Possibilities at Linebacker
After spending most the off season improving the offensive side of the ball, it now appears that the New Orleans Saints will be looking to shore up the defense before heading off to training camp. The most pressing need at this time is a nickel linebacker who has coverage ability. To that end the Saints will be visiting today with former Minnesota Viking LB Dixon Edwards.
While the Saints have shown interest in Edwards, he is only one of many linebackers currently available who could help the Saints’ pass defense. Following is a brief analysis of free agent linebackers who still remain available:
Dixon Edwards
Edwards will be in New Orleans today for a workout and physical after being released last week by the Vikings with two years left on his contract. He has already had a visit with the Atlanta Falcons. The 31-year old Edwards is 6-1 and weighs 228 pounds. He was selected in the second round (37th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Edwards went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys before signing a free agent contract with the Vikings in 1996. His production has steadily dropped for the last three seasons, going from a career-high 96 tackles in 1996 to only 46 in 1998.
Greg Lloyd
Another player who the Saints have shown interest in is 34-year old Greg Lloyd. Lloyd played 10 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with Carolina Panthers as a free agent prior to the start of last season. He started 14 games for the Panthers after starter Lamar Lathon was lost for the season with an injury. In those 14 games Lloyd made 64 tackles, one sack, intercepted one pass and broke up two others. The 6-2, 238 pound Lloyd has been plagued by injuries for the last few seasons and it is generally believed that he is still not 100% healthy. His most severe injury came in the form of a staph infection of his left leg that caused him to lose over twenty pounds during the ’97 season. Lloyd was selected in the 6th round (150th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Anthony Davis
At the beginning of the free agency period this off season it seemed that the Kansas City Chiefs were certain to bring back Anthony Davis to man one of their starting outside linebacker positions, but that all changed when Davis began making unrealistic contract demands. The Chiefs have since gone out and signed former Redskin Marvcus Patton to replace the 30-year old Davis and now Davis has been left to look elsewhere for employment. Davis (6-1, 335) was selected in the 11th round (301st overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He has played the last five seasons with the Chiefs. Last year he started all 16 games, recording 77 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed.
Wayne Simmons
1998 was not one of Wayne Simmons’ best years. He was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after his much publicized run in with Shannon Sharpe and the Denver Broncos, and was then claimed on waivers by the Buffalo Bills who also wound up releasing him. Simmons (6-2, 248) was a former 1st round draft choice (15th overall) of the Green Bay Packers in 1993. He played with the Packers for five years before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the start of the ’97 season. The 29-year old Simmons started 10 games in ’98, recording 34 tackles, 0.5 sacks, no interceptions, and 2 passes defensed.
Jeff Brady
Last season Jeff Brady played good football on a very bad team. Brady (6-1, 243), started all 16 games at one of the middle linebacker spots in the Carolina Panthers 3-4 defense last season and responded by having a career year. In ’98 the 30-year old Brady recorded 104 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 9 passes defensed. All Saints linebackers as a group only broke up 6 passes in ’98. Before last season Brady had played with Pittsburgh, Green Bay, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota. He was originally a 12th round selection (323rd overall) in the 1991 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kurt Gouveia
The San Diego Chargers replaced Gouveia this off season with former Ram Eric Hill and Gouveia is now looking for a job. The 34-year old Gouveia started 12 games for one of the league’s best defenses last year. Gouveia (6-1, 240) recorded 44 tackles, 0.5 sacks, no interceptions, and 2 passes defensed. He has played for the Redskins, Eagles, and Chargers in his career. He was originally an 8th round draft choice (213th overall) of the Washington Redskins in the 1986 NFL Draft.
Seth Joyner
After going most of his career without getting to a Super Bowl, Seth Joyner has now earned Super Bowl rings two consecutive years in a row. He got one in ’97 with the Packers and another in ’98 with the Broncos. The 34-year old Joyner was used as a reserve last year for the Broncos and only recorded 5 tackles on the season. However, Joyner has been excellent in his career in pass defense. He has 24 career interceptions and another 63 career pass breakups. Joyner (6-2, 235) was selected in the 8th round (208th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He has played for the Eagles, Cardinals, Packers, and Broncos in his career.
Out of these players, the Saints have only shown serious interest in Dixon Edwards, although Greg Lloyd also could be brought in for a visit. However, if the Saints are unable to lock up either Edwards or Lloyd, don’t be shocked to see one of these other names end up on the Saints’ roster.
