Saints Nation: Alex Brown Visiting the Saints

Ex Chicago Bear defensive end Alex Brown is scheduled to visit the Saints today. Brown was recently released by the Bears, in part because of the high price tag he carried and the recent free agent signing of Julius Peppers. Oddly, the division rival Panthers and Buccaneers seem to be the other teams most interested in Brown's services. Brown has been very steady in his career, posting 6 sacks per year in 4 out of his last 6 seasons. He also posted 7 sacks and 4.5 sacks in separate years during that span. He's not a premiere pass rusher, but he's steady and he's also a capable run stopper. At 30 years old, one would hope he's still got something left in the tank. The best news of all, since he was released by the Bears, is that he won't count against the Saints' ability to sign one free agent.

My knowledgeable Bears' inside source, JLaw, says the following: "I know he will play hard and not be a distraction. Brown was a popular player with his teammates and fans in Chicago. His high salary number for 2010 was one reason given for his release. His reputation as a team player and a hard worker was never in doubt, even when he lost his starting job to one move wonder Mark Anderson. Too bad the Bears overpaid for their recent free agent binge necessitating his release. Wrong side of 30, but the right kind of attitude." Many thanks to him for the scoop.

Personally, I don't know how much it will cost the Saints, but I'd love to see them step up and sign Brown. Based on JLaw's feedback, he'd be a perfect fit for the Saints' high character locker room. He could step in for the loss of Charles Grant and start immediately. I think he'd perform well and be an instant upgrade at defensive end. He's also extremely durable as I believe he's missed 1 game in 9 seasons. That's a far cry from what we were used to with Charles Grant. As it stands the Saints are counting on Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston to man the starting defensive end spot vacated by Grant, so I think Brown would be a terrific addition to the rotation. It all depends on how much he wants, though.

Saints Nation: McNabb is Headed to Skins, but Who's More Stupid?

I'm actually uncertain what team is more idiotic, Eagles or Redskins? Trading a franchise QB to your bitter enemy, rival, and divisional opponent is the cardinal sin in the NFL. The Eagles just made a team they are in direct competition with better. Few things could be more difficult to understand. On the flip side, the Redskins have had a recent history of mediocrity and they are just continuing down that path. Their blueprint for "success" in the Snyder era, or lack thereof, has been to mortgage their future for older and established NFL veterans. The problem is that the countless number of overpaid veterans they land quickly fizzle out and disappoint them, and they have no crop of young players which cripples their depth.

McNabb was shipped away for the Redskins' second round pick, and a lower pick next year. One common misconception of NFL fans is that 2nd round picks are all worth the same. I think there's mental picture when you hear "2nd round pick", that you're getting a decent prospect... but let's make no mistake, the Saints' 2nd round pick will be for the 64th player in the draft. This pick is 37th. While both picks fall into the "2nd round", there's a pretty major difference there. Granted, one could argue that the Redskins' ability to scout prospects is so bad they'd make a bad pick at 37th overall anyway. Short term, this helps the Redskins for maybe a couple seasons, but once again it sets them back financially and mortgages their future. You think they would've learned by now.

Granted Brees, Sharper and Vilma were all terrific pickups by the Saints, but consider the core of their foundation: Marques Colston, Pierre Thomas, Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Roman Harper, Will Smith, Sedrick Ellis, Tracy Porter... all young players drafted by the Saints. Together they've built a SuperBowl champion as the backbone of the franchise. The Redskins have almost no players like that. Some of their best players? Clinton Portis, Albert Haynesworth, McNabb, Satana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Andre Carter, London Fletcher, DeAngelo Hall... These are all players they were held at ransom to acquire, through massive bonuses and/or draft picks. You tell me which way of doing business has made for the better product on the field. I bet the Redskins would trade their entire roster for the Saints' tomorrow. This McNabb acquisition embodies the stupid business model they've been failing with for years.

So who's more stupid, the Eagles or the Redskins?

Saints Nation: Anthony Hargrove Signs Back with Saints

Here's a piece of good news: Anthony Hargrove has elected to sign his restricted free agent contract tender by the Saints. He's now on board for the team in 2010. Hargrove had visited with the Lions and apparently received a good amount of interest, but in the end he opted to stick around with the Saints. Good to have him back! With Charles Grant released, Hargrove's return was even more vital to the Saints' defensive line.

More news on the signing can be found HERE.

