Saints Simplifying the Defense in Their Efforts to Improve It.

The first week of OTA's are complete and we may have gotten a glimpse of what Dennis Allen's role will be on the team.

Thursday's practice was open to media and he was seen working with the secondary. This isn't a surprise. Most assumed that this was a primary reason he was brought in, but perhaps what is surprising is how hands on he seems to be. The Saints website released photos of the practice sessions, and several show Dennis Allen holding up a dummy for tackling drills. Tackling needs to be a point of emphasis as the team was dead last in tackling efficiency according to Pro Football Focus.

(Dennis Allen runs tackling drills with the Saints secondary)

The team is also reportedly simplifying the defense. The Advocate's Nick Underhill:




The team fielded the worst defense in NFL history in 2012 under Steve Spagnuolo, and a big reason for that was that it was needlessly complicated. Players reportedly had multiple checks every play which is problematic for a defense trying to learn a scheme. One of the knocks on Rob Ryan is that his defense can be too complicated at times and we saw that manifest itself last year. Dennis Allen could be helping to rein in those tendencies in Ryan, who's an otherwise great defensive coordinator.

Other things of note:

- Coach Payton that this week was base defense oriented and the team was running primarily a 4-3 front

- Lewis and Browner were the starting corners while Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Terrence Fredrick ran with the second team

- Anthony Spencer was taking snaps with the first team in place of Junior Galette. Maybe a message is being sent to the somewhat troubled pass rusher?

- David Hawthorne is the starting middle linebacker as of now, but that could change quickly. Stephone Anthony reportedly looked great so far, picking off a pass from Luke McCown.

History and Opportunity Led to the Drafting of Andrus Peat.

(Rookie Tackle Andrus Peat during rookie mini-camp.)

Every team has their weaknesses, but there's usually one in particular each season that does them in.

The challenge for coaching staffs and personnel departments is addressing current needs while making sure other positions don't go to pot. While you always want to fill immediate needs, the latter is just as important as the former. An area of strength can soon turn into an area of weakness if neglected, or in the Saints case, taking project players and reaching for them in the process.

There has been a lie circulating for years that the Saints don't value offensive tackles, but the team spent a 2nd round pick on Charles Brown in 2010. Brown spent the majority of his time as a back up, but earned the starting job in 2013. He was bench late in the year and the team didn't attempt to resign him. He was a converted tight end in college and never really developed the strength needed for the position. He was raw, and they reached for him. This happened repeatedly with players like Martez Wilson, Corey White, Tavon Rooks, and to the chagrin of Saints fans, Stanley Jean-Baptist. This practice led to the firing of Rick Reiprish and the hiring of Jeff Ireland.

While a failure as a GM in Miami, Ireland excelled at scouting during his time in Dallas. Many thought that the Saints were blowing up their roster but this was a controlled demolition, albeit a risky one. The roster already had it deficiencies, and they traded away some big pieces of it. If the Saints don't nail the 2015 draft, and the team flounders again, then they really are looking at a rebuild, this time with Brees as their trade worthy asset. The fact that the team didn't even try to rework or extend Brees's contract makes it more than likely that they see that as a real possibility.

The drafting of Andrus Peat caught fans and analyst by surprise, but I believe it caught the team by surprise as well. They probably didn't think he'd be available at 13. I know some have complained that you could have gotten him at 31, but mock drafts aren't reality. The draft comes and shows us just how different the teams boards were from the analyst's projections. Pass rusher was one of the top needs. Dante Fowler and Vic Beasly went early. Randy Gregory (positive drug test) and Shane Ray (DUI) were too much of a risk that high, and Bud Dupree was a raw physical specimen, the very thing they were trying to get away from. In hindsight it was either Peat or Devante Parker. Parker would have provided a true #1 receiver and excitement, but Peat provided something much more valuable.

