For Saints Fans, There's Nothing Left But The Waiting

I remember on Sundays during this time of the year at my grandparent’s house, when my grandmother would do homemade ice cream in the afternoons — and it was the best.

As I watched her mix the ingredients and turn the machine on to begin the process of making the delicious treat, my grandfather sitting at the kitchen table would kick back with a grin on his face and a wink while saying, “Aint nothin’ left but the waitin’ now!”

It was a torture beyond watching paint dry or waiting for water to boil!

The same feeling is going through the New Orleans Saints fanbase, as they await to see over the course of the next three days, just who the next six new members of their team will be.

Or will it be five?

Four?

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is sacked by Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There are plenty of holes that could be addressed in the draft starting with the coveted pass rusher position that is at a premium in this draft, unlike the plentiful defensive tackle position.

The Saints do need a bookend opposite defensive end Cameron Jordan; and defensive tackles like John Jenkins and Nick Fairley are on borrowed time with the Saints for this upcoming season.

The offensive guard position wasn’t addressed truly in free agency except by tendering Tim Lelito, and hopefully it won’t be like the tight end spot last year; where the Saints didn’t make a big grab in free agency or the draft, and rolled with what they had.

The Saints quality of depth at safety has also become a concern after the release of Vinnie Sunseri, considering there is a steep drop-off of talent after Jarius Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro — with Vaccaro leading the pack more so than Byrd at this point.

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) leaves the field after being ejected for targeting in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There is the old and overwhelming fear that the Saints will trade up to grab a player and thereby sacrificing a high round pick in not only this draft, but the next one as well.

Depending on what player you ask the fans about, there is a wide birth of “I’d do that in a second” to “hell no” comments regarding who they’d be okay in possibly moving up for.

Joey Bosa or DeForest Buckner are getting roars of approval; while there is a grinding of teeth if the Saints were to do so for a quarterback like Paxton Lynch.

Heck even if he “falls” to the Saints if they are to stand pat at #12, there is still a Sean Payton-like grimace on the face of some.

And let’s don’t even start the ‘Treadwell At Twelve’ debate either.

Jan 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis looks on during a media availability about the NFL draft at the team’s training facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

What has the overall contention of Black and Gold Believers flitting around like a cat on a hot tin roof is a statement general manager Mickey Loomis said about trading up in a press conference yesterday:

"“I do think though that if you look at the history of trades there’s more success trading up than trading back.”"

For the Saints, that’s a very skewed scale; considering that they recently have found a bit of success somewhat in trading up for wide receiver Brandin Cooks in 2014 (the only member of his draft class left) versus the trade up for a player like defensive tackle Al Woods in 2010 — who never even made it to the regular season.

There’s also the ghosts of Jonathan Sullivan and Sedrick Ellis; which brings up the question if it’s actually worth it — although there are a few that would argue that Ellis did at least contribute some (but was it really worth the trade up?)

Loomis also said that they have tried to trade back in the past, but the opportunity just wasn’t there as far as potential suitors; and that he’s not opposed to doing it (insert praying hands emoji here).

One last shake up on the eve of the draft is a fan favorite or as I’ve heard some refer to as their “draft boo” — in linebacker Myles Jack, who is already known to have a knee issue that he reportedly has almost completely healed from.

Information is coming in though that the condition of his knee is degenerative; meaning the likelihood his career could be shortened and even he admitted there is a possibility of micro fracture surgery in his future, but how soon or how far into the future is yet to be seen.

Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This has got the rumor mill spinning the idea it could cause the once herald top ten pick to actually slide out of that range, possibly to the Saints.

Yahoo’s senior NFL writer Charles Robinson said to “keep an eye” on the Saints as a potential landing spot for Jack if he does fall despite the issues surrounding his knee.

For Saints Fans, There’s Nothing Left But The Waiting

By Gene Higginbotham | Apr 28, 2016

I remember on Sundays during this time of the year at my grandparent’s house, when my grandmother would do homemade ice cream in the afternoons — and it was the best.