NFC South: Reggie Bush
NEW ORLEANS -- In the middle of a labor lockout, in which nothing is certain, we appear to have an exception.
That’s Reggie Bush. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton pretty much guaranteed the running back will be staying with the team. There had been some speculation before the lockout that Bush could be a salary casualty. Once the lockout started and everything froze, the speculation shifted slightly to throw out the possibility of Bush being gone once the labor situation is resolved.
It’s somewhat understandable because Bush is scheduled to make $12.6 million this year and currently would count $16 million against a potential salary cap in the last year of his first contract.
“He’s a guy that we feel will be part of our team,’’ Payton said.
The coach went onto say that decision was made before the lockout.
“As we finished the season and began to look at our roster and began to look at targets and how our team fits, he’s a guy that we want in the fold,’’ Payton said.
It’s pretty obvious how this will play out. Once there is labor peace, there’s almost no chance the Saints can afford to carry Bush’s $16 million cap figure.
Could Bush be in for a cut in pay?
“I think he's got a pretty good grasp of the economy and where he's at,’’ Payton said. “That's a big strength, especially when a player knows who he is and the type of team he's with. That's not a sure thing because, hey, there might be another suitor possibly, but I think he has a genuine desire to play here. I think the feeling is mutual.’’
Look, the reality -- even in difficult economic times -- is that it’s rare for an NFL player to take a straight paycut. The logical option here is to extend Bush’s contract well beyond this year and find a way to spread out that money.
Obviously, nothing’s been finalized and it can’t be while the lockout is on. But it sure sounds like the Saints previously had some productive discussions with Bush and his agent.
“I think that’s something that will take a little bit of time once we’re operating again and talking with the players and agents,’’ Payton said. “But I think that’s something that has a chance to get done. I think there will be a number. We just have to find that number that both sides are comfortable with.’’
That’s Reggie Bush. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton pretty much guaranteed the running back will be staying with the team. There had been some speculation before the lockout that Bush could be a salary casualty. Once the lockout started and everything froze, the speculation shifted slightly to throw out the possibility of Bush being gone once the labor situation is resolved.
It’s somewhat understandable because Bush is scheduled to make $12.6 million this year and currently would count $16 million against a potential salary cap in the last year of his first contract.
The coach went onto say that decision was made before the lockout.
“As we finished the season and began to look at our roster and began to look at targets and how our team fits, he’s a guy that we want in the fold,’’ Payton said.
It’s pretty obvious how this will play out. Once there is labor peace, there’s almost no chance the Saints can afford to carry Bush’s $16 million cap figure.
Could Bush be in for a cut in pay?
“I think he's got a pretty good grasp of the economy and where he's at,’’ Payton said. “That's a big strength, especially when a player knows who he is and the type of team he's with. That's not a sure thing because, hey, there might be another suitor possibly, but I think he has a genuine desire to play here. I think the feeling is mutual.’’
Look, the reality -- even in difficult economic times -- is that it’s rare for an NFL player to take a straight paycut. The logical option here is to extend Bush’s contract well beyond this year and find a way to spread out that money.
Obviously, nothing’s been finalized and it can’t be while the lockout is on. But it sure sounds like the Saints previously had some productive discussions with Bush and his agent.
“I think that’s something that will take a little bit of time once we’re operating again and talking with the players and agents,’’ Payton said. “But I think that’s something that has a chance to get done. I think there will be a number. We just have to find that number that both sides are comfortable with.’’
» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: draft rewind -- examining the past five drafts.
Atlanta Falcons
Best choice: Taking Matt Ryan with the No. 3 overall pick in 2008. Yeah, he was the third pick and you should hit when you’re drafting in that territory. But look at how many quarterbacks, including some No. 1 overall picks, haven’t hit. The Falcons did their homework and were totally convinced Ryan was a franchise quarterback when they drafted him. He’s backed it up. You can still debate whether Ryan is an “elite quarterback,’’ whatever that means. But he came to a franchise that probably had hit a lower point than any franchise at any time in NFC South history and has produced nothing but winning seasons. Sure sounds like a franchise quarterback to me.
Worst choice: Jamaal Anderson. He has become a serviceable defensive tackle in the past year or so, but this guy was drafted as a defensive end in the top 10 in a draft where teams were reaching for pass-rushers (see Tampa Bay and Gaines Adams). This falls on a past regime and is part of the reason that regime failed. In four seasons, Anderson has produced 4.5 sacks and, as they head into the 2011 draft, the Falcons are, once again looking for a pass-rusher.
On the bubble: Peria Jerry. The Falcons thought they had a solid pick when they took Jerry in the first round in the 2009 draft. Jerry injured his knee early in his rookie season. He came back last year, but wound up as a backup to 2010 third-round pick Corey Peters. The Falcons are saying they expect a fully healthy Jerry to emerge in 2011. If that happens, there will be vindication. If not, Jerry will go down as a bust.
Carolina Panthers
Best choice: Ryan Kalil. Center didn’t seem like a huge need when the Panthers used a second-round pick on Kalil in 2007, and he did very little as a rookie. But the guy has turned into a consistent Pro Bowler. We won’t weigh this down by going into the labor situation, although the Panthers placed a franchise tag on Kalil. They’re still looking for the first true franchise quarterback in their short history. But they’ve got a franchise center to snap the ball.
Worst choice: Dwayne Jarrett. We’re only going back five years, so Keary Colbert is not eligible and he at least had a few productive moments. But the Panthers compounded that mistake by taking another USC receiver in the second round in 2007. Colbert should have been a major warning sign.
On the bubble: We’ll go with a tie between quarterback Jimmy Clausen and receiver Armanti Edwards. It’s tough to call anyone a bust after just one year, but the production of Clausen and Edwards as rookies makes that very tempting. We’ll give them a pass for the moment because they were emblematic of former coach John Fox’s refusal to embrace a youth movement. They get a fresh start with new coach Ron Rivera, and we’ll see how that works out.
New Orleans Saints
Best choice: Marques Colston. Yep, we’ll go all the way back to the first draft class of coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis as a team. They used the second of two seventh-round picks (No. 252) on the little-known receiver out of Hofstra. All they got was a guy who instantly became a very good No. 1 receiver. His numbers would be spectacular if Payton and quarterback Drew Brees weren’t so good at spreading the ball around. Colston is the definition of a value pick, and guys like guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans aren’t far off.
Worst choice: Al Woods. It’s hard to find any flaws in the way Payton and Loomis have drafted. They haven’t totally missed on any early picks. Woods was a fourth-round pick in 2010, but he ended up getting cut in the preseason. You generally expect a fourth-round pick to at least make the roster.
On the bubble: Reggie Bush. Yes, five drafts into this regime, you can still say the first pick Payton and Loomis made is on the bubble. Bush might stay there for his entire career because opinions are widely divided, and that’s understandable. He was the second overall pick in the 2006 draft. He never has produced the kind of numbers you would expect from a running back taken so early, and injuries have slowed him. But the flip side is that Bush is much more than a running back. He’s also a receiver and a return man. When you factor all that in and remember the role Bush played in the Saints' first Super Bowl title in franchise history, it’s tough to say categorically he’s been a bust.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best choice: Josh Freeman in a landslide. He wasn’t a popular pick when the Bucs traded up to get him in the middle of the first round in 2009. That was only because the Tampa Bay fan base had been schooled from the beginning that defense is most important. But general manager Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris departed from that philosophy in their first draft. They landed a franchise quarterback who might not even be close to hitting his full potential.
Worst choice: Dexter Jackson. He was the modern-day Tampa Bay version of Booker Reese, which says a lot. But I’ll say even more and anoint Jackson as the worst draft pick any NFC South team has made in the past five years. In their last draft, former coach Jon Gruden and former general manager Bruce Allen used a second-round pick (No. 58) on the receiver/return man from Appalachian State. They made matters even worse moments after the pick by walking into the media room and saying they had found the second coming of Carolina receiver Steve Smith. It turned out the only things Smith and Jackson had in common were their size and the fact that both had spent some time in North Carolina. The Bucs quickly found out Jackson had no business being in the NFL. Maybe somebody should tell Jackson there's an opening in that flag-football league at the Siskey YMCA in Charlotte.
