Every Tuesday we want you to "go off" on whatever Saints-related topic is bothering you. Tell us how you feel and don't spare any expense. To submit your rant, send an e-mail to whodatsayteam@gmail.com. We will sift through the garbage and post the best stuff every Tuesday. If we get 5 good ones, we'll post them all. Happy complaining. By Reader Benny B - Baton Rouge, LA
I'm upset about the Saints' draft but I am going to focus on the main thing that pisses me off. I don't understand how we could draft a kicker (Taylor Mehlhaff) not named Brandon Coutu. Coutu is, according to ESPN and most other media outlets, THE BEST kicker in the draft, hands down, no questions asked. But forget even that for a second --- how did we draft any kicker and not draft a player like Ali Highsmith?? Now for the name game:
1) He enrolled in 2004, and in his first three seasons (2004-'06) appeared in 38 games (24 starts), recording 159 tackles (17 for losses), eight sacks and an interception. As a senior in 2007, he started all 14 games at weak-side linebacker and had 101 tackles (nine for losses), three sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery and 22-yard return for a touchdown. A first team All-America selection last season. Who is he????
2) He appeared in 37 games in his first three seasons (2004-'06), recording 162 tackles (13.5 for losses), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. As a senior in 2007, he played 12 games (11 starts) at weak-side linebacker, turning in 78 tackles (five for losses), three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and four pass breakups. A first team All-America selection last season. Now who is he?????
1) Ali Highsmith--undrafted, signed by the freaking black hole we sports fans know as the Arizona Cardinals.
2) Keith Rivers--#9 pick Bengals.
How does Ali not even get a shot to come start for our defense? He has more tackles over a four year period than Rivers, more sacks and tackles for loss, and was the leader of a dominant defense. I may just be a homer but come on, give the man a shot to make the team, Saints! So what if his forty time isn't as fast as Reggie's; it didn't stop him from making plays for the Tigers, and it wouldn't have stopped him from making plays for the Black and Gold next year!
1) He enrolled in 2004, and in his first three seasons (2004-'06) appeared in 38 games (24 starts), recording 159 tackles (17 for losses), eight sacks and an interception. As a senior in 2007, he started all 14 games at weak-side linebacker and had 101 tackles (nine for losses), three sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery and 22-yard return for a touchdown. A first team All-America selection last season. Who is he????
2) He appeared in 37 games in his first three seasons (2004-'06), recording 162 tackles (13.5 for losses), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. As a senior in 2007, he played 12 games (11 starts) at weak-side linebacker, turning in 78 tackles (five for losses), three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and four pass breakups. A first team All-America selection last season. Now who is he?????
1) Ali Highsmith--undrafted, signed by the freaking black hole we sports fans know as the Arizona Cardinals.
2) Keith Rivers--#9 pick Bengals.
How does Ali not even get a shot to come start for our defense? He has more tackles over a four year period than Rivers, more sacks and tackles for loss, and was the leader of a dominant defense. I may just be a homer but come on, give the man a shot to make the team, Saints! So what if his forty time isn't as fast as Reggie's; it didn't stop him from making plays for the Tigers, and it wouldn't have stopped him from making plays for the Black and Gold next year!
7 comments:
I totally agree. You play in the SEC (the toughest conference in college) vs. the PAC 10 (High School football - Catholic High of Baton Rouge) and you don't get a crack at the NFL...that's boulderdash. I'm pissed. The guy has won a national championship as a senior...and what has Keith Rivers won...not a national championship as a senior. He relied on Mat Leinart and Reggie Bush. Give me a break. Good luck to Ali Highsmith...I wish him the best.
Hopefully Ali will get cut, and the Saints can pick him up. I'm a little upset that we didn't address the need at running back. Matt Forte was sitting there and the Saints go for a corner from Indiana, really? Corner has been addressed this free agency period, but there is not a bruiser to complement Bush if Deuce is unable to perform this season, or ever. However, I believe that if "The Deuce" gets his old number 22 back(from a certain Freddy T), then he'll take us to the promise land. Who Dat, Boys!
Look about kickers, I think the saints are planning on having two on the roster. Grammatica for most fieldgoals, and Mehlhaff on kickoffs and long FGs (Mehlhaff has the strongest leg of the draft) also they think they can work on his mechanics to make him the only kicker (eventually)
He's the guy they wanted, and didn't want to wait until FA, so b/c we didn't have a 7th round pick we took him in the 6th.
i've got no idea why we didn't go after ali, but then again, i'm not a professional coach or scout. maybe they didn't like football IQ and thought he was helped out by the superior D-line in front of him, but there has to be something, because it wasn't only the saints who kept passing on him. I mean the scouts and coaches of all 32 teams saw something to make him that low on their draft board. (and please don't reply about the exception UFAs who make it big, that's such a rarity)
look the saints had a good draft. and you also have to essentially count vilma as a 4th round pick.
It should tell you that through 7 Rounds 32 teams all passed on Ali Highsmith.
As for drafting the kicker, Taylor Melhall, I totally support it. In my and many others opinoins HE was the best kicker in the draft and by far has the best leg. He is what they were looking for in trading for Olindo Mare last year. I think he will win the just outright from Martin Gramatica.
Wonderful draft all around SaintsQ
Hands down, great draft. People like to complain about the draft and then jump on the wagons after. Who heard of Colston when we drafted him? Dudes a pimp! Tracy Porter is raw but will eventually be a good CB. He has great instincts and speed which is a must in man to man defense. I like the kicker pick as well b/c he can boom it in the endzone almost everytime which will help out tremendously in field position. You have to ask why all 32 teams passed on Ali all 7 rounds?
Highsmith is 6', 221 lbs. Ran a 4.7 40. Linebacker? This is the NFL, not the SEC. And FYI, Big 12 is the toughest.
Big 12...please, stop kidding yourself.
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