New Orleans Saints

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New Orleans Saints: What Who Dat Fans Can Expect from Junior Galette in 2012

The New Orleans Saints are headed into the 2012 NFL offseason with a new defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo, and I am extremely excited to see what he can do with defensive end Junior Galette.

Galette was an undrafted free agent in 2010, and the Saints picked him up during training camp. Throughout the 2010 preseason, Galette became a fan favorite and solidified his place on the Saints' 53-man roster.

He did not see much playing time in 2010, but last year, Galette began to see the field on a consistent basis.

In 2011, Galette played in every one of the Saints' games, and racked up 4.5 sacks in his first full year in the NFL. Galette played mostly as a third-down pass-rusher, and did very well in that role throughout the season.

He may, in fact, be the best pure pass-rusher on the team. Defensive ends Will Smith and Cameron Jordan are both very good at stopping the run, and Smith has shown glimpses of greatness in pressuring the quarterback in previous seasons.

However, Galette seems to get near the opposing passer every time he is on the field.

As far as a typical NFL defensive end goes, Galette is pretty undersized. He stands at 6'2" and 258 pounds, which is relatively small when discussing professional defensive linemen.

Galette uses his speed to get by pass blockers, and to the quarterback. This is probably his greatest strength, and a big part as to why he is still with the Saints.

The negative part of Galette's game right now is that he does not do very well against the running game.

Galette has difficulty in shedding blockers and making tackles. As a smaller defensive end, it is also tough for Galette to keep containment, and push the runners back inside.

The only thing keeping Galette from being a starter with New Orleans is his inability to play well against the run. However, I expect that part of Galette's game to change greatly with the addition of Spagnuolo.

Galette is currently listed as the third right defensive end, behind Smith and Jeff Charleston, but he is really more of a backup to Jordan on the left side.

In 2011, Galette would normally come in for Jordan in passing situations, and the two would continue to trade out the spot throughout the game.

We have already discussed that Smith may not be back in New Orleans next year, which would leave a vacancy on the Saints' defensive line. Galette will definitely have his chance to prove that he is worthy of a starting spot.

I believe that Saints fans can expect to see Galette bulk up again this offseason, but not so much that he loses his speed. If Galette can gain a little weight, and improve his game against the run, then we may see him starting opposite of Jordan in 2012.

I think that the more likely scenario is that Galette will continue to be a role player on the defensive line, and provide great depth for the Saints.

I expect his numbers across the board to increase during his third year in the league. Spagnuolo loves getting pressure with his four down lineman, and Galette will certainly be used for just that.

Since Spagnuolo expects so much from his D-line, they will need to have good depth, and a solid rotation to keep guys healthy and fresh. Galette will certainly receive opportunities to make an impression on the coaches, and I think that we may see him do that.

Galette's sack total in 2012 should hit the seven to nine range, in my opinion. I believe that a combination of Spagnuolo's system, Galette's growth and the Saints' need for his play will equate to a solid season for this young player.

He is a fan favorite, and most of Who Dat Nation cannot get enough of this talented defensive end. I believe that, in 2012, we will see Galette establish himself as one of the best weapons on the Saints' defense. He will make it impossible for the coaches not to put him in the game.

I think that Galette will use the 2012 NFL season as a stepping stone to a starting job with the Saints in 2013.

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NFL Free Agency 2012: Potential New Orleans Saint Cliff Avril

This is the third in a running series of articles on Saints free and draft targets. Previously highlighted were Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. 

Upon first thought, Cliff Avril might not seem to be the marquee free-agent acquisition every Saints fan is hoping for on the defensive side of the football. In fact, if you're simply a novice football fan, you may not even know the name at all. 

But make no mistake about it, the New Orleans Saints and their personnel department know who Avril is, likely to a tee. Are they going to make an aggressive push to sign him? That is a vastly different question. 