On the bubble: Gerald McCoy. Again, it’s tough to declare anything about a player after just one season. But McCoy was the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft. With a weak supporting cast, he got off to a slow start and probably didn’t do himself any favors by talking so much about it. McCoy started to come on as the season progressed but suffered a season-ending injury. Throw in the instant success of Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh and that places lots of pressure on McCoy to become a star in his second season.
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: draft rewind -- examining the past five drafts.
Atlanta Falcons
Best choice: Taking Matt Ryan with the No. 3 overall pick in 2008. Yeah, he was the third pick and you should hit when you’re drafting in that territory. But look at how many quarterbacks, including some No. 1 overall picks, haven’t hit. The Falcons did their homework and were totally convinced Ryan was a franchise quarterback when they drafted him. He’s backed it up. You can still debate whether Ryan is an “elite quarterback,’’ whatever that means. But he came to a franchise that probably had hit a lower point than any franchise at any time in NFC South history and has produced nothing but winning seasons. Sure sounds like a franchise quarterback to me.
Worst choice: Jamaal Anderson. He has become a serviceable defensive tackle in the past year or so, but this guy was drafted as a defensive end in the top 10 in a draft where teams were reaching for pass-rushers (see Tampa Bay and Gaines Adams). This falls on a past regime and is part of the reason that regime failed. In four seasons, Anderson has produced 4.5 sacks and, as they head into the 2011 draft, the Falcons are, once again looking for a pass-rusher.
On the bubble: Peria Jerry. The Falcons thought they had a solid pick when they took Jerry in the first round in the 2009 draft. Jerry injured his knee early in his rookie season. He came back last year, but wound up as a backup to 2010 third-round pick Corey Peters. The Falcons are saying they expect a fully healthy Jerry to emerge in 2011. If that happens, there will be vindication. If not, Jerry will go down as a bust.
Carolina Panthers
Best choice: Ryan Kalil. Center didn’t seem like a huge need when the Panthers used a second-round pick on Kalil in 2007, and he did very little as a rookie. But the guy has turned into a consistent Pro Bowler. We won’t weigh this down by going into the labor situation, although the Panthers placed a franchise tag on Kalil. They’re still looking for the first true franchise quarterback in their short history. But they’ve got a franchise center to snap the ball.
Worst choice: Dwayne Jarrett. We’re only going back five years, so Keary Colbert is not eligible and he at least had a few productive moments. But the Panthers compounded that mistake by taking another USC receiver in the second round in 2007. Colbert should have been a major warning sign.
On the bubble: We’ll go with a tie between quarterback Jimmy Clausen and receiver Armanti Edwards. It’s tough to call anyone a bust after just one year, but the production of Clausen and Edwards as rookies makes that very tempting. We’ll give them a pass for the moment because they were emblematic of former coach John Fox’s refusal to embrace a youth movement. They get a fresh start with new coach Ron Rivera, and we’ll see how that works out.
New Orleans Saints
Best choice: Marques Colston. Yep, we’ll go all the way back to the first draft class of coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis as a team. They used the second of two seventh-round picks (No. 252) on the little-known receiver out of Hofstra. All they got was a guy who instantly became a very good No. 1 receiver. His numbers would be spectacular if Payton and quarterback Drew Brees weren’t so good at spreading the ball around. Colston is the definition of a value pick, and guys like guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans aren’t far off.
Worst choice: Al Woods. It’s hard to find any flaws in the way Payton and Loomis have drafted. They haven’t totally missed on any early picks. Woods was a fourth-round pick in 2010, but he ended up getting cut in the preseason. You generally expect a fourth-round pick to at least make the roster.
On the bubble: Reggie Bush. Yes, five drafts into this regime, you can still say the first pick Payton and Loomis made is on the bubble. Bush might stay there for his entire career because opinions are widely divided, and that’s understandable. He was the second overall pick in the 2006 draft. He never has produced the kind of numbers you would expect from a running back taken so early, and injuries have slowed him. But the flip side is that Bush is much more than a running back. He’s also a receiver and a return man. When you factor all that in and remember the role Bush played in the Saints' first Super Bowl title in franchise history, it’s tough to say categorically he’s been a bust.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best choice: Josh Freeman in a landslide. He wasn’t a popular pick when the Bucs traded up to get him in the middle of the first round in 2009. That was only because the Tampa Bay fan base had been schooled from the beginning that defense is most important. But general manager Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris departed from that philosophy in their first draft. They landed a franchise quarterback who might not even be close to hitting his full potential.
Worst choice: Dexter Jackson. He was the modern-day Tampa Bay version of Booker Reese, which says a lot. But I’ll say even more and anoint Jackson as the worst draft pick any NFC South team has made in the past five years. In their last draft, former coach Jon Gruden and former general manager Bruce Allen used a second-round pick (No. 58) on the receiver/return man from Appalachian State. They made matters even worse moments after the pick by walking into the media room and saying they had found the second coming of Carolina receiver Steve Smith. It turned out the only things Smith and Jackson had in common were their size and the fact that both had spent some time in North Carolina. The Bucs quickly found out Jackson had no business being in the NFL. Maybe somebody should tell Jackson there's an opening in that flag-football league at the Siskey YMCA in Charlotte.
On the bubble: Gerald McCoy. Again, it’s tough to declare anything about a player after just one season. But McCoy was the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft. With a weak supporting cast, he got off to a slow start and probably didn’t do himself any favors by talking so much about it. McCoy started to come on as the season progressed but suffered a season-ending injury. Throw in the instant success of Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh and that places lots of pressure on McCoy to become a star in his second season.
Michael Turner only NFC South RB in top 10
March, 15, 2011
3/15/11
1:19
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Our Power Rankings for running backs are out and the only NFC South representative is Michael Turner.
I can’t argue with that. In fact, Turner was the only NFC South running back I included on my top 10 ballot. He’s also the only NFC South back who got any votes from our panel.
Turner came in at No. 6, although I ranked him No. 4. Just for background, I don’t use some big scientific system when doing these rankings, but I was probably closer to being scientific on running backs than I will be on any other position. That’s because running backs are different. They have very short shelf lives.
As I filled out my ballot, I looked mostly at rushing totals in two time increments. One was for the past two years and the other was for the past three years. If we had opened it up to the last eight years, then you’d have to rank guys like LaDainian Tomlinson very high and that wouldn’t be right because he no longer is an elite back.
Turner has been a 1,000-yard rusher in two of the past three seasons and it easily would have been three if inuries had not sidelined him for part of 2009 and that makes him a very solid choice on any list of top running backs.
What about Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart? First off, they’ve split carries much of the past few seasons and that holds down their numbers. Williams is an enormously talented all-around back. If I were building a team, I wouldn’t mind having him as my main running back. Problem is, he’s not even a true feature back when he and Stewart are together. Injuries also have limited Williams’ numbers.
Stewart’s a guy who, on any given day, can look as good as any back in the league. The downside with Stewart is his injury history. He came into the league with a chronic foot problem and it’s kind of a tribute to Carolina’s medical staff that he has been able to accomplish as much as he has.
Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount? Well, I left him off for now. But I’ve got a feeling he’ll be on this list next year. Just need to see him go out and do what he did last year over the course of an entire season. Oh, and by the way, Blount might want to cut out the leaping acts. They make for some good highlights, but he’s going to get hurt if he keeps that up on a regular basis. As a general rule, one of the first things running backs are taught is not to leave their feet.
Finally, we’ll touch briefly on the New Orleans running backs -- Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Chris Ivory. None of them are top-10 material. There are several reasons for that. They’re used as a combination and that prevents anyone from putting up huge numbers. There also are durability issues with Thomas and Bush. I think Thomas is New Orleans’ best all-around running back, but that doesn’t put him near the top 10.
I can’t argue with that. In fact, Turner was the only NFC South running back I included on my top 10 ballot. He’s also the only NFC South back who got any votes from our panel.
Turner came in at No. 6, although I ranked him No. 4. Just for background, I don’t use some big scientific system when doing these rankings, but I was probably closer to being scientific on running backs than I will be on any other position. That’s because running backs are different. They have very short shelf lives.
As I filled out my ballot, I looked mostly at rushing totals in two time increments. One was for the past two years and the other was for the past three years. If we had opened it up to the last eight years, then you’d have to rank guys like LaDainian Tomlinson very high and that wouldn’t be right because he no longer is an elite back.
