Saints defense will better with addition of CB Robinson

Many New Orleans Saints fans were disappointed when Drew Brees announced the team’s first choice in the 2010 NFL draft to be former Florida State corner back Patrick Robinson, as the previously expected the team to choose a outside linebacker that was actually urgently needed to improve the Saints defense. However, if we have a deeper consideration, we can see Saints had made the best choice they could make with the last picks of all rounds.


Firstly, we can have a view on how the Saints solved the problems with outside linebacker. When it was the Saints’ turn to make a choice in the first round, there was actually no good choice with outside linebackers. Besides, the Saints still have defensive players like Jonathan Casillas, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Marvin Mitchell, Anthony Waters, Stanley Arnoux and veteran Troy Evans to play at outside linebacker in replacement of former starter Scott Fujita, who was signed away by the Cleveland Browns during free agency. Soon after the draft ended, the Saints took further action by inviting Jacksonville Jaguars free agent outside linebacker Clint Ingram to a tryout. Ingram has an experience of being starter for four years with the Jaguars and has had 159 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble during his career. If there is no other better choice, Ingram could just be the perfect replacement to Fujita.

Now that the outside linebacker is no longer an urgent need, we may have better understanding that the addition of a cornerback like Robinson is really a wise move. It’s not only because Robinson was the best player waiting for a call at the end of the first-round pick, but also because his arrival offers the team more freedom in moving cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to safety in case free agent Darren Sharper makes his decision to take off New Orleans Saints jersey for a new team. What’s more important, a fast and athletic cornerback like Robinson could offer great cover for receivers and allow defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to carry out his scheme in a perfect way.

Saints still made some good choices with late picks

Winning the team’s first Super Bowl championship last season, the New Orleans Saints were given late picks in all rounds of this year’s NFL draft and really have few choices when it was their turn to pick. However, they still managed to make some good choices that are expected to improve some positions with the team.


First let’s have a look at Saints newly drafted players from all rounds. The team used the 32nd pick of the first round to draft Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson, interestingly the same choice with the one they made in the first round of last season’s draft and with the first pick of the Vikings, who also made their first choice with a cornerback. Then the Saints selected a tackle from USC, Charles Brown and tight end Jimmy Graham from Miami-Florida. The last few choices in the final rounds included defensive tackle AI Woods from LSU, center Matt Tennant from Boston College and the last one was quarterback Sean Canfield from Oregon State.

Then we can have an analysis on what help these newly drafted players could offer to this season’s defending champion team. First of all, the addition of another cornerback is highly expected to bolster the team’s defense, which was a relatively weak point with the Super Bowl XLIV winner.

The selection of tackle Brown was not taken as necessary but it simply is not a choice. Tight end Graham could be a perfect backup for another former Hurricanes tight end, Jeremy Shockey, who is now wearing No. 88 Saints jersey. Woods has proven his talent in football and is expected to develop into a great defensive tackle if he sticks with the position and learns well.

There is no doubt that the Saints had a lucky pick with center Tennant, who was previously rated as one of the best two centers with Maurkice Pouncey from Florida. With Tennant’s arrival, the Saints could finally find the right answer to problems with this position.

Then it turns to the last pick quarterback Canfield, who is definitely not the worst quarterback in the draft. While it is for sure that Drew Brees will keep his starting job with the Saints, there is good chance for Canfield to be given the backup job in his first or second season.