(Zach Strief could see his tenure as starter end this year)

I may be in the minority but I think Peat is going to start this year. Zach Strief has been one of the most consistent performers in recent history, but he has missed 10 games since becoming the starter in 2011. Peat was the most pro-ready tackle coming out of the draft. Sean Payton has raved about how fluid his movements are for such a big man. Peat is like a more physically gifted Zach Strief. They are both 6'7'' tackles with long arms, but Peat's ceiling is much higher. He could be an all pro. You can't keep this guy on the bench. If he's not the starter, he will see the field a lot in heavy, unbalanced lines this year.

This brings me to two objections I've seen repeatedly.

"So we're going to be paying 4 mil a year for a backup?"

and

"So we spent the 13th pick on a right tackle?"

First off, if you have more production and great depth at the tackle position to where you never have to play Bryce Harris, is that not worth 4 mil a year? That could mean the difference between winning one or two games. It is also highly probable that the team will ask Strief to take a pay cut after the season.

Secondly, the distinction between left and right tackle is becoming less important. Teams play in sub-packages most of the time. In passing situations, when the pressure is on, teams are looking to put their best pass rushers on the field. They're not sitting there saying "Well, you have the strength to set the edge and the athleticism to cover tight-ends, so why don't you go out and rush the quarterback off the strong side against their 5 receiver set?" While it is true that the teams most talented pass rusher does rush mostly from the blind side, they will rush from the strong side at times in an attempt to create a mismatch. Then you have exotic blitzes, stunts and overloaded fronts. You need capable pass blockers on both sides in today's NFL.

There is also the distinct possibility that there could be some position changes along the offensive line. While Sean Payton said there were no plans for any of their tackles to play guard, Peat's position coach may have clued us in that it's at least been discussed.

From Larry Holder's article on Nola.com:

"What we have to find out for next season is who are our best five players and how do we put them on the field at the same time," Saints offensive line coach Bret Ingalls said after Saturday's practice. "I can't answer that question today, but that's the goal. Put the best five players out there.
"If he's playing tackle or if he's playing guard or if he's playing wherever he's playing, we're going to find the best five guys. Talent-wise, I think he's capable of contributing." 

You can read the rest here.

There have been questions to whether or not Brees could see the field with a 6'7" guard. The truth is Brees has always been short and has developed ways to compensate. He tends to drop back deeper than most quarterbacks to give him more time and a greater view of the field. He'll tilt his head back and stand on the tips of his toes to get every last bit of height out of his 6'0" frame. His footwork is one of the best in the league and he's a master of maneuvering around in the pocket to see through passing lanes and avoid pressure. Things fall apart for him when he's pressured up the middle. If Brees has a clean pocket the added height in front of him might be negligible.

The selection of Andrus Peat was uncharacteristic, and here's to many more like it.

Saints look to Shrink the Field in 2015

(Marcus Murphy during rookie mini camp)

The Saints had nine picks heading into the draft and surprised everyone by using all nine. Payton stated that the picks acquired during the off-season would be use to shore up the defense. He was true to his word, and the team picked 6 defensive players and 2 offensive players going into the 7th round.

During the later rounds in the draft teams are usually looking for raw physical specimens, long term projects. Maybe you take a flyer on a player who fell because of an injury that will take some time to come back from. The Saints went a different direction with their 7th round pick, and it might pay off more than people initially thought.

RB Marcus Murphy out of Mizzou was one of the highest ranked KR/PR in the draft. Murphy was a prolific returner during his college career. He averaged 29.6 per kick return and 10.4 per punt return his senior year. In comparison, the Saints averaged 25.9 yards per kick return and 7.1 per punt return last year, ranking them 30th and 31th in the league. Jalen Saunders joined the team during the latter half of the year and provided a spark in the return game. However, Saunders isn't much more than a returner at this point in his career, registering 1 catch for 7 yards in two seasons.

Travaris Cadet was the primary kick returner the past three years but was mostly below average. The team tried Brandin Cooks at punt returner last year, but he never looked comfortable.