Turner has been a 1,000-yard rusher in two of the past three seasons and it easily would have been three if inuries had not sidelined him for part of 2009 and that makes him a very solid choice on any list of top running backs.
What about Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart? First off, they’ve split carries much of the past few seasons and that holds down their numbers. Williams is an enormously talented all-around back. If I were building a team, I wouldn’t mind having him as my main running back. Problem is, he’s not even a true feature back when he and Stewart are together. Injuries also have limited Williams’ numbers.
Stewart’s a guy who, on any given day, can look as good as any back in the league. The downside with Stewart is his injury history. He came into the league with a chronic foot problem and it’s kind of a tribute to Carolina’s medical staff that he has been able to accomplish as much as he has.
Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount? Well, I left him off for now. But I’ve got a feeling he’ll be on this list next year. Just need to see him go out and do what he did last year over the course of an entire season. Oh, and by the way, Blount might want to cut out the leaping acts. They make for some good highlights, but he’s going to get hurt if he keeps that up on a regular basis. As a general rule, one of the first things running backs are taught is not to leave their feet.
Finally, we’ll touch briefly on the New Orleans running backs -- Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Chris Ivory. None of them are top-10 material. There are several reasons for that. They’re used as a combination and that prevents anyone from putting up huge numbers. There also are durability issues with Thomas and Bush. I think Thomas is New Orleans’ best all-around running back, but that doesn’t put him near the top 10.
» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.
Atlanta Falcons
Perhaps the biggest positive to come out of a 13-3 season that ended with a disappointing playoff loss to Green Bay is that it made Atlanta’s offseason needs so clear. Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have said, in no uncertain terms, the Falcons need to become more explosive on both sides of the ball, and they have established a track record of working together to get what they want.
It’s no secret that Atlanta’s biggest need is to improve the pass rush. Veteran John Abraham stepped up with 13.5 sacks last season, but there’s no guarantee that will continue. Even if Abraham produces another big season, the Falcons need another defensive end to help provide a more consistent pass rush. Although the team used its first-round pick on linebacker Sean Weatherspoon last year, another athletic outside linebacker is a possibility, because Mike Peterson is getting older and Stephen Nicholas might leave via free agency. Speed and athleticism also will be targets on offense. The Falcons have a good power running game with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, but need a speed back to make some big plays. Roddy White is one of the game’s best receivers, but the Falcons would like to add a speedster to stretch the field.
Offensive line also is a possibility, because the Falcons have several possible free agents and it remains to be seen if the team is really sold on left tackle Sam Baker.
Carolina Panthers
New coach Ron Rivera takes over a roster that’s not as depleted as last year’s 2-14 record might suggest. There are some areas of strength -- defensive end, running back and linebacker. Some consistent play at quarterback would go a long way toward making the Panthers competitive quickly. It remains to be seen if the Panthers will take a leap on Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert in the draft, or try to get a veteran through free agency or via trade.
Whatever the Panthers decide at quarterback, there are some other big needs that will have to be addressed in the draft. The middle of the defensive line has been a problem spot the past two seasons, and Auburn’s Nick Fairley is a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. The wild card in all this could be LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. Some say he’s the best player in the draft, and there is uncertainty about the futures of cornerbacks Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble. The rule of thumb is that you don’t take a cornerback with the top pick of the draft. But Peterson might be the most complete player in the draft, so the Panthers have to at least consider breaking the rules.
New Orleans Saints
Assuming the restricted free agent tags hold up with a new labor agreement, the Saints should be able to keep a pretty strong roster intact. That said, there are some obvious areas of need. On defense, the Saints could use another pass-rusher to team with Will Smith. Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson were adequate last season, but not dynamic. The basis of a Gregg Williams defense is to create turnovers, and that starts with a pass rush up front. An athletic outside linebacker also is high on the list. The Saints thought they had enough young guys last year to let Scott Fujita walk in free agency. But several of those young linebackers were injured, and that spot became a problem.
Offensively, the Saints are pretty well set at the skill positions, but it’s possible they could at least look to add another running back at some point. Reggie Bush's future remains uncertain and the Saints were hampered by injuries at running back last season. Although the Saints drafted Charles Brown last year, offensive tackle could be addressed again. Brown might get a shot to start ahead of Jermon Bushrod at left tackle, but the Saints might like to add one more person to that competition.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite a surprising 10-6 record last season, the rebuilding job is far from done in Tampa Bay. The Bucs still need to upgrade the talent level at several positions, and defensive end appears to be first on the list. Stylez G. White and Tim Crowder ended up as the starters last season and weren’t able to generate much of a pass rush. After using the first two picks of last year’s draft on defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, the Bucs would like to surround them with young talent on the outside.
The Bucs could be looking for a middle linebacker if Barrett Ruud leaves via free agency, and more depth at outside linebacker also is a possibility. The uncertain future of suspended safety Tanard Jackson means the Bucs might have to look for depth at that position. The offensive needs aren’t as big, but the Bucs could use a running back to help share the load with LeGarrette Blount.
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.
Atlanta Falcons
Perhaps the biggest positive to come out of a 13-3 season that ended with a disappointing playoff loss to Green Bay is that it made Atlanta’s offseason needs so clear. Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have said, in no uncertain terms, the Falcons need to become more explosive on both sides of the ball, and they have established a track record of working together to get what they want.
It’s no secret that Atlanta’s biggest need is to improve the pass rush. Veteran John Abraham stepped up with 13.5 sacks last season, but there’s no guarantee that will continue. Even if Abraham produces another big season, the Falcons need another defensive end to help provide a more consistent pass rush. Although the team used its first-round pick on linebacker Sean Weatherspoon last year, another athletic outside linebacker is a possibility, because Mike Peterson is getting older and Stephen Nicholas might leave via free agency. Speed and athleticism also will be targets on offense. The Falcons have a good power running game with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, but need a speed back to make some big plays. Roddy White is one of the game’s best receivers, but the Falcons would like to add a speedster to stretch the field.
Offensive line also is a possibility, because the Falcons have several possible free agents and it remains to be seen if the team is really sold on left tackle Sam Baker.
Carolina Panthers
New coach Ron Rivera takes over a roster that’s not as depleted as last year’s 2-14 record might suggest. There are some areas of strength -- defensive end, running back and linebacker. Some consistent play at quarterback would go a long way toward making the Panthers competitive quickly. It remains to be seen if the Panthers will take a leap on Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert in the draft, or try to get a veteran through free agency or via trade.
Whatever the Panthers decide at quarterback, there are some other big needs that will have to be addressed in the draft. The middle of the defensive line has been a problem spot the past two seasons, and Auburn’s Nick Fairley is a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. The wild card in all this could be LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. Some say he’s the best player in the draft, and there is uncertainty about the futures of cornerbacks Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble. The rule of thumb is that you don’t take a cornerback with the top pick of the draft. But Peterson might be the most complete player in the draft, so the Panthers have to at least consider breaking the rules.
New Orleans Saints
Assuming the restricted free agent tags hold up with a new labor agreement, the Saints should be able to keep a pretty strong roster intact. That said, there are some obvious areas of need. On defense, the Saints could use another pass-rusher to team with Will Smith. Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson were adequate last season, but not dynamic. The basis of a Gregg Williams defense is to create turnovers, and that starts with a pass rush up front. An athletic outside linebacker also is high on the list. The Saints thought they had enough young guys last year to let Scott Fujita walk in free agency. But several of those young linebackers were injured, and that spot became a problem.
Offensively, the Saints are pretty well set at the skill positions, but it’s possible they could at least look to add another running back at some point. Reggie Bush's future remains uncertain and the Saints were hampered by injuries at running back last season. Although the Saints drafted Charles Brown last year, offensive tackle could be addressed again. Brown might get a shot to start ahead of Jermon Bushrod at left tackle, but the Saints might like to add one more person to that competition.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite a surprising 10-6 record last season, the rebuilding job is far from done in Tampa Bay. The Bucs still need to upgrade the talent level at several positions, and defensive end appears to be first on the list. Stylez G. White and Tim Crowder ended up as the starters last season and weren’t able to generate much of a pass rush. After using the first two picks of last year’s draft on defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, the Bucs would like to surround them with young talent on the outside.
