There isn’t an easier guy to root for in New Orleans than Delvin Breaux. Getting behind a hometown guy like Breaux is always comfortable. Additionally, it makes the connection between athlete and fan a seamless one. From his high school days at McDonogh High, to his LSU scholarship, to his days on the Louisiana Bayou Vipers of the GDFL, Breaux has played in front of his hometown fans his entire career. His voyage, fittingly, led him to become the starting cornerback of the New Orleans Saints. It’s this connection to Breaux that makes his current situation such a tough one to handle.
The Future for Delvin Breaux in New Orleans
Breaux burst onto the scene and in 2015 and immediately became a leader in the New Orleans Saints secondary. However, his highly-anticipated 2016 campaign was immediately met with disappointment. Breaux broke his fibula in week one in a one point loss to the Oakland Raiders. Breaux returned in week 12 from the fibula, only to see another injury. He missed the last two games of the year with shoulder issues.
2017 hasn’t started off any better for Delvin Breaux. The third-year cornerback has been sidelined with a left leg issue (originally thought to be a contusion) throughout training camp thus far. The Saints coaching staff began showing their frustration and sent Breaux for an X-ray which has revealed an apparently more serious issue. Breaux is currently using the aid of crutches and a walking boot to get around.
What’s Next for Breaux
With the growing frustration looming, it’s been reported that Delvin Breaux’s name has come up in trade talks. Head coach Sean Payton has declined to comment, which is no surprise, as he likes to keep important information at an arm’s length. With his continued physical concerns, it’s tough to gauge the trade value for Delvin Breaux should the Saints want to shop him. There is no doubt about his skills when healthy, but counting on Breaux for a full season of football is tough to do at this point.
What’s Next for the New Orleans Saints
Without a doubt, Delvin Breaux was an important part of the plan for the Saints on the defensive side of the ball in 2017. If the Saints and Breaux part ways, it creates a void in the secondary, a secondary that an incredible amount of injury issues in 2016. Someone from the young group of cornerbacks will have to step up. The prevailing thought is that P.J. Williams would be the one to fill the role for the majority of snaps, opposite first-round draft pick Marshon Lattimore. However, personnel from Dennis Allen‘s creative schemes will most likely vary depending on down, distance, and opponent.
If there is any silver lining to this situation, it’s that the New Orleans Saints have time to react to the news of Breaux’s more extensive injury. The next three pre-season games have become even more important to find the right fit in the secondary. In a division littered with quarterback talent (Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston), it’s imperative to get the corners and safeties gelling prior to week one.
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