Murphy is a natural returner with fearlessness and vision. Murphy will never be a featured back he's not a one trick pony. He's a capable runner and even lines up in the slot. Murphy possesses excellent balance and is elusive, which makes him hard to bring down. C.J. Spiller has an injury history and he could fill in for Spiller in a pinch or rotate to save wear and tear on the former 1st rounder. If Murphy beats out Saunders as return specialist it would save a valuable roster spot elsewhere, which is huge because the team may have to keep 3 quarterbacks on the active roster this year.

Ever since their Super Bowl winning year the team has stressed the importance of winning the turnover battle. You keep your own drives alive while giving your offense extra opportunities to score. Winning the field position battle can also swing the direction of the scoreboard. A good return can mean the difference between a field goal and punting. Touch-backs are more common since the league moved kick-offs to the 35 yard line, but when it is returnable , it's nice to have someone who can get it past the 20 yard line and beyond. The Saints were routinely having to drive the length of the filed yielding more yards than points. While they finished 1st in yards, they came in 9th for points per game at 25.1. The defense ranked 28th in points per game averaging 26.5. The thought behind picking Murphy makes a lot of sense: pick a player who will most likely spend years on the practice squad (if they makes it at all) or draft one of the top kick returners who can play right away.

He is small in stature (5'9") but has decent weight on his small frame (193 lbs). He ran in the 4.6's at the combine but managed to post a 4.53 and a 4.57 at his pro-day. He looks fast enough on film and played in a major conference.

If you haven't watched it yet, do yourself a favor and watch his highlights:Highlights

Why an Undefined Vaccaro Isn't a Bad Thing.

When Kenny Vaccaro was drafted 15th overall, most of the fan-base hated the pick. Many, including myself, were crying out for a pass rusher.

“How could you pick a safety with Jarvis Jones on the board?”

It’s worth pointing out that the much lauded pass rusher has managed only 3 sacks in two seasons in Pittsburgh.

Perceptions changed once Vaccaro suited up. The rookie was feisty in practice, laying into established veterans without hesitation. He would seemingly coming out of nowhere to lay his shoulder into someone or slam people into the ground. Vaccaro was all over the field, lining up at nickel corner, dropping into zone, blitzing off the edge and even played some outside linebacker in sub-packages. He brought a physicality and nastiness that the secondary had lacked for some time. The defense fed off of his energy. His performance was instrumental in turning around the worst defense in NFL history, finishing the year ranked 4th overall. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said that he had never thrown that much at a rookie, and while he had his share of mistakes, Vaccaro thrived before breaking his ankle week 16 in Carolina.

(Vaccaro being carted off in Carolina)

He performed so well that the team felt comfortable cutting ties with fellow strong safety Roman Harper. They let Malcolm Jenkins explore free agency and replaced him with Jairus Byrd.The team looked to rival Seattle as one of the best safety tandems in the NFL.

It was reported that Vaccaro would have a more “defined” role in 2014. The logic behind the move seemed sound. With a more focused role, Vaccaro would be able to refine his game and build off the success of his rookie year, but there were a couple of problems.

For one Vaccaro was tentative coming back from injury. There’s the residual pain to contend with, but perhaps the bigger hurdle is the mental one. Re-injury is an ever present threat. It takes time to regain trust in your body. Vaccaro is more quick than fast, and the hesitation nullified a good portion of his quickness. This delayed reaction time manifested itself in missed tackles. Vaccaro recorded only 3 missed tackles in 2013, but that number ballooned to 18 in 2014.

It wasn't just hesitation. It’s quite possible that the coaching staff had something different in mind before the season started, but how he was used to begin the year really didn't fit his skill set. The team realized towards the end of the pre-season just how deficient they were at corner and played a lot of off man and zone to compensate. It never suited him. While he can play deep from time to time, he’s a box safety if there ever was one. It’s not due to a lack of athleticism. He needs to be near the action and to freely move around. I don't know if calling a football player near sighted is something that's done, but it really does apply to him. He was “benched” later in the year, and his performance improved after he was used in a fashion more similar his 2013 season.