The Bucs could be looking for a middle linebacker if Barrett Ruud leaves via free agency, and more depth at outside linebacker also is a possibility. The uncertain future of suspended safety Tanard Jackson means the Bucs might have to look for depth at that position. The offensive needs aren’t as big, but the Bucs could use a running back to help share the load with LeGarrette Blount.
Mark Ingram is taking part in the University of Alabama’s pro day, and it’s worth pondering the running back because his name seems to be connected to some NFC South teams in some mock drafts.
There’s some logic behind that, although no team in the division has a dramatic need at running back. But three of the four can use some depth, and that’s where Ingram could come in. Forget the Carolina Panthers because they’re picking first overall and going with a different position. They're well stocked at running back even if DeAngelo Williams leaves as a free agent.
But the other three NFC South teams are picking in the 20s, which is where a lot of people are projecting Ingram to go. So, with the help of ESPN Stats & Information, let’s take a look at Ingram.
The thing that jumps out most about him is that he’s a power runner. Last season, 42.7 percent of Ingram’s yards came after contact. Ingram averaged 4.7 yards per carry when running between the tackles, and had five touchdown runs of 20 yards or more on plays up the middle.
If he sounds a little too much like Atlanta’s Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, and Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount, that’s only partially true. Ingram is much more of a receiving threat than any of those three. He was targeted 62 times and caught 53 passes last season. Of the nine incompletions, only three were drops. That gave Ingram a 94.6 catch percentage. The NFL average catch percentage for running backs last season was 92.6 percent.
I’m thinking Atlanta and Tampa Bay are probably longshots on Ingram. The Bucs need a competent backup for Blount, but they have other needs they probably want to address early in the draft. They can get a running back a little later or through free agency. While Ingram certainly would be much more of a receiving threat than Turner, I don’t see him really fitting with the Falcons.
Atlanta’s got enough power with Snelling and Turner. If the Falcons do anything at running back, it will be to add a speedster to fill the role Jerious Norwood never did because of his long history of injuries.
That leaves New Orleans. The Saints pick No. 24 and they also have other needs that might seem more pressing, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. But Sean Payton’s an offensive coach and he likes new toys. Even though the Saints just re-signed Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory did a nice job when pressed into duty last season, I wouldn’t rule out the Saints at least considering Ingram if he’s available when they pick. The Saints still haven’t tipped their hand on the future of Reggie Bush. Even if the Saints extend and restructure Bush’s contract, last season’s string of injuries at that position showed the importance of depth at running back.
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Marvin Gentry/US PresswireRunning back Mark Ingram thrives running between the tackles.
Marvin Gentry/US PresswireRunning back Mark Ingram thrives running between the tackles.But the other three NFC South teams are picking in the 20s, which is where a lot of people are projecting Ingram to go. So, with the help of ESPN Stats & Information, let’s take a look at Ingram.
The thing that jumps out most about him is that he’s a power runner. Last season, 42.7 percent of Ingram’s yards came after contact. Ingram averaged 4.7 yards per carry when running between the tackles, and had five touchdown runs of 20 yards or more on plays up the middle.
If he sounds a little too much like Atlanta’s Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, and Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount, that’s only partially true. Ingram is much more of a receiving threat than any of those three. He was targeted 62 times and caught 53 passes last season. Of the nine incompletions, only three were drops. That gave Ingram a 94.6 catch percentage. The NFL average catch percentage for running backs last season was 92.6 percent.
I’m thinking Atlanta and Tampa Bay are probably longshots on Ingram. The Bucs need a competent backup for Blount, but they have other needs they probably want to address early in the draft. They can get a running back a little later or through free agency. While Ingram certainly would be much more of a receiving threat than Turner, I don’t see him really fitting with the Falcons.
Atlanta’s got enough power with Snelling and Turner. If the Falcons do anything at running back, it will be to add a speedster to fill the role Jerious Norwood never did because of his long history of injuries.
That leaves New Orleans. The Saints pick No. 24 and they also have other needs that might seem more pressing, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. But Sean Payton’s an offensive coach and he likes new toys. Even though the Saints just re-signed Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory did a nice job when pressed into duty last season, I wouldn’t rule out the Saints at least considering Ingram if he’s available when they pick. The Saints still haven’t tipped their hand on the future of Reggie Bush. Even if the Saints extend and restructure Bush’s contract, last season’s string of injuries at that position showed the importance of depth at running back.
It’s already been a busy day in the NFC South and all around the NFL and that’s probably going to continue long into the night as we wait to see if there will be a labor lockout or perhaps an extension of the deadline for negotiations.
But things just got a little busier. The New Orleans Saints just sent out an announcement that the Saints Hall of Fame selection committee has selected the franchise’s all-time team as the franchise looks ahead to its 45th season. The committee is a collection of local media members and it selects an all-time Saints team every five years.
The latest version is out and here it is. Players with asterisks after their name were unanimous selections. The years after the players’ names indicate their time with the Saints.
Offense
But things just got a little busier. The New Orleans Saints just sent out an announcement that the Saints Hall of Fame selection committee has selected the franchise’s all-time team as the franchise looks ahead to its 45th season. The committee is a collection of local media members and it selects an all-time Saints team every five years.
The latest version is out and here it is. Players with asterisks after their name were unanimous selections. The years after the players’ names indicate their time with the Saints.
Offense
- Wide Receiver – Eric Martin* (1985-93)
- Wide Receiver – Joe Horn* (2000-06)
- Center – John Hill* (1975-84)
- Guard – Jim Dombrowski* (1986-96)
- Guard – Jahri Evans* (2006-present)
- Tackle – Willie Roaf* (1993-2001)
- Tackle – Stan Brock* (1980-92)
- Tight End – Hoby Brenner* (1981-93)
- Quarterback – Drew Brees* (2006-present)
- Running Back – Dalton Hilliard* (1986-93)
- Running Back – Deuce McAllister (2001-09)
- Athlete – Reggie Bush (2006-present)
- Defensive Line – Wayne Martin (1989-99)
- Defensive Line – Jim Wilks (1981-93)
- Defensive Line – Joe Johnson* (1994-98, 2000-01)
- Defensive Line – Will Smith (2004-present)
- Linebacker – Sam Mills* (1986-94)
- Linebacker – Vaughan Johnson* (1986-93)
- Linebacker – Rickey Jackson* (1981-93)
- Linebacker – Pat Swilling* (1986-92)
- Cornerback – Dave Waymer* (1980-89)
- Cornerback – Mike McKenzie (2004-09)
- Safety – Tommy Myers (1972-81)
- Safety – Sammy Knight (1997-02)
- Kicker – Morten Andersen *(1982-94)
- Punter – Tommy Barnhardt (1987, 89-94, 99)
- Special Teamer – Fred McAfee* (1991-93, 2000-06)
- Kick/Punt Returner – Michael Lewis* (2001-06)
- Sean Payton (2006-present)
Pierre Thomas deal solidifies RB situation
March, 3, 2011
3/03/11
4:00
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Here’s a bit of a surprise out of New Orleans. Brian Allee-Walsh reports the Saints have agreed to a four-year contract with running back Pierre Thomas. (Update: Moments later, the Saints sent out an official announcement about the Thomas deal).
To be totally honest, I’m more than a little shocked because I thought the Saints weren’t all that keen on keeping Thomas. I know they placed a restricted tender on him Thursday night, but I was going on the assumption it was probably a low tender and the Saints might let Thomas walk.
That’s largely because it sure seemed like there was a growing rift between the team and Thomas last season as he missed 10 games with an ankle injury. There were wide-spread reports of friction between Thomas and coach Sean Payton and implications that the team thought Thomas wasn’t healing fast enough.
But it appears Thomas erased all those doubts and concerns late in the regular season. After making two inconsequential appearances in December, Thomas came through with a big game against Atlanta on Dec. 27. With some other injuries in the backfield, the Saints didn’t have much choice but to lean heavily on Thomas.
They gave him 19 carries and he gave them 63 yards and a key touchdown. He also looked a lot like the player he was in 2009 and that might have changed some minds.
When healthy, Thomas is New Orleans’ best running back, and this move theoretically goes a long way in stabilizing a running game that struggled much of last season. Payton likes to play multiple running backs throughout a game. Chris Ivory showed some promise when forced into action last season, and the Saints still have Reggie Bush, who could be sticking around if his contract is extended to knock down his 2011 salary-cap hit.
