@Bengal B @tirk @fanatic The key to the question is James Allen. If you can remember the one significant play he made as a Saint, you'll figure out the rest. OK, here's an oddball question you can probably deduce. The Saints have used every number from 1 to 99 as jersey numbers. What number has been used the least?
OK, the first one. Manning, Cleeland, Williams and Allen are the only 4 Saints to score a touchdown to win a game on the final play of the game. Manning in his debut game vs the Rams in '71, Cleeland on a reception in OT vs the Colts in '99, Williams on a run play at Carolina in '01, and Allen on an interception in the end zone in OT vs the Bucs in '02.
What are your thoughts about the players the Saints drafted? From what I've read about their draft grade, most of the experts are giving them a C. Not necessarily because the players they picked suck, but because hardly any of them will be able to step in and contribute right away. That's not to say that some, like Peat, can't or won't, but most believed the thought process going into the draft was to pick players of need that can contribute right away, so that the team can make one more Super Bowl run in the twilight of Brees' career. What good are these picks if it's going to take 2-3 years for them to develop?
Most grades I see are B- to B+, I've only seen one C grade. Like has been discussed in other threads no big splash, but solid meat and potatoes draft which is exactly what the Saints needed. Draft grades at this time are much like preseason polls. I'd give a B grade based on needs filled and the fact that the players drafted are high character guys that produced on the field. No long term projects or workout wonders.