(Vaccaro making his first career interception)

Vaccaro should be on the upswing after a full year of being healthy and a return to a more comfortable role. The biggest factor that could improve his play is the surrounding cast.

During a bulk of 2013 the Saints had a competent pair of starting corners in Keenan Lewis and Jabari Greer. This allowed Ryan to be creative and play a lot of 3 safety sets and other creative coverages. Vaccaro and Jenkins moved around quite a bit and both spent time in the slot. Roman Harper was used in a limited role closed to the line of scrimmage, and Rafael Bush was mostly used as a deep safety. All four of these players had flaws in their game, but Jenkins and Harper in particular provided veteran leadership. Rob Ryan was able to play to their strengths while covering up a good bit of their weaknesses. Even after losing Greer for the season in week 11, the Saints were able to compensate, although his loss was felt.

Last year there was no complement to Keenan Lewis, and there no solid nickel back play until later in the year, when Patrick Robinson filled the role rather well. Both starting safeties started out the year being misused and then injuries began to deplete the position. The communication and leadership they had over the years was no longer there. The front office went into free agency and the draft wanting to add high character guys who have a passion for football. If the Saints had enough of those players last year they probably don't lose their last 5 home games and miss the playoffs. The team was successful in adding depth, talent and leadership in the secondary.

Before the free agency period started they signed CFL star corner Delvin Breaux, who Payton sees as an outside corner. Breaux was recruited by LSU, but due to a neck injury sustain in high school he was never able to suit up for the Tigers. He possesses real NFL physical attributes and talent and Keenan Lewis predicted that he'll be a starter by the end of the year. Early into the free agency period they signed former Seattle and New England corner Brandon Browner. Browner brings a physical style of play, press man abilities and a much needed locker room enforcer. Right before the draft they signed former first round pick Kyle Wilson, who was brought into compete for the nickel position. Wilson is much like departed 1st round pick Patrick Robinson. While he never lived up to his draft status he proved to be somewhat useful as a nickel back. P.J. Williams was drafted in the 3rd round. He was originally projected as a late first/early second round pick, but fell due to a DUI charge that was later dropped. He will also compete for the starting nickel position, but offers some versatility as he can play outside corner as well. Williams looks to be an eventual starter. Trading back into the 5th round, the Saints took Damian Swann from Georgia. Swann has a skill set similar to Malcolm Jenkins, being able to play nickel corner and safety. Last years second round pick Stanley Jean-Baptist could wind up benefiting from the new additions as the team finally has the personnel to play press man, which is what he's most comfortable with. With the starting corners solidified, improved depth and real competition at the nickel position, Vaccaro should be free to do what comes natural to him, which is a little bit of everything.

Last Chance Andy

From what I gather, "Last Chance Harvey" was a 2008 Dustin Hoffman film about a man who's sad and walks around a city with a woman to make himself feel better.

 But we're not talking about Dustin Hoffman, and this ain't no movie. This is real.

Andy Tanner has managed to stick around with the Saints going on 5 years now. This might be the best chance he'll ever have to make and stay on the 53 man roster.

I feel for the guy. I really do. He's the girl that came out of the bathroom after couple's skating had already started, eating a snow cone and everyone thought she was gross.

He's Mitt's little known son who never manages to make it into family pictures, Zipp Romney.

Tavon Rooks hire him as his image consultant.

As luck would have it, the Saints did not draft a wide receiver. They did bring back Joe Morgan, and recently signed Josh Morgan, R.J. Harris and Kyle Prater. Morgan and Tanner have different skill sets. R.J. Harris and Kyle Prater are long shots. Josh Morgan is more known for his run blocking than anything.

When you look at the roster you really don't see another true slot receiver in the traditional sense, although Cooks and Colston will run their fair share of snaps out of the slot.

It's for these reasons that Andy Tanner Mania has taken over. It's all anyone can talk about. Check out this thread on tigerdroppings: Could Andy Tanner fill a Lance Moore type of role?

                                    

Calm down you guys. He's just a high motor gym rat who's a coach on the field. Sheesh.