A healthy trio of Thomas, Bush and Ivory isn’t a bad combination. Heck, you could even throw Lynell Hamilton into the mix. He’s a player the Saints liked before he got hurt last year. Suddenly, a New Orleans running game that was a weakness last year is looking like a strength.
To be totally honest, I’m more than a little shocked because I thought the Saints weren’t all that keen on keeping Thomas. I know they placed a restricted tender on him Thursday night, but I was going on the assumption it was probably a low tender and the Saints might let Thomas walk.
That’s largely because it sure seemed like there was a growing rift between the team and Thomas last season as he missed 10 games with an ankle injury. There were wide-spread reports of friction between Thomas and coach Sean Payton and implications that the team thought Thomas wasn’t healing fast enough.
But it appears Thomas erased all those doubts and concerns late in the regular season. After making two inconsequential appearances in December, Thomas came through with a big game against Atlanta on Dec. 27. With some other injuries in the backfield, the Saints didn’t have much choice but to lean heavily on Thomas.
They gave him 19 carries and he gave them 63 yards and a key touchdown. He also looked a lot like the player he was in 2009 and that might have changed some minds.
When healthy, Thomas is New Orleans’ best running back, and this move theoretically goes a long way in stabilizing a running game that struggled much of last season. Payton likes to play multiple running backs throughout a game. Chris Ivory showed some promise when forced into action last season, and the Saints still have Reggie Bush, who could be sticking around if his contract is extended to knock down his 2011 salary-cap hit.
A healthy trio of Thomas, Bush and Ivory isn’t a bad combination. Heck, you could even throw Lynell Hamilton into the mix. He’s a player the Saints liked before he got hurt last year. Suddenly, a New Orleans running game that was a weakness last year is looking like a strength.
Let’s take a run through some headlines from around the NFC South.
During his media session at the combine, Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward talked at length about his father. Craig “Ironhead’’ Heyward played for the Saints and Falcons and you could make a case that he’s one of the most popular players in NFC South history.
It’s pretty well known that the Saints have to make some sort of decision on Reggie Bush. He has a contract that’s scheduled to pay him $11.8 million in bases salary and take up $16 million in cap room. Extending Bush’s contract and spreading his salary out seems like the most logical solution, but release could also be a possibility. If nothing happens by Friday and there is a lockout, the Saints and Bush won’t be able to do anything until the labor situation is resolved.
Gary Shelton writes about how a lockout could impede the progress of the young Buccaneers. He’s right. We’ll have much more on this later this week if all signs continue to point to a lockout. We’ll take a look at how that will impact every team. But I’ll give you a little hint right now. The fact they’re young means a lockout will be harder on the Bucs and Panthers than it will on the Saints.
I’m hearing from some fans out there who are asking why LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson isn’t getting much mention as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick by the Panthers. There’s some good logic there because Peterson is the best cornerback in this draft and that’s likely to be a need position for the Panthers. But, as this story points out, the NFL is a league of habits and the habit has been not to take defensive backs too early. It’s rare for them to go in the top five and the earliest a cornerback ever was drafted was Seattle’s Shawn Springs, who was taken third overall in 1997.
Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow says now that he and quarterback Josh Freeman have a year together, he believes he can double his receiving statistics from last year.
During his media session at the combine, Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward talked at length about his father. Craig “Ironhead’’ Heyward played for the Saints and Falcons and you could make a case that he’s one of the most popular players in NFC South history.
It’s pretty well known that the Saints have to make some sort of decision on Reggie Bush. He has a contract that’s scheduled to pay him $11.8 million in bases salary and take up $16 million in cap room. Extending Bush’s contract and spreading his salary out seems like the most logical solution, but release could also be a possibility. If nothing happens by Friday and there is a lockout, the Saints and Bush won’t be able to do anything until the labor situation is resolved.
Gary Shelton writes about how a lockout could impede the progress of the young Buccaneers. He’s right. We’ll have much more on this later this week if all signs continue to point to a lockout. We’ll take a look at how that will impact every team. But I’ll give you a little hint right now. The fact they’re young means a lockout will be harder on the Bucs and Panthers than it will on the Saints.
I’m hearing from some fans out there who are asking why LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson isn’t getting much mention as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick by the Panthers. There’s some good logic there because Peterson is the best cornerback in this draft and that’s likely to be a need position for the Panthers. But, as this story points out, the NFL is a league of habits and the habit has been not to take defensive backs too early. It’s rare for them to go in the top five and the earliest a cornerback ever was drafted was Seattle’s Shawn Springs, who was taken third overall in 1997.
Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow says now that he and quarterback Josh Freeman have a year together, he believes he can double his receiving statistics from last year.
Could Portis, Harris fit in NFC South?
February, 28, 2011
2/28/11
4:49
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
We’ve had a couple of big-name releases in the NFL on Monday. Washington cut ties with running back Clinton Portis and Chicago released defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Jeff Fishbein/Icon SMIClinton Portis has almost 10,000 career rushing yards, but he had just 227 last season.I haven’t had a chance to check the mailbag yet, but I’m sure there already are some questions about if either player might be a fit in the NFC South. Let’s start with the usual labor clarifications. Portis and Harris would be available to sign as free agents immediately since they were released and didn’t become free agents by playing out their contracts. But the window of opportunity could be very limited. If a labor lockout starts Saturday, as many expect, Portis and Harris would join the other 500 or so potential free agents in a situation where all signings would be frozen until there is a new labor agreement.
Could Portis or Harris be candidates to get anything with an NFC South team by the end of the day Friday?
Let’s take a look at each and we’ll start with Portis. He once was one of the league’s top running backs, but he’s 29 now and has a lot of mileage. His days as a feature back probably are over, but Portis could fit in as a role player. I think Carolina’s set at running back. Tampa Bay’s got LeGarrette Blount as a feature back and would like to keep Cadillac Williams as a third-down back. The Bucs could use a quality backup for Blount, but I’m thinking they want a younger set of legs. Same for Atlanta, as the Falcons search for a speed back to go with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling.
That leaves New Orleans and I see Saints as the one team in the division that could have an interest in Portis. Chris Ivory will be back and Reggie Bush probably will be back. Pierre Thomas is likely to leave as a free agent and that means the Saints need someone to go in their rotation with Ivory and Bush. My gut is the Saints would like to get a younger running back, but they’re the team in the division that has shown the most willingness to bring in veterans in recent years. Might be a long shot and the Saints may wait until everything is sorted out with the draft and the labor situation, but New Orleans is the one team I could at least see looking into Portis.
Now, let’s move to Harris. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, who fell out of favor and into a limited role last season. But he is a guy who could produce some with a fresh start. I’ll scratch Tampa Bay and Atlanta off the list immediately because they seem set at defensive tackle and have lots of youth. Carolina has a need and Ron Rivera was in Chicago for part of Harris’ time there. Even though the Panthers might use the first overall draft pick on Auburn’s Nick Fairley, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of bringing in Harris.
New Orleans at least make sense in the case of Harris. The Saints have Sedrick Ellis, but not much else at defensive tackle. The Saints had very good luck bringing in linebacker Jonathan Vilma and decent luck with tight end Jeremy Shockey, a pair of guys who had flamed out in their previous homes. Although Shockey was released last week, the Saints got some production from him. I view Harris as a guy like Vilma and Shockey. He still has some ability, but wasn’t a fit in Chicago. I’m not saying Harris will come in and suddenly be a Pro Bowler again, but I think he’d be an upgrade for the Saints and that makes him worth at least considering.
Jeff Fishbein/Icon SMIClinton Portis has almost 10,000 career rushing yards, but he had just 227 last season.Could Portis or Harris be candidates to get anything with an NFC South team by the end of the day Friday?
Let’s take a look at each and we’ll start with Portis. He once was one of the league’s top running backs, but he’s 29 now and has a lot of mileage. His days as a feature back probably are over, but Portis could fit in as a role player. I think Carolina’s set at running back. Tampa Bay’s got LeGarrette Blount as a feature back and would like to keep Cadillac Williams as a third-down back. The Bucs could use a quality backup for Blount, but I’m thinking they want a younger set of legs. Same for Atlanta, as the Falcons search for a speed back to go with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling.