In fact, it is the question I hope to answer over the next few moments. Just as with the Jacksons, I want to explore this player the way an NFL pro scout would—which of course, is virtually the same process as the one college scouts go through when evaluating a prospect.

Before I get to the pros and cons of Avril, it is important to note that Avril is more like a college prospect than most of the free-agent targets I have studied. There are two reasons for that: First, Avril remains very raw at his position, but part of that is due to a lack of experience. Second, Avril is coming from a Tampa Two, Wide-Nine defensive alignment.

In that defense, the defensive ends are essentially glorified outside linebackers. It’s an oversimplification of course, but in Detroit, Avril wasn’t asked to defend the run; only get after the passer at all costs. In New Orleans a season ago, the defensive ends were only asked to defend the run and forget about rushing the passer (at least in the base defense).

In 2012, the New Orleans Saints defense is going to require every defensive end be able to do both. To gain a spot on the field as an edge player, Avril, Will Smith, Cam Jordan or Junior Galette are going to have to prove they can hold up against the run but still provide explosive rushing abilities.

 

Pros

When you first put the Lions film, on it’s impossible to miss Avril. Though a frail defensive end, the former Purdue Boilermaker has a burst that literally makes it seem as if he was dropped from a canon. No player on the Lions squad—and thus, probably in all of football—gets off the ball quicker than Avril. With that, he plays with tremendous quickness and speed.

He routinely finds himself making tackles across the field and chasing runners down from behind when they get past the rest of the front seven down the field. Because of the obvious athleticism, he figures to be a versatile player who could drop into coverage on a zone blitz or even play some outside linebacker in a 3-4 look.

As with many raw defensive ends, Avril is at his best when he uses a speed rush. His jump off the football helps him get near the quarterback in no time at all. Occasionally, he’ll counter the speed rush with a spin move, or even try a bull rush.

In 2011, Avril had a career-high 11 sacks and caused six fumbles; plus, he intercepted a pass. That is very productive for a player who didn’t play every down.

 

Cons

Though there is a lot to like about Avril, the truth is that he’s still raw, despite playing four full seasons in the NFL. While he has shown an array of pass rushing moves, he’s really a one-and-done rusher. In other words, he pre-selects what move he will use before the snap, and if that doesn’t work, he gets taken out of the play and becomes ineffective. He does not know how to battle and counter the offensive tackle.

Even more disturbing than that is the trend which much film study reveals. Though he has incredible initial burst, he fails to finish plays due to a lack of bend and flexibility to get by the offensive tackle. He often gets vertical, but can’t get back to the quarterback because he doesn’t dip his shoulder to get around the tackle.

This is ultimately a product of a bigger issue for him, though. Avril really doesn’t use his hands at all. He gets engaged with a blocker and never gets off him due to a lack of strength and lack of hand technique.

This also affects him in the run game, as he generally gets lodged in with the tackle and is basically at the mercy of the blocker as to whether he sets the edge or gets hammered inside. Too often, he works his way upfield, seemingly forgetting about the running game off tackle or in between the guards.

 

Avril’s Potential Role With the Saints

Though Cliff Avril has a ton of talent, there is still a lot of refining to his game that is necessary. He is still 25 (turns 26 on April 8). The Lions are reportedly considering slapping the franchise tag on him, but he wants a long-term contract in Detroit or elsewhere.

If he were to join up with the Saints, he would be synced up in Steve Spagnuolo's defense and instantly become the unit's go-to pass rusher. He would provide some scheme versatility and allow the Saints to move Cam Jordan inside in nickel situations, something Spagnuolo did often in New York with Justin Tuck.

He’s also a guy the Saints would clearly aim to move around the field with zone blitzes where he drops, and someone such as Roman Harper or Malcolm Jenkins takes his spot rushing the quarterback (one of the corners would play the safety’s spot).

