That's not what the Hornet fans are thinking...Eric Gordon is young and his game is faking like he's rehabbing and cashing big paychecks...but as for the Saints, Smith and Ellis have to go immediately at the end of the season.
Can we add a little meat to the bones of these general statements? In what way did old players cost the Saints the game yesterday? Offensively, we have a very young line that completely failed to protect Drew Brees or open holes in the run game. Defensively, without question, the pass rush was pathetic, and I agree that Ellis and maybe Smith as well, have to go. But don't forget that the defense allowed only 17 points and its lowest yardage output of the year. SF didn't generate a running game until the fourth quarter. We need to updrade at about 8 spots on the starting defense, but two pick 6's were the difference in the final score.
BTW, Diamondhead, the Saints website doesn't give player ages, but assuming entry into the league at age 21, that would be 9 seasons to reach age 30. If that's correct, there are only about a half dozen players on the team 30 or older, with the oldest being Brees. Surely you're not saying he's too old, but either way, its not an old roster.
Here's the starting offense: WR- Colston LT - Bushrod LG - Grubbs C - De la Puente RG - Evans RT - Strief TE - Graham WR - Henderson 3rd WR - Moore QB - Brees FB - Collins TB - Thomas or Ingram or Ivory Who are you running off?
Well, by that definition, Brees does need to go. But I think not. Let's go with; who can no longer get the job done? Offensively, we can do better than Henderson at WR and Strief at RT. Defensively is another story. Jordan and Hicks on the line, Lofton and Vilma at LB, Greer and Jenkins in the secondary are definite keepers. Galette, Casillas, Wilson, White, Patrick and Quddus are serviceable. Smith, Ellis, Hawthorne, Casillas, Robertson and Harper should all be looking over their shoulders.
I would like to see Ingram traded as we need draft picks due to the commissioner screwing us over. I won't call him a bust but the offense stalls when he can't get 36" on a 3rd & 1. Harper received too much credit due to the previous DC's desire to blitz every other play. He can't cover and misses too many tackles downfield. Add the salary figures of the defense (starters) and compare it to their performance. It's not good!
Everyone has noticed that since Vitt came off suspension, Ivory has been getting carries. What nobody is saying is that he's not taking carries away from Ingram, he's taking them from Pierre Thomas. If the Payton-to-Dallas talk becomes reality and Vitt becomes head coach permanently (not a too-farfetched scenario, IMO), don't be surprised if its PT on the trading block in the off-season. He'd be a very good fit in Denver, I think. You're dead on-target with Harper. I would play him in two situations only; short yardage coming off the edge against the run, or 3rd and long when he can line up off the defensive end's hip and either blitz or spy on a run-minded quarterback like Cam.