That leaves New Orleans and I see Saints as the one team in the division that could have an interest in Portis. Chris Ivory will be back and Reggie Bush probably will be back. Pierre Thomas is likely to leave as a free agent and that means the Saints need someone to go in their rotation with Ivory and Bush. My gut is the Saints would like to get a younger running back, but they’re the team in the division that has shown the most willingness to bring in veterans in recent years. Might be a long shot and the Saints may wait until everything is sorted out with the draft and the labor situation, but New Orleans is the one team I could at least see looking into Portis.
New Orleans at least make sense in the case of Harris. The Saints have Sedrick Ellis, but not much else at defensive tackle. The Saints had very good luck bringing in linebacker Jonathan Vilma and decent luck with tight end Jeremy Shockey, a pair of guys who had flamed out in their previous homes. Although Shockey was released last week, the Saints got some production from him. I view Harris as a guy like Vilma and Shockey. He still has some ability, but wasn’t a fit in Chicago. I’m not saying Harris will come in and suddenly be a Pro Bowler again, but I think he’d be an upgrade for the Saints and that makes him worth at least considering.
The New Orleans Saints are up as we continue our series of team-by-team draft needs.
For a look at New Orleans’ needs through another set of eyes, check out our friends at HoopDat.
- Defensive end. The Saints let Charles Grant go last season and Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson were adequate. But neither of them give the Saints anything special. The Saints need another pass rusher to go with Will Smith. The Gregg Williams defense is at its best when it can force other teams into turnovers.
- Outside linebacker. The Saints let Scott Fujita go in free agency last year and it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. But several guys who were in contention to take over for Fujita got hurt and the position never really got filled. The Saints could use a speedy playmaker to put next to middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
- Running back. A lot of New Orleans fans don’t seem willing to believe it, but Pierre Thomas almost certainly will be allowed to walk as a free agent. He fell into the doghouse when his ankle injury was slow to heal last season. Chris Ivory did a nice job filling in when Thomas and Reggie Bush were out. But the Saints need consistency at this position and that means adding a running back who can handle a good chunk of carries to go with Bush and Ivory.
- Defensive tackle. Sedrick Ellis has developed into a solid player, but the Saints don’t have much in the middle beside him. It’s time to upgrade the talent level here.
- Offensive tackle. I know the Saints drafted Charles Brown last year. But, if he's not ready to start, I'm not sure this offense can endure another year of Jermon Bushrod at left tackle.
For a look at New Orleans’ needs through another set of eyes, check out our friends at HoopDat.
Could Reggie Bush be next for Saints?
February, 22, 2011
2/22/11
6:52
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
With the New Orleans Saints’ release of Jeremy Shockey on Tuesday, there comes an obvious question. Who’s next?
If you’re thinking the answer is Reggie Bush, you might be right. And you might be wrong. This one is going to be a very tough call and I’m glad I don’t have to make it. Coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis will have to make the decision and let’s take a glance at some of the numbers they’ll be looking at.
Bush is scheduled to make $11.8 million in base salary in the final season of his contract. More importantly, he’s scheduled to have a $16 million cap figure. Assuming a labor deal gets done and there is a salary cap, there’s no way Bush will play at that figure.
That leaves the Saints with two choices. They could talk to Bush about a contract extension that would spread this year’s base salary over more years and make this season’s cap figure much more friendly. Say what you want about Bush and how he hasn’t lived up to his college hype, but I think the Saints see him as a unique and valuable player. They seem to have a real affinity for them and Bush seems to like the organization and the New Orleans area. If that’s all true, it wouldn’t be all that difficult to work out a deal to keep everyone happy.
The other option would be to cut Bush. The Saints would free up $12.6 million by doing that. But they still would be on the hook for $3.4 million in cap space. That’s a lot of money to count toward a player no longer on your roster, especially when there are ways to keep him on your roster and make him fit nicely by making some contract adjustments. Remember, the Saints are likely to let Pierre Thomas walk into free agency. If they don't have Bush, they would be down to just Chris Ivory and whoever they bring in at running back.
If you’re thinking the answer is Reggie Bush, you might be right. And you might be wrong. This one is going to be a very tough call and I’m glad I don’t have to make it. Coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis will have to make the decision and let’s take a glance at some of the numbers they’ll be looking at.
Bush is scheduled to make $11.8 million in base salary in the final season of his contract. More importantly, he’s scheduled to have a $16 million cap figure. Assuming a labor deal gets done and there is a salary cap, there’s no way Bush will play at that figure.
That leaves the Saints with two choices. They could talk to Bush about a contract extension that would spread this year’s base salary over more years and make this season’s cap figure much more friendly. Say what you want about Bush and how he hasn’t lived up to his college hype, but I think the Saints see him as a unique and valuable player. They seem to have a real affinity for them and Bush seems to like the organization and the New Orleans area. If that’s all true, it wouldn’t be all that difficult to work out a deal to keep everyone happy.
The other option would be to cut Bush. The Saints would free up $12.6 million by doing that. But they still would be on the hook for $3.4 million in cap space. That’s a lot of money to count toward a player no longer on your roster, especially when there are ways to keep him on your roster and make him fit nicely by making some contract adjustments. Remember, the Saints are likely to let Pierre Thomas walk into free agency. If they don't have Bush, they would be down to just Chris Ivory and whoever they bring in at running back.
Let’s take a plunge into the NFC South mailbag.
Frank in Clearwater, Fla., asks if the Bucs might follow a strategy similar to last year and draft defensive ends with their first two picks.
Pat Yasinskas: I wouldn’t rule that out at all. The Bucs set the precedent last year when they were desperate for help at defensive tackle and took Gerald McCoy and Brian Price with their first two picks. This year, they’re desperate for help at defensive end. They almost have to use at least one of their early picks on a defensive end and I wouldn’t be surprised if a second draft pick is used on a defensive end. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they sign a defensive end in free agency.
Ned in Canada wrote to say the Falcons should draft a wide receiver or a running back that’s a home-run threat because the only one they have is Roddy White.
Pat Yasinskas: No argument here. I said in our Leading Questions segment Tuesday the Falcons need to add a playmaker on offense and defense if they really want to take the next step. They do have to get a defensive end somewhere early in the draft or free agency. But I’d like to see them use an early draft pick on a receiver or running back with breakaway speed.
Sean in Charlotte, N.C., asks about the possibility of the Panthers signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress once he’s released from prison.
Pat Yasinskas: Not sure how long you’ve been in Charlotte, but if you’ve followed the history of the Panthers, you’d know there’s no chance of this happening. Ever since the Rae Carruth saga, owner Jerry Richardson has made sure the Panthers stay clear of any players with trouble in their background.
Clint in Santa Cruz, Calif., asks about the possibility of Burress landing with the Bucs.
Pat Yasinskas: Nice thought, but the Bucs are in a youth movement. They already have good young receivers in Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn and Sammie Stroughter. Burress will be 34 before next season starts. If the Bucs wanted an old wide receiver they could have just hung onto Joey Galloway.
Jamie in Minden, Nev., asks about the future of Reggie Bush with the Saints.
Pat Yasinskas: Bush remains under contract to the Saints. He has a big salary and that would make him tough to trade. I don’t think the Saints really want to trade him. He’s a Sean Payton favorite. I think you could see a situation where the Saints restructure Bush’s contract to make sure they keep him. But I also think last year’s injury problems at running back and the likely departure of Pierre Thomas mean the Saints will seek another running back to go with Bush and Chris Ivory.
Steve in New Jersey asks if Carolina owner Jerry Richardson’s hard-line stance in the labor negotiations could end up hurting the Panthers down the road.
Pat Yasinskas: That’s a good point because the labor situation is getting nasty and Richardson’s right in the middle of it all. That could come back to haunt him with players perceiving him in a negative light. It would be pretty ironic because Carolina used to be viewed as a destination spot by a lot of players because Richardson, a former player, was widely considered one of the best owners in the league, Bank of America Stadium is a top-notch facility and Charlotte’s a nice place to live and has decent weather.
Devin in Tampa writes that the Glazer family seems very uninterested and uninvolved in the Buccaneers and asks about the possibility of Eddie DeBartolo buying the team and being a hands-on owner.
