New Orleans Saints News
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February 8, 2012
Posted by New Orleans Saints Newsc6ab36 in New Orleans Saints News, Topix - Saints Search
NFL Offseason 2012: New Orleans Saints Potential FA Acquisition D'Qwell Jackson
Today's article is the second of a running series on the Saints' free agent and draft targets.
Click to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints News
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February 8, 2012
Posted by New Orleans Saints Newsc6ab36 in New Orleans Saints News, Topix - Saints Search
New Orleans Saints make an official announcement on hirings on the coaching staff
Spagnuolo, who has been on the job in New Orleans for nearly two weeks, comes with a strong defensive rA©sumA©. He spent the past three years as the head coach of the Rams.
Click to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints News
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New Orleans Saints make an official announcement on hirings on the coaching staff
It has been known for a while that Spagnuola was the defensive coordinatorClick to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints Central
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February 8, 2012
Posted by Will Osgood in New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Saints News, NFC South, nfl
NFL Offseason 2012: New Orleans Saints Potential FA Acquisition D'Qwell Jackson
Today's article is the second of a running series on the Saints' free agent and draft targets. The first was a profile of the Chargers’ Vincent Jackson.
In 2011, the New Orleans Saints' linebackers were arguably the finest group on the defense. Jo-Lonn Dunbar stepped in for defensive captain Jon Vilma, and the defense actually played better during this time.
But Dunbar also showed an ability to step outside upon Vilma's return and play solidly on the edge. With that said, the Saints are in position to potentially add one of the finest players in the game in his prime.
The player I am speaking of is of course Cleveland Browns middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. In the 2011 season, the six-year veteran recorded a career-high 158 tackles—a tally good equaling almost 10 tackles per game.
In addition to that ridiculous number, Jackson also managed 3.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble. Playing on a poor team—but an underrated defense—Jackson stood out as a playmaker.
Though these numbers served as a career year for the Maryland product, they are quite parallel for the rest of his career. Over his six-year pro career D’Qwell has been right around 10 tackles per game every season. His main improvement came in his playmaking ability, though in 2009 those numbers began to improve.
One benefit the Saints—or any other team in the sweepstakes for his services—will appreciate is a reduced cost due to his missing the entire season in 2010. This will drive the cost down on his value, thus making him more affordable than most players of his caliber.
Those are just some of the factors in play when it comes to the potential acquisition of one D’Qwell Jackson. Following is a scouting report—similar to the type Director of Pro Scouting Ryan Pace would undertake for the Saints, and likely has been doing on the Jackson’s and other potential Saints free agent targets.
Pros
There is a ton to like about the 28-year-old D’Qwell Jackson. First among those is the toughness and attitude he exhibited despite playing on a relatively poor football team. Despite knowing his team was out of contention for much of the second half of the 2011 season, he kept fighting hard and played just about every defensive down for his team.
In addition to that, Jackson proved himself to be the ultimate team player as his production all came within the scope of the defense. He always played his assignment which actually made him a better football player. Along those lines, Jackson found himself around the football on nearly every play.
He exhibited great range in zone coverage combined with exceptional football instincts whether we’re talking run or pass. And he excels in taking great angles to the football, something that cannot be said about all of the Saints defenders. This attribute is one reason he wraps up as well as any defender in the league.
Among his other impressive traits are his ability to ward off blockers using his hands and great effort. Part of that is due to superior athleticism, part of it due to great effort. Either way, there's a lot to like about this linebacker just coming into his prime.
Cons
After four full games of tape study, I came up with just three marks against Jackson—and I don’t even feel confident bringing these up in such a forum. But at the risk of making Jackson sound like the best player to ever play the game, here are just a couple things Jackson needs to improve upon.
Against zone runs, Jackson’s instincts tend to take over causing him to fly up quickly into a wide open hole and get eaten up by offensive linemen. Second, despite exceptional athleticism and effort, Jackson tends to lack sideline-to-sideline range—which is common for middle linebackers. And though he won’t be asked to do much blitzing in a New Orleans defense, it should be noted he lacks elite pass-rushing skills.
Two questions come to mind in terms of Jackson’s ability to play in the New Orleans defense. First off, can he improve the Saints’ linebackers man-to-man coverage abilities? Second, what would happen should the Saints decide to sign Jackson and keep Jonathan Vilma? Could the two co-exist?
Jackson’s Role in New Orleans Should He Be Signed
I’ll answer the latter question first. If the Saints decide to pursue Jackson and are able to ink him to a deal, Vilma would likely be out. It isn’t so much that the two could not co-exist but more that the Saints would be better off with Jackson-Dunbar-Casillas starting core than any other potential combination of players the Saints could role out.
Because Jo-Lonn Dunbar proved this season he could play the middle and outside, Dunbar would move outside, and Jackson would assume control of the Saints defense. If the Saints are to make such a move why not now when they are also switching to a new defensive coordinator?
Jackson would obviously call the defense and immediately improve the Saints' ability wrap up ball-carriers. The run defense would improve its ability to eliminate big runs and deep throws over the middle would become a less effective option on the Saints defense.
The Saints defense would become a more physical unit who tends to intimidate opposing offenses. And Jackson would help improve pass coverage giving the front four more time to effectively rush the passer.
It’s hard to imagine a negative aspect to such a move. Only time will tell how well it would actually work should it happen.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
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New Orleans Saints: Why Steve Spagnuolo Will Make Greg Romeus a Star
Greg Romeus is a player that most New Orleans Saints fan have never heard of. I can guarantee you that new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows exactly who he is, and will be looking forward to working with this young gun.
Romeus is a defensive end that the Saints picked up in the seventh round of last year's draft.
