!!
They’re relevant as long as they have Brees. Afterwards? Not so scary!
March 14th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Yes I remember Donovan Smith’s holding penalty which negated the reception, even Jameis said it had an effect on the momentum of the game. That dude and Mike Evans and Verner had a lot of preventable penalties last year, costing us big. Godzilla is right. Penalties have to stop this year. One of the few things new coaching should change.