Pat Yasinskas: Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how some people in the Tampa Bay area continue to perceive the Glazers. Let’s clarify what I think is Devin’s biggest misconception. The Glazers are very involved and interested in their team. If you’re around One Buc Place, you’ll almost always see a Glazer brother around. Their employees will tell you they’re very involved in business operations. It’s true that they’re not heavily involved in football operations, but I view that as a good thing. Leave the football stuff to general manager Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris. They seem to have things going in the right direction. Also, I think the Glazers get labeled because they’re not out in front of the cameras all the time. Is that really necessary for owners? How’s that worked out for Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones? Finally, Eddie DeBartolo had to disassociate himself from the San Francisco 49ers for legal reasons. Even if the Bucs were for sale, and they’re not, it might be difficult for DeBartolo to get back into the league.
Frank in Clearwater, Fla., asks if the Bucs might follow a strategy similar to last year and draft defensive ends with their first two picks.
Pat Yasinskas: I wouldn’t rule that out at all. The Bucs set the precedent last year when they were desperate for help at defensive tackle and took Gerald McCoy and Brian Price with their first two picks. This year, they’re desperate for help at defensive end. They almost have to use at least one of their early picks on a defensive end and I wouldn’t be surprised if a second draft pick is used on a defensive end. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they sign a defensive end in free agency.
Ned in Canada wrote to say the Falcons should draft a wide receiver or a running back that’s a home-run threat because the only one they have is Roddy White.
Pat Yasinskas: No argument here. I said in our Leading Questions segment Tuesday the Falcons need to add a playmaker on offense and defense if they really want to take the next step. They do have to get a defensive end somewhere early in the draft or free agency. But I’d like to see them use an early draft pick on a receiver or running back with breakaway speed.
Sean in Charlotte, N.C., asks about the possibility of the Panthers signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress once he’s released from prison.
Pat Yasinskas: Not sure how long you’ve been in Charlotte, but if you’ve followed the history of the Panthers, you’d know there’s no chance of this happening. Ever since the Rae Carruth saga, owner Jerry Richardson has made sure the Panthers stay clear of any players with trouble in their background.
Clint in Santa Cruz, Calif., asks about the possibility of Burress landing with the Bucs.
Pat Yasinskas: Nice thought, but the Bucs are in a youth movement. They already have good young receivers in Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn and Sammie Stroughter. Burress will be 34 before next season starts. If the Bucs wanted an old wide receiver they could have just hung onto Joey Galloway.
Jamie in Minden, Nev., asks about the future of Reggie Bush with the Saints.
Pat Yasinskas: Bush remains under contract to the Saints. He has a big salary and that would make him tough to trade. I don’t think the Saints really want to trade him. He’s a Sean Payton favorite. I think you could see a situation where the Saints restructure Bush’s contract to make sure they keep him. But I also think last year’s injury problems at running back and the likely departure of Pierre Thomas mean the Saints will seek another running back to go with Bush and Chris Ivory.
Steve in New Jersey asks if Carolina owner Jerry Richardson’s hard-line stance in the labor negotiations could end up hurting the Panthers down the road.
Pat Yasinskas: That’s a good point because the labor situation is getting nasty and Richardson’s right in the middle of it all. That could come back to haunt him with players perceiving him in a negative light. It would be pretty ironic because Carolina used to be viewed as a destination spot by a lot of players because Richardson, a former player, was widely considered one of the best owners in the league, Bank of America Stadium is a top-notch facility and Charlotte’s a nice place to live and has decent weather.
Devin in Tampa writes that the Glazer family seems very uninterested and uninvolved in the Buccaneers and asks about the possibility of Eddie DeBartolo buying the team and being a hands-on owner.
Pat Yasinskas: Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how some people in the Tampa Bay area continue to perceive the Glazers. Let’s clarify what I think is Devin’s biggest misconception. The Glazers are very involved and interested in their team. If you’re around One Buc Place, you’ll almost always see a Glazer brother around. Their employees will tell you they’re very involved in business operations. It’s true that they’re not heavily involved in football operations, but I view that as a good thing. Leave the football stuff to general manager Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris. They seem to have things going in the right direction. Also, I think the Glazers get labeled because they’re not out in front of the cameras all the time. Is that really necessary for owners? How’s that worked out for Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones? Finally, Eddie DeBartolo had to disassociate himself from the San Francisco 49ers for legal reasons. Even if the Bucs were for sale, and they’re not, it might be difficult for DeBartolo to get back into the league.
With the offseason in full swing, let’s take a look at one major question facing each NFC South team as it begins preparations for the 2011 season:
ATLANTA FALCONS
How do the Falcons take the next step?
Atlanta went an NFC-best 13-3 in the regular season, but got eliminated at home in the playoffs by Green Bay. That was painful proof that the Falcons haven’t quite arrived despite three consecutive winning seasons since coach Mike Smith took over. The Falcons played like a well-oiled machine through most of the regular season and it would be easy to say the machine just got clogged in the playoffs. But that’s not what really happened. The Falcons were successful during the regular season because they played smart football and didn’t do anything to beat themselves. But the reality here is the machine might need a few more parts for the Falcons truly to go out and beat other teams.
The core is solid with guys like quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Roddy White, running back Michael Turner and linebacker Curtis Lofton. But White was the only real playmaker on offense last season, and defensive end John Abraham, who is nearing the end of his career, was the only one on defense. Whether it’s a speed back or a wide receiver who can provide a deep threat, the Falcons need to find a difference-maker on offense. They need the same thing on defense, and a pass-rusher to complement, and eventually replace, Abraham could be the top priority in the draft.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
What does Carolina do at quarterback?
A new era is starting with the arrival of coach Ron Rivera, and everyone in the organization knows it can’t be like the final few seasons of John Fox’s tenure. The Panthers simply stopped having a legitimate NFL offense. Fox’s conservative approach to offense certainly played a role, but the real problem is that the Panthers simply haven’t had a dependable quarterback since Jake Delhomme fell apart in a playoff loss to Arizona at the end of the 2008 season. That’s handcuffed the entire franchise and was the major reason the Panthers went 2-14 last year.
In typical Fox fashion, he handed the starting job to career backup Matt Moore. When that didn’t work, Fox reluctantly turned to Jimmy Clausen and didn’t help the rookie’s confidence by yanking him out of the lineup several times. Although some in the organization believe, with a fresh start, Clausen can develop into a decent starter, the Panthers can’t rely totally on that. This franchise has to do something major to get a viable alternative at quarterback. With the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Panthers could take a leap on Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton, but neither comes with any guarantees. With talk that Donovan McNabb, Carson Palmer, Vince Young and Kevin Kolb could be available, the Panthers might have to break from tradition and sign or trade for a veteran. With receiver Steve Smith, running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and a talented offensive line, the Panthers can’t afford to continue to let the offense rot away due to ineffective play at quarterback.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Can the Saints get back to the Super Bowl?
The nucleus of the 2009 team that went on to win the Super Bowl remains largely in place, so there’s no reason the Saints shouldn’t at least be in contention for a deep playoff run. They never really suffered the collapse that’s been common for many recent Super Bowl winners as they went 11-5 in 2010. But they weren’t the same dominant and explosive team. Injuries played a role in that and a few holes were exposed.
But a little better luck on the injury front and a few tweaks could put the Saints right back where they were. After the season, quarterback Drew Brees admitted he played part of the year with a sprained knee. That might explain why he wasn’t as precise as the Super Bowl season, and a healthy Brees automatically would make the Saints better. But the biggest issue on offense is the running game. With Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush banged-up for most of the season, the Saints weren’t able to run the ball consistently. Chris Ivory stepped in and did a nice job at times, but the Saints know they have to upgrade in this area. Thomas probably will be allowed to leave as a free agent. The Saints probably will use an early draft pick on a running back or sign someone of significance in free agency. On defense, the Saints have to get back to being opportunistic and taking advantage of turnovers like they did in the Super Bowl season. Upgrading the pass rush is the best way to make sure that happens.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Where will the Bucs find an outside pass rush?
Not on their current roster. Stylez G. White and Tim Crowder are just “guys’’ and that showed all too often as Tampa Bay’s pass rush was anemic. The Bucs broke from tradition and won with offense -- mainly quarterback Josh Freeman -- for the first time in franchise history last season. There is talent elsewhere on defense, but the Bucs need to improve the pass rush to elevate the overall play of the defense and make this a complete team.