As we saw in the Super Bowl this past season, and from Spag’s defense four years ago, an effective pass rush doesn’t consist of just one player. Combined with Will Smith, Cam Jordan, and hopefully, Syracuse’s Chandler Jones (scouting report on him forthcoming), Avril and the Saints could begin to feature an elite pass rush—one that gives opposing offensive line coaches and coordinators headaches for weeks.

But the greatest characteristic Avril possesses and would bring to New Orleans is his ability to cause turnovers. It seems he always stripping the quarterback or getting a hand on the ball. At the least, he finds ways to get to the quarterback and cause them to hurry their throws. The Saints need to add that quality to their defense. 

Though many don’t know much about Avril, he is going to cost someone some money. The very fact the Lions would consider franchising him shows they think he’s quite a player. He fits their system well, but if coached well, would fit the Saints aggressive defense even better.

Handing him large sums of money may seem scary for any franchise given his obvious immaturity on the football field. He was flagged for some egregious plays during the season and jumped offside more often than any other defender (strictly a guess).

But coming to a team with strong veteran leadership and an atmosphere wreaking of discipline would certainly aide the super-talented young man. Whether it happens or not, I’ve got to think Spagnuolo is begging Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis to consider a player of Avril’s equal ability.

We all know the Saints need that. Time will tell just who that player turns out to be. 

 

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5 Moves the New Orleans Saints Simply Must Make This Offseason

In order for the New Orleans Saints to play in Super Bowl 46, they must re-sign Drew Brees.

Re-signing Brees is an absolutely must, but the Saints need to do more than that this offseason to win another world championship. 

I can't speak for every Saints fan, but it was incredibly difficult to watch the 2012 NFL Playoffs because it was clear the Saints were the best team. For those that disagree and point to the defensive meltdown in the playoff game against San Francisco 49ers, need I remind you that the Saints had five turnovers in that game?

The fact that they had that many turnovers and still came close to beating the 49ers says a lot, and if the Saints can put together the right pieces this offseason, another Super Bowl victory is highly likely.

These are the moves the Saints must make.

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Brees' contract frustrations rising

Drew Brees feels baffled, if not worse about how long it's taking for him to receive a long-term contract extension, an unnamedSaints player told CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman. Brees has said several times that a deal should be struck before free agency opens, but Freeman reported that privately Brees is telling teammates that his frustrations are rising.

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Roaf sees Brees as first-ballot Hall-of-Famer

T Willie Roaf on Drew Brees: “When he finally decides to hang it up, obviously with the way that Drew is playing and how great of a career he's had, there's no question he should be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. He'll be at the top of the echelon of hierarchy (of QBs).”

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Roaf credits HOF LB Jackson in toughening him up

Former Saints T Willie Roaf said Hall-of-Fame LB Rickey Jackson would look like he was loafing during practice during Roaf's first couple of seasons in the league. Then Jackson turned it on during individual drills against Roaf. “He'd try to kick my butt,” Roaf said. Roaf, a new HOF inductee, said that helped him become NFL-ready right away.

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Roaf sees several O-linemen HOF-worthy next year

Hall-of-Fame inductee T Willie Roaf saw this year's class as a rather unprecedented year with two OLs and two DLs getting in. Roaf said he could see a trend possibly building next season with offensive linemen Will Shields, Larry Allen and Jonathan Ogden all eligible. Shields was a finalist this year. Allen and Ogden will be first-timers next year.

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Roaf: Being a WR not good for HOF chances

HOF inductee T Willie Roaf on the lack of WRs in the Hall of Fame Class of 2012: “I would not want to be a receiver right now. I don't know what it is they (HOF committee) have against them, other than Jerry Rice.”

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Roaf surprised so many blue-collar players in 2012 HOF class

Former Saints and Chiefs T Willie Roaf said he was surprised to see so many interior linemen voted into the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He thought maybe it would be just former Chiefs G Will Shields or him to get in from the interior. Instead, it was Roaf, Dermontti Dawson, Cortez Kennedy and Chris Doleman who were voted in.

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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. 

 

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