Saints Nation: Revisiting the Saints' 2008 Draft

Every year in April, I go back to two year's prior to see how past draft classes have panned out. It's always extremely tough to grade a draft class the week they are picked because one has little idea how their career will truly pan out. One could argue you can't fully grade a draft class until 10 years later. I looked at the 2007 draft class a year ago, and thought that class turned out to be a disaster. To their credit, a year later, Jermon Bushrod and Robert Meachem have made huge strides. There's no question with the 2008 class, though, as the Saints bounced back to make some crucial picks. Let's take a look:

1. Sedrick Ellis: While Ellis has yet to have what I would characterize as a truly outstanding season, but there's no question he's a respected NFL starter that's blossoming into a star. Ellis has gotten banged up in each of his first two seasons with knee issues, but when he's played he's been effective and powerful. There's been a clear difference in the Saints' ability to stop the run when Ellis plays, and he's registered 6 sacks in two seasons, showing he can get after the passer. Ellis is a huge part of the team's future success and he's only going to get better.

2. Tracy Porter (pictured): With the plays Porter made in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl, all NFL fans in the country know who he is. His prowess goes deeper than two big time plays in big moments, though, as he's solidified himself as one of the top young corners in the NFL. His first season was cut short by a broken wrist, but he showed a lot of promise before the injury, and his second season was phenomenal. I wouldn't be surprised to see him command a massive contract sometime in the very near future. He's arguably the best young cornerback the Saints have ever had.

5a. DeMario Pressley: The jury is still out on Pressley. He sat out the entirely of 2008 with an injury in training camp that landed him on injured reserve. After not making the final cuts in 2009, Pressley was placed on the practice squad before getting a midseason call up thanks to the injury veteran Kendrick Clancy. Once he got on the field, Pressley showed a lot of promise in limited action. It seemed like every time he came on the field, he showed a lot of grit and energy. I'm looking forward to seeing more out of him, but if he can stay healthy there's no reason to think he won't contribute.

5b. Carl Nicks: Nicks is another draftee the Saints hit a monster homerun with. Nicks stepped in for Jamar Nesbit halfway through his rookie season at starting left guard, once Nesbit received a 4 game suspension for taking the same water pills that threatened suspensions on Will Smith, Deuce and Charles Grant. Nesbit elected to serve his suspension to get it over with, and when he came back he never got his starting job back. Nicks is a premiere young NFL guard. It sounds redundant because I keep describing our 2008 draft picks that way, but it's true. Nicks was elected as a pro bowl alternate in his first full season as a starter. The NFL has a program that rewards underpaid players with bonuses, and Nicks has received the most of any player in the NFL the past two years. What that means is he's outperforming his contract more than any other young player in the league. Pretty good value if you ask me, but it's clear Nicks will be commanding a big payday soon. Nicks is a stalwart on the Saints' offensive line, and a very valuable run blocker that mauls the opposition.

6. Taylor Mehlhaff: Mehlhaff was a promising young kicker that was supposed to become what Garrett Hartley has become for the Saints. Mehlhaff in limited reps with the Saints was a complete disaster and utter liability. Every time he went out there to kick it was an adventure, extra points included. He is no longer in the league, but will likely be looking for a job somewhere in 2010.

7. Adrian Arrington: Like Pressley, Arrington spent the entirely of 2008 on injured reserve, despite showing lots of promise in preseason prior to getting hurt. Arrington is still a promising receiver, though he spent the majority of 2009 on the practice squad and never really had a chance to show what he can do, it's not impossible he'll make the team in 2010 and contribute. That said, I have a hard time seeing him play much as he's stuck behind a very experienced and deep receiving core for the Saints.

All in all the 2008 draft was an excellent one, and it showed that the Saints' braintrust know what they're doing. It was a nice rebound from a shaky 2007 draft, and it rivals 2006 as arguably one of the best Saints' draft classes in history. Remember, 2006 brought us Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans and Roman Harper, among others.

Breaking News: Reggie Bush Traded to Steelers for a 4th Round Draft Choice

Pretty shocking news coming out of Saints camp today, as Reggie Bush's love affair with the city of New Orleans came to an abrupt end. EPSN is reporting that the Saints have agreed in principle to send Bush to Pittsburgh for a 4th round draft choice. I, for one, am floored by this news. I guess his celebration of the Super Bowl victory will be short lived. Word also has it the Saints are shopping Jeremy Shockey and could part with him as soon as Saturday.







