New Orleans Saints news and notes

2010 NFL Draft in review: New Orleans Saints

I think a lot of people were surprised when the Saints passed on DT Brian Price with the last pick in the first round, and instead took CB Patrick Robinson, especially since they took a corner with their first pick in the 2009 draft. However I think we are seeing a change in how teams are constructed. In a passing league and the NFL is still that, corners become very important. The Saints now have a trio of skilled corners and we may see them run a myriad of exotic nickel and dime packages to get them all on the field.

What should the New Orleans Saints do with their first round draft pick?

The last pick in the first round, may be the hardest to predict. A lot of what the Saints will do will be predicated on what happens in the 31 picks before they get a shot to select anyone.

What are the needs of the New Orleans Saints heading into the 2010 season?

What does a team coming off a Super Bowl really need? It seems there are two glaring needs one at OLB, and because of free agency at both safety positions. Those are the two or three primary needs of this team.

Draft Day decision makers: New Orleans Saints

Mickey Loomis has been the Saints General Manger since 2002, after spending 15 years with the Seattle Seahawks. He works hand in hand with Head Coach Sean Payton on draft day. Payton is an excellent evaluator of offensive talent, and this team has done very well in the draft. Khai Hartley is their Director of Football operations, Rick Reiprish is their Director of College Scouting, and all will have a seat in the war room on draft day. They of course will be joined by their full complement of scouts.

2009 NFL draft one year later: New Orleans Saints

We can look at the 2009 draft of the saints in a lot of different ways. Since two of their four picks went down to injury there is a strong feeling to give them an incomplete grade, since they won the Super Bowl we can easily give them a pass, but we can also point out that 2009 was not a great draft for this team. Does it really mater? Not so much now, but this team could regret not going in a different direction in the 2009 draft day down the road. One year ago I gave them high marks, understanding the logic behind the moves, they didn’t work out (at least in the short term), but the Super Bowl Champions get a lot of leeway.

2009 NFL season in review: New Orleans Saints

Finally we come to the reining Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. They won the Super Bowl in their very first apperance in the big game, and we got to believe the San Diego Chargers are kicking themselves for letting QB Drew Brees get away from them. We know the general rule bad NFL teams make bad decisions, and good NFL teams know when to take a risk on a player or two. The Saints have become a good NFL team, and an excellent NFL organization. I can think of no city that deserves a Super Bowl win more, well maybe Detroit.

2009 New Orleans Saints draft analysis

After finishing the 2008 regular season 8-8, some say unfairly since they had to spend a week in London, England, the saint approached the 2009 draft without a glaring need on either side of the ball. That is a good thing since due to their dealing; they had just four draft picks in this draft.

 2003 NFL draft pick by pick: #6 DT Johnathan Sullivan

It would seem that despite a strong rookie campaign, in which Johnathan Sullivan recorded 38 tackles, a sack, and started in 13 games his rookie year, and was named to the Pro Football Weekly’s All rookie team that Sullivan is the third bust of the 2003 draft.