Saints have 2 good left tackles as free agents

DILLIGAFF · #1 02-08-2010, 12:48 PM

The Saints have 3 left tackles as free agents next year, Jermon Bushrod, Jammal Brown, and Zach Strief.

The Saints also have over 25 players in free agency, they have a lot of work to do in signing players. So it is my opinion that the Packers could snag one of these left tackles, even without a new CBA, a trade could also land the Pack one of these tackles.

We watched starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod play yesterday in the Super Bowl. He did struggle a little bit, but that Colts defensive line is fast. He is only in his 3rd year, weighs 315 and is 6-5". He has not reached his potential yet.

Jammal Brown is a 2 time Pro Bowl player in his 5th year at 6-6", 313 pounds who was put on the IR this year due to a sports hernia.

The Saints also have Zach Strief, who has played and started in the NFL for the Bears and Denver, a very good back up.

I don't think the Saints can keep all 3, nor can they keep 2 tackles of the caliber of Bushrod or Brown.

So which one do you think the Pack should go after? I think this is a real possibility if TT is willing to go after it and would fill a big need for our team before the draft. The Saints can lose one tackle and still have a viable backup on the roster.

PackersRS · #2 02-08-2010, 01:23 PM

Bushrod is OK... A GREAT backup. But wouldn't want him as our future starter...

Brown is a great LT.

They also need to keep Jahri Evans, IMHO a top 5 guard in the league.

As far as Tackles, I'd rather have the Bucs ones...

DILLIGAFF · #3 02-08-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackersRS

Bushrod is OK... A GREAT backup. But wouldn't want him as our future starter...

Brown is a great LT.

They also need to keep Jahri Evans, IMHO a top 5 guard in the league.

As far as Tackles, I'd rather have the Bucs ones...

Ya I can see the Bucs tackles, but if that does not pan out I think Bushrod would fill the need in the short term as we continue to look for that tackle.

I would not be opposed going after Jahri Evans. Thats my point, due to all their other free agents I think we can get Bushrod for a reasonable TT's price and would be a better option than Clifton (seeing on how I think Clifton's skills are on the decline and can't stay healthy).

Bushrod did play ok against J. Allen in the vikings game and this year got a lot of experience in only his 3rd year. This could be a big risk reward thing.

Also Bushrod beat out a veteran left tackle to replace Brown, Zach Strief started 16 games with the Bears.

NYPacker · #4 02-08-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DILLIGAFF

Ya I can see the Bucs tackles, but if that does not pan out I think Bushrod would fill the need in the short term as we continue to look for that tackle.

I would not be opposed going after Jahri Evans. Thats my point, due to all their other free agents I think we can get Bushrod for a reasonable TT's price and would be a better option than Clifton (seeing on how I think Clifton's skills are on the decline and can't stay healthy).

Bushrod did play ok against J. Allen in the vikings game and this year got a lot of experience in only his 3rd year. This could be a big risk reward thing.

That's the problem with all three of the of the Saints' OT's. It's the same problem we have with our tackles. Face it, are you willing to replace an injury prone clifton with another injury prone tackle?

PackersRS · #5 02-08-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYPacker

That's the problem with all three of the of the Saints' OT's. It's the same problem we have with our tackles. Face it, are you willing to replace an injury prone clifton with another injury prone tackle?

Considering the injury prone guy is better than him and younger than him... YES.

Clifton the last two years has been an average tackle at best.

2008 he surrended 7.5 sacks and 7 penalties. 2009 he surrended 3.75 in 12 games, not a bad average, but commited 9 penalties. Taking into account hes 34...

Tauscher, on the other hand: 2008 2 sacks 1 penalty. 2009 2 sacks 3 penalties.

Here's where my info came from: Player Search - cbs2chicago.com

NYPacker · #6 02-08-2010, 05:52 PM

Well if we're going through this route then I have to agree with PackersRS' idea. We should first try to get one of the Buccs' tackles and then go after the Saints'.

PackersRS · #7 02-08-2010, 07:24 PM

Though after further review, and even though he played well at both the NFCC and the SB, Bushrod allowed 7.5 sacks in 12 games in the regular season...

But still, shows more promise than Clifton.

DILLIGAFF · #8 02-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Bushrod performed well against the Atlanta Falcons' John Abraham and Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers and struggled against the Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware. In the NFC championship game, Bushrod helped neutralize Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl player Jared Allen, who had just two tackles and no sacks.

Coming into the NFL he was prepared to play guard or tackle. For the first time being thrust into the starting line-up, he went 3-4 against the leagues best DE. If he turns out not to be the long term answer at tackle we could move him to the left guard position, IMO Colledge is not the long term answer and Spitz has not proven himself (Back injuries concern me).

IMO this is a no brainier if we can get him for a reasonable price and the other options in the league do not pan out.

DILLIGAFF · #9 02-09-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackersRS

Though after further review, and even though he played well at both the NFCC and the SB, Bushrod allowed 7.5 sacks in 12 games in the regular season...

But still, shows more promise than Clifton.

Remember this was his first year starting and playing, not like he went through training camp as the starter, he got thrown into the mix mid season and IMO had to play some of the elite competition in Allen, Peppers ,and Ware.

He is worth the gamble and is better in the short term to anything we have or can draft, a rookie is a rookie, at least Bushrod has the experience playing against the best and knows exactly what to do this off season to get better compared to a rookie who is wet behind the ears. Just look at Raji, a rookie takes time to develop.

AlDay31 · #10 02-09-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DILLIGAFF

Bushrod performed well against the Atlanta Falcons' John Abraham and Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers and struggled against the Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware. In the NFC championship game, [B]Bushrod helped neutralize Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl player Jared Allen, who had just two tackles and no sacks.

May I remind you that Jared Allen had an average season at best. Of his 14.5 Sacks 10 came against NFC-North-teams, and their really really bad OLines.

And Bushrod got used in the SB by a Dwight Freeney, who was at 70 per cent at best.
Rather scarying facts for declaring him as a no-brainer. Get D. Penn, and draft an OT in the second.