2014 Season Preview: 5 Questions with Who Dat Dish
By Mike Praser
Dec 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans cheer in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
To preview the upcoming season we have reached out to our fellow Fansided sites to get the inside info on the 2014 Chicago Bears opponents. Today we tackle the 14th opponent on the Bears schedule, the New Orleans Saints. Check out how John Hendrix from WhoDat Dish answered our infamous “5 Questions”.
What did you like and/or dislike about what the New Orleans Saints did in free agency and the draft?
Jul 28, 2014; White Sulpher Springs, WV, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) carries the ball during training camp at The Greenbrier. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s start with the draft. I graded the overall Saints draft with a B. I loved the first round selection of Brandin Cooks, and it was a sign that the Saints weren’t going to change their attack scheme on offense, something that was rumored to change after success against the Eagles and Seahawks in the playoffs. The only head scratcher I had was the selection of Alabama’s Vinnie Sunseri. However, we’re being shown why Sunseri is on the team, as he has taken a lot of the team’s 2nd string snaps.
As for free agency, that is a no brainer. The addition of former Buffalo Bills safety, Jairus Byrd, easily was the best add in free agency for the Saints, and possibly the best offseason move in the NFL. The team only added a few other players in free agency. I think we’re familiar with that guy Champ Bailey. However, the team also added fullback Erik Lorig of the Buccaneers, and added another former Canadian Football League player, Marcus Ball, to the team. Ball could easily be the younger and re-mastered version of Roman Harper. The losses of a host of long standing Saints players did hurt in terms of emotions, but most of us look at it for the ‘greater good’.