While at Pittsbugh, Romeus was considered one of the top defensive ends in the nation. His potential seemed limitless, and the talks were that this defensive standout could go in the first round of the NFL draft.
However, in his senior season, Romeus suffered a torn ACL, and was unable to participate in many of the exercises at the NFL Combine and at Pitt's pro day.
NFL teams began to worry about Romeus' durability, and the recovery of his knee. As we all know, health is a big issue in the National Football league, and teams very rarely take a chance on a player that has a serious injury.
This is exactly what happened to Romeus in last year's NFL draft.
The scouts had first talked about him going in the first round, or early second at the latest. As his injury became more and more apparent, the talks were that he could drop into the middle rounds.
As it turns out, Romeus fell all the way to the seventh round, where the Saints chose him with the 226th pick in the draft.
Romeus is a perfect fit for the Saints. New Orleans can definitely use some help at the defensive end position, and choosing Romeus with a seventh round pick is a very low risk, high reward type of move.
Standing at 6'5" and weighing in at 267 pounds, Romeus is definitely a big guy on the defensive line.
It also just so happens that Spagnuolo's favorite kind of players at the end spot are tall, long and athletic players.
Take a look at guys he has coached in the past. Osi Umenyiora of the Giants is 6'3" and 255 pounds, while Justin Tuck is 6'5" 268 pounds.
Romeus and Tuck and nearly identical in size, and Spagnuolo is more than likely drooling as he thinks about Romeus' potential.
The only thing that is holding back this young player is injuries, but he seems to have recovered well from that ACL tear. Romeus was practicing with the Saints towards the end of the 2011 season, but was not ready to play.
The fact is that the Who Dat Nation, as well as the Saints, have no idea what they will be getting from this young player, or what to expect.
We could see a star born right before our eyes, but we could also see another seventh round draft pick fall flat on their face, and be out of the league in a few years.
In my personal opinion, I believe that we will see the former take place. Romeus has all of the tools and talents to be a star in the NFL. Now he has the coaches to teach him how to do it.
We are talking about a head coach, in Sean Payton, that has turned seventh round draft pick Marques Colston into one of the most coveted free agents to hit the market this offseason.
This is the same coaching staff that took Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively, and has developed these two players into All-Pros.
Undrafted free agents Lance Moore and Pierre Thomas were both picked up by the Saints, and eventually helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title.
If any team can take Romeus and develop his talents, it's the Saints. Now that Spagnuolo is the defensive coordinator in New Orleans, the Saints should be able to turn Romeus into another late-round gem.
Spagnuolo's primary unit on defense is the defensive line. He expects the most from this unit, and the performance of his defense depends a lot on the level of play from these guys.
I believe that Spanguolo will have this group of guys playing the best football of their careers. He should be able to come in and teach Romeus, as well as the other players, how to play the defensive end position at an elite level.
Players like Junior Galette, Turk McBride and Jeff Charleston are all talented players, but may be nothing more than depth guys for the Saints. However, a player like Romeus, who has every part of the game and just needs to be developed, should do just that with Spagnuolo at the helm.
Granted, we have not seen one down of football from Romeus in New Orleans, but I definitely think that he can do it.
Not many people have heard of Romeus yet, but mark my words. This kid is coming in 2012, and the NFL is most likely not ready for what he is going to do.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
Click to read the original Saints article by Bleacher Report - New Orleans Saints
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February 7, 2012
Posted by New Orleans Saints Newsc6ab36 in New Orleans Saints News, Topix - Saints Search
2012 NFL Free Agency: Which Agents Will Be Most Active?
Now that the offseason has arrived, here are the agents that will be busiest in the days and weeks leading up the opening of free agency on March 13, 2012.
Click to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints News
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February 7, 2012
Posted by Guest in Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Saints News, NFC South, nfl
New Orleans Saints Mock Draft: How Saints Can Acquire Dream Targets
With the New Orleans Saints season at a close, I take a look at their greatest needs going forward, tough decisions they have with impending high-profile free agents and the best prospects they can land in each round that could help their journey back to the Super Bowl.
In this mock draft, I have the Saints re-signing Drew Brees and Carl Nicks, and letting go of Marques Colston, Tracy Porter and Aubrayo Franklin, among others. I also expect for the Saints to use the freed up space of those departures to be used on defensive players such as Chris Chamberlain or Osi Umenyiora (if he were to become available) who are familiar with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme.
The Saints don't have a first-round selection because of the draft day trade for Mark Ingram last year. They do, however, have an extra sixth-rounder from Washington (Jamaal Brown trade) and swapped sixth-rounders with Miami (Reggie Bush trade).
Click to read the original Saints article by Bleacher Report - New Orleans Saints
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February 7, 2012
Posted by David Satch Kelly in Canal St. Chronicles, New Orleans Saints News, Saints Blogs
New Orleans Saints hire Andre Curtis as assistant secondary coach - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
New Orleans Saints hire Andre Curtis as assistant secondary coach - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Curtis joins the New Orleans staff after serving as defensive backs/safeties coach with the Rams from 2009-2011. Prior to that, Curtis spent three seasons as a defensive quality control coach with the New York Giants from 2006-08. The Beaverdam, Va. native came to the NFL in 2006, following a six-year college coaching career, two seasons at Georgia Southern as defensive ends coach and four at his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, where he was a four-year letterman as a linebacker from 1996-99.
Click to read the original Saints article by Canal Street Chronicles
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Ricky Williams wasn't a franchise back but he also wasn't a bust
The news today of Ricky Williams' retirement continues an interesting debate that's followed the controversial runner since the Saints' first drafted him in 1999. Was he a bust or not? It's a compelling question, and I think both sides can make...Click to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints Central
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