This means Joseph has to step up to assist for Faine and justify his first round draft status or else the whispers of bust will only grow louder.
What whispers are those? I haven't heard any, at least not from anyone with any credibility.
Those with credibility were not exactly calling Clayton a bust after his second season. Nothing wrong with taking a wait and see approach, but it can not be denied that this label on Joseph is floating around.
When drafting at the bottom of the first round everyone has different expectations when it comes to the players for the next level. Some argue if you find just an average starter in the late first round that is a success. While others argue that starter has to be at least above average/good to be considered a hit. If not then they are considered a bust based on differing expectations.
When a player drafted down a few slots (and a year later) is outplaying that player (like Sears is doing) it is reasonable to understand why those whispers even exist for Joseph.
By not having Jason David the starter anymore (zone corner) they can truly run Gibb's schemes the way he envisions them. Gibbs wants to play man to man so he can send blitzes at a frenzied pace.
That right there is an upgrade in itself.
Gay's issues is that he can' stay healthy. But when he is healthy he is a very capable man to man corner and if he was still with the Patriots he would be starting opposite of Hobbs (it could be argued the Patriots are in worse shape than the Saints secondary wise).
Between Glenn and Craft they have capable nickel corners.
The Saints secondary has taken a lot of unfair flack when reality is the Saints D-line that vastly underperformed in 2007. I do not see the Saints D-line under performing for a second year in a row. The Saints have prepared for this anyways by loading up on D-line talent by adding McCray and Ellis.
If their offense can produce leads their D-line along with Gibbs' blitzes will tee off on QB's.
And adding Vilma to defend the intermediate passing lanes is also being under estimated.
Let's not forget Tracy Porter. I think aside from Ellis and Vilma, that was their biggest defensive move. McCray and Gay are ok, but Porter has the skills to be a nice all-around, cover CB. He'll take a little time to adjust, but I think he'll have more of an impact than those other guys as soon as mid-season.
I didn't include Porter in the first place. because it is hard to gauge the impact of rookie DB's as some take till mid season or even year 3 to break out. But with a defensive lineman like Ellis if he is as good as advertised his presence will be immediate starting day uno.
I'm seeing Ellis at DRT, which should put him up against Sears. In which case, I'm not all that worried. Should be a really, really good match-up for the next 6 years or so at least, but if there's one guy on this line I trust in run and pass blocking, it's this guy:
Against Sears I wouldn't be so concerned about Ellis, and share your glowing praise for this young man.
But remember that Hollis Thomas is also with the team and they could put him on the field with Ellis to force some mismatches in their favor.
This means Joseph has to step up to assist for Faine and justify his first round draft status or else the whispers of bust will only grow louder.
What whispers are those? I haven't heard any, at least not from anyone with any credibility.
I've never heard anyone, including some of the trolls on this site, call Davin a bust.
Trolls are not interested in discussing football.
*All_da_way begins to chew on his gummy bears*
Think downplaying the Saints is a mistake. They are an above average team and will give every team, including the Bucs, a ruin for their money.
Agree with Doc.
The Saints may not be an elite team like the Patriots, but they are not a team that will roll over so easily.
