The New Orleans Saints finished the 2011 regular season with an impressive 13-3 record, but they were unable to carry that momentum to a Super Bowl appearance as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the second round on a last-second touchdown. Now, though, it seems that failing to get back to the Super Bowl is the least of their worries as the Saints seem to be mired in a controversy centered around a defensive bounty program. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season as a result, and several defensive players are still waiting to hear their fate. While the defense figures to struggle in 2012, it's common knowledge that the Saints feature one of the top offenses in the NFL. This year, the Saints will struggle to find improvements through the draft, as they do not have a first-round draft pick. Here are some of the Saints' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their biggest needs heading into the draft.
Additions:
Nfl 2012
ILB Curtis Lofton
ILB David Hawthorne
DT Brodrick Bunkley
G Ben Grubbs
Subtractions:
WR Robert Meachem
G Carl Nicks
CB Tracy Porter
CB Leigh Torrence
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Top 5 Needs:
1. Defensive End
The Saints really had a hard time trying to put pressure on the quarterback last year. As a team, they only had 33 sacks last year. Steve Spagnuolo, the new defensive coordinator, will feature a defense that is centered on getting to the quarterback. In order to do that, Spagnuolo says the team needs to have a surplus of athletic defensive ends. The Saints will have a hard time getting an elite prospect, though, as they won't be picking until late in the third round.
2. Defensive Tackle
Spagnuolo also states that you need to be deep at the defensive tackle spot to really make a difference defensively. His goal with the Saints is to install a defense similar to his days with the New York Giants. New Orleans went out and pried Brodrick Bunkley away from the Denver Broncos to help at defensive tackle. Bunkley is a solid addition, but his forte is stopping the run. The team needs to acquire a defensive tackle who can get pressure up in the middle.
3. Cornerback
The Denver Broncos were able to pry Tracy Porter away from the Saints in the offseason. While the Saints still have corners Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson to fall back on, they need to look for some added depth. Second-year corner Johnny Patrick should get more burn this year, but there isn't much else on the depth chart.
4. Linebacker
The Saints will more than likely be without the services of Pro Bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma for most, if not all, of the 2012 season due to a suspension. The Saints already needed an upgrade at both outside spots, and with the loss of Vilma, this was supposed to be the team's biggest need heading into the offseason. But the team has done an excellent job bringing in players who are really ready to make an impact. Cutris Lofton was signed to replace Vilma and David Hathorne and Chris Chamberlain will probably man the outside. The Saints could definitely use some added depth, but right now, linebacker is no longer a huge priority.
5. Wide Receiver
The Saints avoided a huge loss when they re-signed star wideout Marques Colston, but lost Robert Meachem in the process. The Saints can stand to use their draft picks on other needs, but they should be able to land someone in free agency.
2012 New Orleans Saints Offseason Needs
Click here for the latest odds from the respected site BetFirms.com.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น