I can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into the beginning of a new season for any of the general managers and head coaches around the NFL. Difficult decisions to make for the “good” of the team. Salary caps, contract renewals, trades, offer sheets, free agency market, draft, the definition of the word “stress” can’t possibly explain the amount of pure emotion that goes hand-in-hand with all of those things.
To try to comprehend what goes into choosing who goes and who stays in something. It’s certainly much easier said than done. If the decisions made during the off-season come back to haunt the decision-makers, those very people may find themselves in their own free agency of sorts the next year, and sometimes sooner than that.
All that said, I’m going to lay out the moves I would make if I were given carte blanche as the New Orleans Saints GM–you know, just in case the Saints ever need my expertise in the future.
Sign Jimmy Graham to a New Contract
Let’s be honest; most players on a roster are asked at one point or another to line-up or make a move to a different position than they originally inked their contract at. That’s just how it goes. Just like a vow of marriage, for better or worse you do what it takes to get down the field and win games. Although I don’t think Graham will push the envelope of lining up at wide receiver more or less than his “titled” position calls for, I do believe that another team not as cash strapped as the Saints could come in under the radar and offer him one hell of a deal at some point down the road–and why wouldn’t they?
The record breaking tight end is worth much more than the amount that franchise tag gives him credit for. Any team that would like to secure a young, healthy tight end of Jimmy Graham’s caliber would jump at the chance if he were to hit the free agent market. Therefore, Loomis’ biggest job this off-season is to lock up Graham, and for longer than just the one-year franchise tender would be.
Address The Secondary
I still don’t understand why Mickey Loomis went out and signed another safety in Marcus Ball. We all know that Jarius Byrd was given a big money deal as free agency opened. With this done, and Kenny Vaccaro drafted last year, I believe that the position that was far more important to address was cornerback. Yes, Champ Bailey was signed last week. This came just a day after Marcus Ball was signed.
At first glance, I can say I was very unsure of this decision. Is Champ Bailey too far past his prime? Will the previous year’s nagging injury be a factor? He only played in five games including the Superbowl in 2013 season with the Denver Broncos, which could be a plus or a minus in this situation. A plus because less play meant more rest on that foot injury. A minus because the injury may be a sign of things to come given his age. Even with Champ Bailey on the roster, another corner may be necessary given that injury history, his potential to slow down with age, and the Saints problems stopping the passing game last season.
Then there is the signing of Marcus Ball, which again baffled me. While I agree that a strong group of safeties takes the pressure off of the corner backs and allows them to be more productive and offers more support on the field they may not have had the previous year. Marcus Ball spent last season with the Toronto Argos in the CFL. How much of an impact is he really expected to have, and is this the player the Saints should spend their time chasing when they already have two star safeties and really need help at corner? I don’t believe it is the best use of the available cap space, which is in short supply for the Saints this off-season.
Although having a safety waiting in the wings who has ample experience is a good thing in case of an injury to another, but had I had been GM for the day, my sights would’ve been set on securing an experienced, tried and true, ride or die safety Rafael Bush. While this did happen, it was only after the Atlanta Falcons offered a tender for him. While it was not something that happened with the swiftness I would’ve liked, especially after the signing of Ball, my confidence in the decision makers was bolstered after the Saints secured Bush. I’m from the old school; loyalty to the players who have proven to be a vital part of your team in years past mold. I believe that this loyalty can pay dividends down the road.
New Orleans Saints GM on Draft Day
Going into the draft, the Saints need to be aggressive and assertive. There is talk of New Orleans picking up a quarterback in the second round which I hope is just that–TALK. The Saints have a perfectly capable back-up quarterback in Luke McCown and an up-and-comer in Ryan Griffin IV (RG4 if you will). So the urgency of that move is undesirable in the grand scheme of things.
Cornerback and wide receiver should be where the Saints go in the first two rounds, either in that order or vice-versa. I’ve already talked about the need for a corner. At wide receiver a player is needed to replace Lance Moore.
Darren Sproles
I couldn’t leave this column without touching on the one move that absolutely disgusted me and still and probably will forever bother me: the trading of Darren Sproles. Say what you will, there will never be anything anyone could say to me that will ever convince me that it was a move made for the “good” of the team. Maybe for the “good” of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Saints have claimed that the move was made due to Sproles age and recent performance, as well as freeing up cash and cap space. Age? I don’t get it, Darren Sproles is only 30 years old, is there an expiration date on a player in any position? Apparently Philadelphia wasn’t too concerned about his age. Performance? Sproles may not have had a repeat of his best season with the Saints (2011) but he held it down just fine in kick and punt returns as well in his stats in rushing and receiving yards. Maybe with a better set of plays, designed to utilize Sproles’ talents, he may have just had a better season than 2011.
With an oh-so-readable offense, the Saints should sometimes look for some new offensive plays designed FOR the run and not relying so much on the big pass plays. Getting first downs to get down the field and to set up the big pass plays to the receiving corps. Consistent running plays to get first downs equals getting the ball into the endzone, and means six points instead of settling for three.
Kicker
This brings me to my last task if I were GM for the day: kicker. The release of Garret Hartley didn’t surprise me, but I wonder if the Saints will find a quality replacement for him. Shayne Graham did a great job in the final divisional game against the Carolina Panthers, and he did excellent in the 1st round of the playoffs against the Eagles, but then there was Seattle. That game brought back flashbacks of the Grammatica days. So wishy-washy, unsure, and just down right sucked. So as my last task I would seek out a reliable and qualified kicker in the NFL draft. The ability to consistently make kicks and put points on the board makes this a valuable position in my book.
Thats what I would do if I were General Manager of the New Orleans Saints for the day, and if the Saints need a pair of fresh eyes in future they know where to find me.
-Who Dat
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