Okay, which players are in their make or break season this year

kRocket · #1 08-23-2009, 12:33 PM

Hi folks,

After watching the Saints game it looked like our defense might have the same problems that it had last year and the year before, stopping the run. The center of our line seems to be pretty porous. The offensive line is a little shaky when it comes to run-blocking so which players heads are on the block this year. Whether it means cut, trade, or demotion, who do you think is on shaky ground this year?

I think this pre-season might be a good time to trade DR and Owens for some line help. Do you think so too?

NBT · #2 08-23-2009, 01:27 PM

To whom?.....And for what? After the Saints game it is plain we need all the help we can get.

Big Texas · #3 08-23-2009, 04:19 PM

As far as the Oline concerns, we are missing two starters and I am not nearly as troubled by them as I am about the interior Dline.

The talk all last year was that we needed to get pressure on the QB. So we focused there. Now we are getting some decent pressure (by the way: I loved that tandem of Smith and Williams in the backfield on Brees forcing the (falsely overturned) fumble and recovery) However, in doing so we neglected basic run defense concepts such as lane integrity and gap assignments.

It just seemed that we were not prepared for the "change-up" we got. Because we definitely got the change-up.

kRocket · #4 08-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Again, which players are on the bubble this year to make it or get demoted, traded or let go.

At best, it seems we are renting Owens and DRob for a year so why not trade them for something useful to us now and in the future.

Sorry, I don't post theoretical trade threads (i.e. trade our marginal player for their all-star). If you can make that trade happen, be my guest.

Big Texas · #5 08-23-2009, 09:44 PM

I don't see a reason to trade O.Daniels. He has done nothing but become a solid figure in our offense and pro bowl worthy. This guy could actually become one of the greatest pass catching TEs in the league. In the right system of course. The problem was why did we draft all those TEs. As far as Dunta, if anyone wanted him I am sure they would have been calling by now. He needs to prove something this year possibly in the first 4-5 games to become valuable trade bait.

However to answer your question, I would venture to say Travis Johnson and Chris Johnson are the only two I think should make major improvements this year. Everyone else has either proven their worth or has not been evaluated long enough.

Also, as just something to consider, Shaub is a fantastic QB when healthy...

barrett · #6 08-23-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kRocket

Again, which players are on the bubble this year to make it or get demoted, traded or let go.

At best, it seems we are renting Owens and DRob for a year so why not trade them for something useful to us now and in the future.

Sorry, I don't post theoretical trade threads (i.e. trade our marginal player for their all-star). If you can make that trade happen, be my guest.

You need a trade partner to trade a guy. That means a team willing to give Dunta the long term deal he wants, and give us someone who helps immediately (or a high draft pick next year). If such a team existed Dunta would already be gone.

Nconroe · #7 08-24-2009, 08:41 PM

Most teams would likely right now wait till teams cut to 53 and then pick up guys more or less without giving up anything. But, we seem right now to be deepest at WR and TE, so if someone were desperate, we might do a trade there. For me, I'd keep last years starters ,and trade only if it is a good offer.

Defense seems where we need to get stronger, not trade away. still, not sure right now, but cuts will be interesting. need to see how things develop.

superbowlbound · #8 08-25-2009, 10:13 PM

Make or break seasons? Amobi, TJ, Dunta. Amobi has shown nothing thus far, and while i've always been a "give the kid time, he's so young" guy, by this point we really should be starting to see some flashes, if anything. I don't know about you guys, but I just haven't seen anything that makes me think he'll make the leap.

TJ has been a disappointment since he got here. Maybe we'd all think differently of him if he'd been a 3rd round pick, but he's not. Looking at the roster, I think he's gonna have a tough time making this team.

Dunta's gotta be on that list, given the money he turned down and the incessant fit he's pitched this whole offseason. If he doesn't not only return to form but make a significant step forward, methinks he's going to be kicking himself pretty hard for turning down that money.

I wouldn't be surprised at all, given the flashes that Connor has shown in just 2 games, and the complete absence of anything noteworthy (aside from deljuan, who's played well) at the DT position, to see a whole lot of antonio smith inside, and not just on passing downs. Connor's constantly showing that he wants more and more time on the field, and with that motor, it's gonna be tough to keep him on the sidelines.