The Saints Pass Rush Could See a Mad Dash in 2015.

 If you had to sum up this off-season in one word, you might use the word "shift." 

The 2014 New Orleans Saints came into the season with high expectations. They were a popular pick to go to the Super Bowl by fans and pundits alike. They went into the off-season with momentum, coming off a bounce back year. Returning from his year long suspension, Sean Payton brought back consistency and competitiveness, recording an 11-5 record and winning their first road playoff game in franchise history. Although the season ended with a tough loss on the road in Seattle, they were optimistic and approached the off-season aggressively.

The team felt that they had a young core group of talented players which allowed them to shed cap space. They jettisoned long tenured veterans such as Lance Moore, Roman Harper and Will Smith. Malcolm Jenkins signed a lucrative deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, where the Saints also traded fellow teammate Darren Sproles for a 5th round pick. They surprised everyone and signed ball-hawking free safety Jairus Byrd, and traded up in the draft to take speedy receiver Brandin Cooks. The Saints seemed like they were a couple of players away, a few minor tweaks from making a deep playoff run. A large part of this optimism had to do with the strength of the defensive line. The team stayed relatively healthy during training camp and pre-season and looked primed to reach the lofty goals they set for themselves.

Then the season started.

After jumping out to an early lead in Atlanta, the Falcons offense came roaring back, setting a franchise record for yards in a game. The defense had no answers and it snowballed. That snowball rolled all the way to Raymond James Stadium.

Probably the low point of the season was in week 14. With the division on the line, the Saints hosted their division rivals and 2013 NFC South champs, the Carolina Panthers. Already down 10-0, the Panthers were threatening to score again. It was 3rd and 1 at the Saints 2 yard line. The ball was snapped and Cam Newton ran easily into the end zone. Newton proceeded to jaw in the face of the Saints defense and a fight broke out. You might have thought that the team had awaken and was ready to climb back into the game. Instead it was just a paper tiger flexing its two dimensional muscle. Cam and the rest of the Panthers continued to dominate the Saints. The final was 41-10, and that doesn't even do justice to how lopsided it actually was.

No one really knows what the talks were like after the season was over, but Payton was quoted as saying that this wasn't going to be some band-aid fix. Everyone was being evaluated. The man really undersold just how drastic the shift was going to be. Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills and Ben Grubbs were all traded. Curtis Lofton, the teams defensive captain and leading tackler, was cut. Pierre Thomas, a fan favorite and screen pass artist, was let go.

(While productive, pass rusher Junior Galette is on thin ice)

Then there was Junior Galette. The talented yet immature pass rusher had possible criminal charges and a potential multi-game suspension looming over his head. Sean Payton was not happy and looked to ship him to another team. After failing to find a trading partner, the Saints were forced to restructure his contract to get under the cap, securing his roster spot for 2015. If not for the structure of his contract that he had signed right before the 2014 season, he probably would have been cut.

In a strange twist, this could wind up paying dividends for the Saints this year. Galette doesn't know if he'll be back next season. There's a very good chance that he gets traded or cut. Galette doesn't want to go into the free agent market as a troubled player coming off a down year. Unlike last year, he'll have competition. 2nd round pick Hau'oli Kikaha is primed to play a lot of snaps in 2015 and seems like a logical replacement for Galette if the Saints should part ways at the conclusion of the season. Kasim Edebali played well in limited snaps last year and could provide the team with depth and flexibility going into 2016. With future earnings on the line, Galette has plenty of motivation to be productive, and so do fellow teammates Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks.

(Akiem Hicks and Cam Jordan look to reestablish themselves in 2015)

Cam Jordan recorded 12.5 sacks in 2013, but only managed 7.5 in 2014. While sack numbers aren't always a reliable indicator of overall performance, Cam Jordan was near invisible for stretches last year. Akiem Hicks was himself ghost like at times, although it did come out that he was battling an ankle injury, which is troublesome for a 320 lb man. Bottom line, both players were disappointments and they can't afford to repeat.