Look for something similar to last offseason when the Bucs realized they had problems at defensive tackle. They went out and used their first two draft picks on Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. Both ended up having their seasons shortened by injuries, but both showed some promise. They’ll be back healthy and will be joined by Roy Miller in the middle. That trio should create a decent inside pass rush, but the Bucs know they need more talent on the outside. It might not be the same scenario as last year with the Bucs using their top two picks on defensive ends. They may draft one early and look for another potential starter in free agency.
ATLANTA FALCONS
How do the Falcons take the next step?
Atlanta went an NFC-best 13-3 in the regular season, but got eliminated at home in the playoffs by Green Bay. That was painful proof that the Falcons haven’t quite arrived despite three consecutive winning seasons since coach Mike Smith took over. The Falcons played like a well-oiled machine through most of the regular season and it would be easy to say the machine just got clogged in the playoffs. But that’s not what really happened. The Falcons were successful during the regular season because they played smart football and didn’t do anything to beat themselves. But the reality here is the machine might need a few more parts for the Falcons truly to go out and beat other teams.
The core is solid with guys like quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Roddy White, running back Michael Turner and linebacker Curtis Lofton. But White was the only real playmaker on offense last season, and defensive end John Abraham, who is nearing the end of his career, was the only one on defense. Whether it’s a speed back or a wide receiver who can provide a deep threat, the Falcons need to find a difference-maker on offense. They need the same thing on defense, and a pass-rusher to complement, and eventually replace, Abraham could be the top priority in the draft.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
What does Carolina do at quarterback?
A new era is starting with the arrival of coach Ron Rivera, and everyone in the organization knows it can’t be like the final few seasons of John Fox’s tenure. The Panthers simply stopped having a legitimate NFL offense. Fox’s conservative approach to offense certainly played a role, but the real problem is that the Panthers simply haven’t had a dependable quarterback since Jake Delhomme fell apart in a playoff loss to Arizona at the end of the 2008 season. That’s handcuffed the entire franchise and was the major reason the Panthers went 2-14 last year.
In typical Fox fashion, he handed the starting job to career backup Matt Moore. When that didn’t work, Fox reluctantly turned to Jimmy Clausen and didn’t help the rookie’s confidence by yanking him out of the lineup several times. Although some in the organization believe, with a fresh start, Clausen can develop into a decent starter, the Panthers can’t rely totally on that. This franchise has to do something major to get a viable alternative at quarterback. With the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Panthers could take a leap on Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton, but neither comes with any guarantees. With talk that Donovan McNabb, Carson Palmer, Vince Young and Kevin Kolb could be available, the Panthers might have to break from tradition and sign or trade for a veteran. With receiver Steve Smith, running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and a talented offensive line, the Panthers can’t afford to continue to let the offense rot away due to ineffective play at quarterback.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Can the Saints get back to the Super Bowl?
The nucleus of the 2009 team that went on to win the Super Bowl remains largely in place, so there’s no reason the Saints shouldn’t at least be in contention for a deep playoff run. They never really suffered the collapse that’s been common for many recent Super Bowl winners as they went 11-5 in 2010. But they weren’t the same dominant and explosive team. Injuries played a role in that and a few holes were exposed.
But a little better luck on the injury front and a few tweaks could put the Saints right back where they were. After the season, quarterback Drew Brees admitted he played part of the year with a sprained knee. That might explain why he wasn’t as precise as the Super Bowl season, and a healthy Brees automatically would make the Saints better. But the biggest issue on offense is the running game. With Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush banged-up for most of the season, the Saints weren’t able to run the ball consistently. Chris Ivory stepped in and did a nice job at times, but the Saints know they have to upgrade in this area. Thomas probably will be allowed to leave as a free agent. The Saints probably will use an early draft pick on a running back or sign someone of significance in free agency. On defense, the Saints have to get back to being opportunistic and taking advantage of turnovers like they did in the Super Bowl season. Upgrading the pass rush is the best way to make sure that happens.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Where will the Bucs find an outside pass rush?
Not on their current roster. Stylez G. White and Tim Crowder are just “guys’’ and that showed all too often as Tampa Bay’s pass rush was anemic. The Bucs broke from tradition and won with offense -- mainly quarterback Josh Freeman -- for the first time in franchise history last season. There is talent elsewhere on defense, but the Bucs need to improve the pass rush to elevate the overall play of the defense and make this a complete team.
Look for something similar to last offseason when the Bucs realized they had problems at defensive tackle. They went out and used their first two draft picks on Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. Both ended up having their seasons shortened by injuries, but both showed some promise. They’ll be back healthy and will be joined by Roy Miller in the middle. That trio should create a decent inside pass rush, but the Bucs know they need more talent on the outside. It might not be the same scenario as last year with the Bucs using their top two picks on defensive ends. They may draft one early and look for another potential starter in free agency.
Atlanta Falcons
Troy Heinzman takes a look at the Falcons' draft tendencies since 2008.
Mike Reiter writes that the Falcons should strongly consider bringing back pending free agent cornerback Brian Williams.
ESPN's John Clayton addresses the Falcons' draft needs in his mailbag.
The Jets have hired former Falcons assistant Bill Hughan as their new strength coach, replacing Sal Alosi.
Carolina Panthers
Potential No. 1 overall draft pick, Da'Quan Bowers, underwent arthroscopic surgery shortly after Clemson's loss in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It's unclear how the surgery will affect Bowers at the NFL combine.
The Panthers should attempt to trade receiver Steve Smith for more draft picks, according NFL.com's Michael Lombardi.
New Orleans Saints
Mike Triplett looks at some veteran players who may need to renegotiate their contracts to stick with the Saints. Among the candidates: Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey and Devery Henderson.
The Saints could play in the first game of the regular season for the second straight year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Josh Freeman plans to continue working out with teammates even if the owners lock the players out in early March.
Former Bucs Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott were inducted Friday night into the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame.
Troy Heinzman takes a look at the Falcons' draft tendencies since 2008.
Mike Reiter writes that the Falcons should strongly consider bringing back pending free agent cornerback Brian Williams.
ESPN's John Clayton addresses the Falcons' draft needs in his mailbag.
The Jets have hired former Falcons assistant Bill Hughan as their new strength coach, replacing Sal Alosi.
Carolina Panthers
Potential No. 1 overall draft pick, Da'Quan Bowers, underwent arthroscopic surgery shortly after Clemson's loss in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It's unclear how the surgery will affect Bowers at the NFL combine.
The Panthers should attempt to trade receiver Steve Smith for more draft picks, according NFL.com's Michael Lombardi.
New Orleans Saints
Mike Triplett looks at some veteran players who may need to renegotiate their contracts to stick with the Saints. Among the candidates: Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey and Devery Henderson.
The Saints could play in the first game of the regular season for the second straight year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Josh Freeman plans to continue working out with teammates even if the owners lock the players out in early March.
Former Bucs Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott were inducted Friday night into the Tampa Sports Hall of Fame.
Although the New Orleans Saints have more than 20 potential free agents and some obvious holes to fill, it sounds like one of their top offseason priorities is to reach a deal on a long-term contract extension with quarterback Drew Brees.
BreesIn a radio interview at the Senior Bowl earlier this week, general manager Mickey Loomis sounded very confident the Saints will get a deal done with Brees. He wouldn’t get into any timeline on that and you can’t blame him.
The Saints could work an extension with Brees before the March 3 deadline for a potential lockout if no labor agreement is reached. It would be nice for both sides to get that out of the way.
But working a deal now might not be in the best interest of either side. It might be best to wait until a new labor agreement is reached because there could be some nuances in a new labor agreement that might change the way the Saints would want to structure Brees’ contract.
Loomis wasn't nearly as definitive when asked what the future might hold for Reggie Bush. The running back has said he'd be willing to restructure his contract to help the team. But Loomis said the Saints are still in the process of evaluating their situation at running back.
The Saints could work an extension with Brees before the March 3 deadline for a potential lockout if no labor agreement is reached. It would be nice for both sides to get that out of the way.
But working a deal now might not be in the best interest of either side. It might be best to wait until a new labor agreement is reached because there could be some nuances in a new labor agreement that might change the way the Saints would want to structure Brees’ contract.
Loomis wasn't nearly as definitive when asked what the future might hold for Reggie Bush. The running back has said he'd be willing to restructure his contract to help the team. But Loomis said the Saints are still in the process of evaluating their situation at running back.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