APRIL FOOLS!!!!! Hahaha. On a serious note today is Saints Nation's first birthday today. What a crazy year it's been. Over 650 followers on twitter, over 1,500 friends on facebook, and a Super Bowl victory. Thank you for all of your support this year, it's been a wild ride. Looking forward to doing this for many more years to come.

Saints Nation: Preseason Opponents Announced

While no one does, or should, care about preseason, these are the opponents the Saints will face, per Nola.com:

@ Patriots (date TBA)
vs. Texans (date TBA)
vs. Chargers (on 8/27) 
@ Titans (date TBA)


I do think it's interesting that all four teams happen to come from the AFC. And hey, if our boys have to go to Foxboro, at least it's in the summer.

Saints Nation: What to do at Offensive Tackle?

Good offensive tackles in the NFL are at a premium in the league because they are so hard to find. The Saints, however, have four very solid ones. Starting right tackle Jon Stinchcomb is fresh off his first Pro Bowl birth, left tackle Jammal Brown has been to Pro Bowls before, and both Zach Strief and Jermon Bushrod have proven to be very capable backups that would likely be ready to play in a full time starting role if given a chance. Going into last year we knew Strief, Brown and Stinchcomb were capable players, though to Stinchcomb's credit he turned in one of his better yearly performances in 2010. Bushrod, however, was the big surprise. Up to this point in the offseason last year, Bushrod had been nothing more than a promising player that underperformed and didn't live up to his potential. Then came an injury to Jammal Brown that would shelve him for the season, and Bushrod (not Strief) was surprisingly thrown into the fire as a starter at left tackle. Considering Bushrod was immediately placed into the most important position on the line for the most high powered offense in the league, he handled himself admirably. Ultimately, he ended up being the starting left tackle for a Super Bowl champion. Pretty impressive when you consider that most viewed him as a glaring hole on the offense and a serious liability as the season would progress. I want to mention, also, that while Zach Strief only saw limited action as the starting left tackle last season behind Bushrod, the Saints thought enough of him that they were constantly finding ways to get him on the field as an extra blocker.

So the big questions become: Can the Saints afford to keep all four of these players, and if not, which one do they let go?

As of now the Saints have Stinchcomb locked up longterm, and Bushrod, Strief and Brown have all been tendered to restricted free agent contracts that make it unlikely other teams will attempt to sign them away. Right now, if healthy, Jammal Brown still represents the team's best option at left tackle. It remains to be seen based on his injury history, though, if the Saints are willing to risk investing in Brown long term. It also remains to be seen if he's fully recovered enough from his serious hip surgery in 2009 to play at the level he's accustomed to. Brown is a premiere tackle when on his game, no doubt, but he's gone through patches of injury and poor play before. Bushrod did prove that he could fill in admirably for Brown last year, but his performances were up and down, and the Saints devised many blocking schemes targeted at helping Bushrod. Whether it was line shifts, double teams, chips from a back, or play action plays run away from the left side, the Saints often focused on relieving Bushrod of as much pressure as possible. While the offense still managed to have tons of success that way, it would be nice to put less pressure on the other players on the line and allow coach Payton to be more versatile in his play calling. Bushrod should only get better, but will he ever be good enough to give the Saints reason to invest in him long term? As far as Strief, it seems as though he's best suited for a spot at right tackle, and right now there's no way he's bumping Stinchcomb from the starting rotation.

Ultimately the Saints, while it was difficult, found ways to get three tackles involved in the gameplan last year. I don't think it's realistic that they'll be able to do that with four healthy tackles, and with the current value that Jammal Brown and Jermon Bushrod carry, I think they are the most likely to get shipped. Strief is too valuable as a backup and role player to the team, and he's not valuable enough on the open market, so I don't see him leaving. I think Bushrod, based on his performance last year, may actually be overvalued on the current open market. Brown is a little bit of an enigma, because while he's probably valued highly based on his accolades, he carries a high price tag and a big injury risk. I can't imagine the Saints will keep all four players, but I'm not certain of which player they would part with. It is possible that the Saints will keep the four tackles for one more year in an effort to get more answers as to who should be in their long term plans. Either way it's a good problem to have for the team. Too many good tackles is the opposite of what most NFL teams deal with, which is not enough.