"Contract year" isn't just a buzzword. It's the proverbial carrot on the stick that IS the player's career. On average it only last three years, and if you're fortunate to make it to that second contract, you want it to count. Contract years offer players their greatest chance to increase their earning potential since events like the NFL Combine or the Senior Bowl.

It's been said that Sean Payton likes to manufacture crisis, but a trio of them have fallen into his lap. He has three high profile players with uncertain futures and money on the line. Reality is slapping them in the face and asking "Are you going to do something, or just stand there and bleed?"

Two Undrafted Players that Have a Good Chance to Make the Roster.

After the draft is over, that's when the real draft begins, or something.

The Saints attract quality players during the UDFA period because of their history of giving players a  real opportunity to make the team. Pierre Thomas was a mainstay in the offense for years, and Junior Galette eventually earned a starting role and a sizable contract. Josh Hill is slotted as the starting tight end after the Jimmy Graham trade. While the starting lineup is all but cemented, there are a handful of spots primed for an UDFA to make it as rotational and special teams players.

1. Sean Hickey. OL Syracuse.
   

   

   (Hickey going against first round pick Vic Beasley)

   
   While he was projected as a late round pick, Hickey fell completely out of the draft. I suspect it had a lot to do with his short arms (32 3/4") and smaller lower body. He played left tackle in college, but I think he projects as a LG in the pros. He'll need to put work in the weight room, but he could prove valuable as a back up guard and swing tackle in a pinch. If he performs well during training camp and pre-season, it would allow for some more flexibility during final cuts.
   
   While possibly bias, Hickey drew high praise for New York Giants lineman and fellow Syracuse alumni Justin Pugh:
   
   "Everyone is saying Beasley ‐ and I haven't seen much of Beasley ‐ but all I know is Sean Hickey shut him down two years in a row. And that kid is supposed to be a Top 10 pick," Pugh said. "So if he's a Top 10 pick and Sean handled him, Sean should be up there too."
   Giants' Justin Pugh makes case for Syracuse offensive lineman Sean Hickey to be 1st-round pick
   
   Sean Hickey vs. PSU
2. Bobby Richardson, DL Indiana

   

   (Richardson could add some much needed toughness to the Saints defensive line)

   Richardson was projected to go anywhere from the 3rd-5th round. He's 6'3", 283 lbs with long arms and big hands. His long arms could be a huge asset for batting down passes and snatching ball carriers going through gaps or going around the outside.  He's athletic for his size and has a high motor, making plays down field in pursuit. Richardson is quick off the line and disrupts running plays in the backfield. Not just a hard hitter, Richardson plants running backs and quarterbacks into the ground. His hands are large and has a strong grip. Wraps up violently around the torso which leads to forced fumbles.
   
   He fits in with the rest of the draft class: high effort guys who are passionate about the game. He could wind up backing up Cam Jordan. With the departure of Tyrunn Walker and lack of depth, Richardson has a golden opportunity to make the team.
    
   Bobby Richardson Highlights 

What is Obvious after the Off-Season

After a whirlwind of an off-season, things on Airline Drive are starting to settle.

While it's been reported that Kevin Williams and Da'quan Bowers have visited the team, we're pretty much looking at the players that will make up the Saints 2015 roster. For the inaugural post I thought I'd share what is obvious after the off-season.

1. The Saints will play a lot of press man. 

   

   (The addition of Dennis Allen means a more aggressive and physical secondary)

   I'm sure they would have liked to do this last year, but a combination of things just didn't allow for it. The Champ Bailey Experience never came to fruition. Stanley Jean-Baptist wasn't near ready for prime time. Patrick Robinson was better suited for the slot. Corey White was too busy struggling with football to play corner. Never mind playing press man. The Saints didn't have a #2 corner back.
   
   Why do I think we'll play a lot of press man?
   
   Primarily because the additions of Dennis Allen, Brandon Browner and P.J. Williams. Kyle Wilson to a lesser extent, but he does come from a press man background.
   
