2009 Saints Thread

[Cajun Sensation]

Sweet! Looks like Brett hooked us up with a Saints forum!

I guess I'll do the honors.

Anyone have any fearless predictions for the upcoming season?

Any thoughts on the Saints and the salary cap issues that they are sure to have this year?

Let's get this thing kicked off and discuss the New Orleans Saints!

[mctiger]

Great to see a Saints forum on the world's best website!

I think next year is a playoff year! I have faith in Loomis to get the cap issues worked out and to get Vilma re-signed (job 1). Williams will improve the defense even if we don't improve the personnel, though I think we will. Coach SP has to grow up a little more and not be so wreckless and impetuous in his playcalling.

[StadiumSalute]

It's (very) early, but I'm cautiously optimistic about this coming season.

As long as the defense improves (and I think it will), I think we should see a better team than last year. Please draft some defensive players this year.

If the offense maintains the level it plays at, we should be alright for the most part, but I would like to see a more balanced offense. We need Deuce and Thomas to anchor the running game, and then put Reggie in for a change of pace.

Payton needs to not challenge every time he thinks the refs called it wrong. Show some restraint and challenge things that matter.

I think we could see the black and gold in the playoffs this year. I won't say that they won't go to the Super Bowl, but right now I think it's a long shot.

[Richdog]

I predicted super bowl this past year. too many injuries to make it, so i'm calling for a super bowl run this year. depending on draft picks and free agent signings, we should make it.
hopefully deuce can resign and retire a saint.
Keep Vilma and draft Cushing from usc.
that would be a great start.
oh and CUT DAVID!

[islstl]

The hiring of Williams improves the defense without even adding a single player.

Now to get those holes filled in the secondary (free safety and CB) and land an impact OLB. The last thing is a bruising RB to make those short yardage plays and wear down defenses in the 4th quarter.

IF the Saints do that in the offseason (draft or free agency), then I am predicting Super Bowl. The NFC has no dominate team.

[mctiger]

Originally Posted by Richdog

CUT DAVID!

Got to disagree. In '07 he was clearly lost in a system that went contrary to the way he'd played his whole career. This year he looked more comfortable, more instinctive and was able to make some plays. He also showed a willingness to hit someone on special teams. He still makes some mistakes, and his size hurts him at times. But he's not the train wreck he was in his first season, and while I wouldn't want to see him starting for any length of time, I think there's a place for him in nickel and dime packages, and on special teams. Definite candidate for a contract re-structure, since he got starter money when we brought him in.

[Richdog]

Originally Posted by mctiger

Got to disagree. In '07 he was clearly lost in a system that went contrary to the way he'd played his whole career. This year he looked more comfortable, more instinctive and was able to make some plays. He also showed a willingness to hit someone on special teams. He still makes some mistakes, and his size hurts him at times. But he's not the train wreck he was in his first season, and while I wouldn't want to see him starting for any length of time, I think there's a place for him in nickel and dime packages, and on special teams. Definite candidate for a contract re-structure, since he got starter money when we brought him in.

You don't think there's someone out there that can do exactly what David did last year?

[DarkHornet]

Originally Posted by islstl

The hiring of Williams improves the defense without even adding a single player.

Now to get those holes filled in the secondary (free safety and CB) and land an impact OLB. The last thing is a bruising RB to make those short yardage plays and wear down defenses in the 4th quarter.

IF the Saints do that in the offseason (draft or free agency), then I am predicting Super Bowl. The NFC has no dominate team.

I agree with this post. Gregg Williams is a very solid hire and if he can make us semi-competent on defense, that will make us one of the best teams in the NFC.

[DarkHornet]

Originally Posted by Richdog

You don't think there's someone out there that can do exactly what David did last year?

Better question is can the Saints afford that guy?

[Krypto]

The first thing they need to do is re-sign Vilma.

[DarkHornet]

Originally Posted by Krypto

The first thing they need to do is re-sign Vilma.

Exactly. He's our top priority this offseason. Hopefully they have a handshake deal in place, but you always got to worry when good players are allowed to hit the open market and get lots of money thrown at them.

[Cajun Sensation]

We could probably afford help in the 2ndary if we can somehow get Deuce to restructure his contract or cut him. I LOVE Deuce McAllister and can't speak highly enough about him both on and off the field....but business is business. We could definitely trim some fat contractually to free up enough space to make us a bit more comfortable salary cap wise.

