Senior Bowl 2011: Players the New Orleans Saints Are Watching This Week
If I were merely writing a New Orleans Saints 2011 Team Needs article, I could have done so the day after the team was sadly eliminated from the playoffs. But since I am writing an article relating the teams' needs with the players at the 2011 Senior Bowl, it was necessary to wait until the rosters were finalized, which was actually today.
With LSU defensive lineman Drake Nevis pulling out of the game today, teams now know who is in, and who is out for this week's practices (which mean much more than Saturday's actual game).
Instead, this column is meant to describe what in my opinion are the team's largest needs with some players who I think based on film, this week, and the rest of the draft process could fit one of those needs come Draft Weekend in late April.
WR Vincent Brown San Diego State
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Some potential picks that I see for this Saints' team regard replacing extremely productive players.
In this case, I see Vincent Brown as Lance Moore 2.0. As much as I love Lance, I feel as if he may be too costly to keep.
As a San Diego State Alum, and Aztec fan, I've seen a lot of Brown and knew right away he had that "It factor". He isn't the tallest, strongest, or fastest. He is quick, runs great routes, catches the ball well, can make things happen after the catch, and can provide support in the return game.
"VJ" as his teammates and coaches call him, was originally scheduled to play in the East-West Shrine Game but the call to the higher profile game late in the process. Brown is currently being considered a Third Round prospect by most, so if he has a good week he could actually eliminate any possibility of his becoming a Saint.
But if he has an average week, VJ could be wearing black and gold next season.
RB DeMarco Murray Oklahoma
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If you are standing up, please sit down before you read the following: DeMarco Murray will replace Reggie Bush in the Saints backfield in 2011.
For many Saints fans, saying this is blasphemous (and I am actually one of them). However, if we're being realistic, in the new era of the NFL that is certain to follow this off-season—with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement—3rd Down/Flex Running Backs simply cannot be held onto when they are making over $11 million.
Much as Brown is Lance Moore 2.0, Murray is Bush 2.0. Murray does all the things Bush does well, and will likely cost one-tenth that of Bush. Murray is also injury-prone, but at one-tenth cost it is a risk the Saints can put up with.
This is all speculation as I have no clue what decision the Saints will make on Bush this off-season. I am simply trying to prepare fans for what I think would be the smart decision.
S DeAndre McDaniel Clemson
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Saints fans will forever be indebted to Darren Sharper. In harmony with Gregg Williams, he changed the culture and expectations for the Saints defense by making big play after big play, and singlehandedly winning a couple of games in 2009.
Well unfortunately, age and injuries seemed to catch up to Mr. Sharper in 2010, and reduced him to a bench/sub-package guy. I'm not opposed to keeping him around and allowing him to fight for a job in 2011, but that is as much of a guarantee as I would give him regarding his role.
In his place, really as a bench/sub-package guy I would insert Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel. Speculation has it that McDaniel is similar to Saints Pro Bowl Safety Roman Harper. That of course would be referring to Harper's style as an in-the-box safety.
The few times I've seen McDaniel I've been more impressed with his ability to cover and make plays on the ball. But I have yet to put on the film to see for myself.
Anyhow, McDaniel has a chance to answer some of those questions this week in Mobile. And I'm almost certain Sean Payton and his staff will be watching closely.
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OLB Mark Herzlich Boston College
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Most likely you know Mark Herzlich's story. He was a projected Top-Ten pick for this year's draft class, that is before he found out he had cancer.
After he sat out last season to recuperate, Herzlich got back on the field in 2010 and was an effective football player for Boston College. He wasn't quite the same player though that he was prior to the disease.
It should be noted that there is precedence for overcoming these types of ailments and coming back better than ever. Herzlich should be back to his former self in his second year of football, which would make him likely a second round pick. He can go a long way toward showing off what he'll look like in the future.
Strictly as a football player, Herzlich is an outside linebacker, but one who shows an ability to rush the passer, leading many scouting experts to assume he's a 3-4 OLB. However, in Gregg Williams' scheme, he would do well to line up at the "Will" position and blitz the QB all day.
Herzlich already sacked cancer, hopefully for his sake, he can sack some NFL QBs next season.
LB Casey Matthews Oregon
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One might assume, Matthews' inclusion here means I'm expecting him to turn into Clay. Truth be told I do not. But I also don't expect him to be a bust.
Without putting on the film and/or seeing him in person it's hard to say if Matthews fits better in 4-3 or 3-4 defense. But it's safe to say, a guy who has a motor like Casey does will fit onto your team with an ability to play special teams and produce somehow some way.
It's unfair, and just seems wrong, to assume that bloodlines are enough to make Casey a star, but there were some who thought brother Clay would only be a solid special teams player.
I'll take the bloodlines, the hair, the intensity, the nasty streak. Matthews will make a team better. I wouldn't mind if that team is the New Orleans Saints.
DL Cedric Thornton Southern Arkansas & OL Brandon Fusco Slippery Rock
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These are two guys you've probably never heard of. And frankly the extent of my knowledge about the two begins and ends with the information available after the measurement period of Senior Bowl Day One.
Fusco measured up at 6 feet 4.1 inches and 302 pounds with a hand size of 9 and 7/8 of an inch and arm length of 33 and 3/4 inches.
Thornton came in at 6 feet 3.5 inches and 299 pounds with a hand size of 10 inches and arm length of 34 and 1/2 inches.
None of these measures ultimately mean anything when the players strap on the cleats, shoulder pads, and helmets. But Thornton's will make the scouts and coaches gush, while Fusco's will make them question even more if he's ready to make the jump from lower level college ball to the big leagues.
The best part about the Senior Bowl is that it's the one time in the draft process, other than film study, where a player gets to show the kind of football player he is. Fusco, and Thornton, will have a chance to prove their measureables right, or wrong.
If the numbers are any indication, Fusco isn't going to impress anyone by those alone. He must show he can play good football.
The reason these guys are on my radar is two-fold.
The Saints do an outstanding at identifying, drafting, and developing small-school players. And in my opinion you can never have too much depth at any position, especially on your offensive line and defensive line. And those are the positions, more than any other, where you always want to improve your football team.
Needless to say this is a big week for these two young men.
DL Ryan Kerrigan Purdue
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The final player I want to highlight here is Ryan Kerrigan. Not only is he from Purdue (a school the Saints have had a little bit of success with), but Kerrigan would fit nicely into Gregg Williams' defense. He is widely considered a first round pick. Where in the first round will be answered, in part, this week in Mobile.
Kerrigan can play defensive end in a 4-3 or 3-4 and can move inside on nickel downs for a pass rush. He also seems to do a nice job holding up against the run.
The Saints like to play three down linemen from time to time, making Kerrigan a better fit than current DE Alex Brown.
It would be nice to see Kerrigan stand out as an explosive pass rusher this week. We all know that's what the Saints need.
Conclusion
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Of course, this list is not comprehensive. There is no way that it could be. By no means, are the Saints only going to Mobile to watch the players I have mentioned. They are going to watch them all. Perhaps someone not on this list will peak their interest.
What I do know is this. These are some of the main areas I would look into. Of course I mentioned almost every position group. The point is the Saints need depth, and need to keep getting younger, just like every other team in the league.
Most of all, the Senior Bowl is a great week for the players, scouts, and coaches. And it's great for those of us fanatical enough to care to watch on television.
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