   Dennis Allen didn't succeed as a head coach, but few could in Oakland. He was part of the staff in 2009 as defensive backs coach, and they played a lot of press man that year. Browner and Williams gives the secondary a mean and physical presence. While they may draw some flags, they won't be pushed around and nothing will come easy.
   
   This could wind up working out rather well for Stanley Jean-Baptist. One of the knocks on SJB coming out of college is that he struggled with off man and zone, and was strictly a press guy. That combined with his rawness is probably why he never saw the field. Most NFL players make their biggest leaps from year one to year two, so this year will be telling for him. The scheme will match his skill set so there's no excuse.
   
   The Saints paid Byrd a lot of money, and even before his injury, his skill set was going to waste. The Saints were playing off man or zone, and Byrd was regularly lined up 30 + yards off the line of scrimmage, baby sitting Robinson or White. The pass rush also suffered due to the quick pass readily available. Press man gives both the pass rush and Byrd the chance to succeed.
2. Jeff Ireland influence was huge. 

   

   (Jeff Ireland and Mickey Loomis watching NFL prospects)

   
   This years draft was a welcomed change. While I'm sure trades were discussed, the Saints weren't their normal caviler selves. They pulled a minor trade, jumping back into the 5th round, only sacrificing a 6th round pick in 2016. Loomis was quoted as saying that Jeff was often the voice of reason in the draft room. Before the draft many thought there was no way that the Saints would end the draft with 9 picks, but they did. The team has been a lot more miss than hit in recent drafts and they really needed each one of these 9 picks. In fact I was hoping that they'd trade down and collect some more picks.
   
   What I liked most about this draft is that the linebacker position was finally taken seriously. Some pundits and fans criticized the Saints taking Stephone Anthony at 31, saying they could have gotten him in the 2nd round. For one, there's absolutely no way you can know that. Mock drafts are not an accurate depiction of what NFL boards look like. Secondly, if you believe that Anthony will be the signal caller and tone setter for your defense, then you want that 5th year option. It was the right decision.
   
   I was a little leery when they picked Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round only because of his past ACL tears, but after I saw the last one was in 2012 and he's been playing ever since, I was more on board. You can't help but love his production and tenacity. While he's soft spoken he plays mean. I think he could take over SAM by mid year if not sooner, but he'll definitely see pass rush snaps immediately. He could eventually move over to Galette's spot once he's done in New Orleans (which might be after the season). I could see Davis Tull developing into the starting SAM down the road. Tull can also contribute immediately on 3rd down situations, but I think he'll mostly contribute on special teams this year.
   
   Dannel Ellerbe and Anthony Spencer provide good veteran leadership that was missing on the defense last year. The Saints could get some decent production out of them too.
3. They are serious about the running game.

   

   (Mark Ingram earned a 2nd contract with his consistent performance in 2014)

   Some of the signs are obvious. The Saints traded their best receiving threat for an all-pro center. They resigned Mark Ingram who proved that he could be a workhorse back. They drafted an offensive tackle with the 13th pick when many didn't consider it an immediate need (I actually disagree with that, but I was shocked they addressed it that high). One sign is less obvious.
   
   It was assumed that the Saints would do something with Drew Brees's contract this off-season. Both Brees and Loomis were asked if it had been discussed. The answers were kept short. People speculated that the new emphasis on the running game was in part to extend Drew's career, but I think it was done to extend the Payton/Loomis tenure.
   
   Garrett Grayson played in a pro-style offense in college, and particularly excelled at play action passing. He may or may not be the successor to Brees, but this team is being remade for someone like him. The commitment is clear. If you're going to emphasize the running game and the defense, if you're going to pour your resources into that (as they have), you just don't continue to pay your quarterback top dollar.
   
   The good news is this transition won't mean lost years like it would for many NFL teams. While they won't be the favorites in the NFC, the Saints will have a legitimate chance to compete for a title while Brees is still here if these corrections prove to be effective.
   
   PADDY MAN OUT