[DarkHornet]

According to ESPN, the Saints are currently over the cap going into 2009, so they'll have to cut Deuce just to GET to the cap. They will have to cut in several areas to get enough wiggle room to get a free agent or two. Then of course, we don't know how much it will cost to keep Vilma, and he's priority one. The Saints will have to find value this offseason, so don't look for any big name acquisitions.

I think we've made the biggest splash we're going to make already by the hiring of Gregg Williams. I'm hoping they find a good FS, CB, or OLB in the first round this year, because I think that's our best shot for help.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/...NFC-South.html

[Krypto]

fine, i can fix the cap. Cut Will Smith, Jason David, Charles Grant. THere we just cleared up probably 13million per year in salary cap issues.


http://www.saintssideline.com/2008-salary-cap

[Cajun Sensation]

Originally Posted by Krypto

fine, i can fix the cap. Cut Will Smith, Jason David, Charles Grant. THere we just cleared up probably 13million per year in salary cap issues.


http://www.saintssideline.com/2008-salary-cap

Wow. That would leave us with some pretty shotty DE's, dontcha think?

[DarkHornet]

Originally Posted by Krypto

fine, i can fix the cap. Cut Will Smith, Jason David, Charles Grant. THere we just cleared up probably 13million per year in salary cap issues.


http://www.saintssideline.com/2008-salary-cap

I don't think your solution is far from what's best. I don't think you'll see Smith and Grant cut, however. I still have some confidence in Smith, though I'm ready to give up on Grant. How bout this... let's not take any more Georgia D-lineman in the first round?

[Krypto]

I love Deuce and I don't want to see him go, but I think that $7million in salary cap money will win out i think.

[Krypto]

I just noticed that Shockey's salary is not listed on the salary cap list.

[Cajun Sensation]

Originally Posted by Krypto

I just noticed that Shockey's salary is not listed on the salary cap list.

Maybe we should start by cutting Shockey. He sucks. Seriously. Not to mention he is a drug addict (prescription pills).

[Krypto]

I really would not mind if he got the axe. He is hurt more than he plays and he still can't seem to keep his attitude in check.

[DarkHornet]

Originally Posted by Krypto

I really would not mind if he got the axe. He is hurt more than he plays and he still can't seem to keep his attitude in check.

Maybe I'm the eternal optimist... but I'd like to see him get one more year.

[Krypto]

I am not knocking the guy's talent. He just seems so injury prone and then there is the drama.

[Cajun Sensation]

Originally Posted by Krypto

I am not knocking the guy's talent. He just seems so injury prone and then there is the drama.

Nevermind the fact that he can't catch a pass for the life of him. Billy Miller , arguably, is a better tight end than Jeremy Shockey.

2008 Stats:

Shockey: 50 rec. 483 yards 0 TD Has baggage $3 Million annually
Miller: 45 rec. 579 yards 1 TD No baggage $955k annually

You be the judge.

[mctiger]

Originally Posted by Cajun Sensation

Nevermind the fact that he can't catch a pass for the life of him. Billy Miller , arguably, is a better tight end than Jeremy Shockey.

2008 Stats:

Shockey: 50 rec. 483 yards 0 TD Has baggage $3 Million annually
Miller: 45 rec. 579 yards 1 TD No baggage $955k annually

You be the judge.

IMO, Miller is the most underrated player on the Saints roster.

[DownOnTheBayou]

Priority 1 is re-signing Vilma. He's the best MLB we have had since Sam Mills.

I agree with cutting Deuce. He's my favorite Saints player of all-time, but with 3 knee surgeries, i think he's done. So obviously Loomis/SP need to get a big RB this off-season. I would love to draft PJ Hill from Wisconsin if that's possible.

Shockey should've already been cut. He's garbage. Injury and fumble prone.

Williams finally gives us a legitimate DC. Hopefully we can get a FS, CB, and OLB to fill some obvious holes. No matter what, our defense is already better next year.

One topic not discussed is Reggie Bush. He hasn't lived up to the hype as of yet, at least not offensively. His special teams play has been good for the most part. I think the problem is that SP has absolutely no clue how to use Reggie. SP tries so desperately to make Reggie an every down RB. Well he's not. He needs to be in space. I think SP should look at film of Reggie at USC. Norm Chow ran a pro-style offense and had Reggie all over the field. If SP can figure it out, our offense will be even more explosive, and that's scary for the rest of the league.

Now Sean Payton. He better get a running game this year. All this "cute" playcalling crap has to stop. On 3rd and short we should be running the ball up somebody's @ss instead of calling trick plays. Yet again, we get a running game and our offense is even better.

Another thing on Payton, could he possibly hire someone to decide on when to use a challenge???? SP is the worst at calling a challenge.