SB Nation Bay Area: All Posts by Dylan DeSimone

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

New Orleans Saints team needs: Cap crunch could limit offseason options

2013-03-08T20:30:06Z

The New Orleans Saints' 2012 season was more like an NBC primetime drama than an actual campaign for the Lombardi Trophy.

The ultra-talented gang from the Bayou suffered some drastic consequences this past offseason, stemming from the now notorious "Bountygate Scandal." The Saints lost their defensive coordinator and head coach for the duration of the season, handicapping them for 16 games.

More: Visit Canal Street Chronicles for more on the Saints

Considering the circumstances, the Saints put up a good fight, tying the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the division at 7-9.

Drew Brees threw for over 5,000 yards for the third time in his career, but it just wasn't enough. The porous play by the Saints defense was insurmountable. They couldn't stop the run or the pass, and struggled to consistently get pressure on the opposing quarterback.

The Saints should be in the midst of a total makeover on defense. Canal Street Chronicles had this to say on the topic:

Heading over to the defensive side, there are not enough words in the world to describe how bad the Saints were. Firing Steve Spagnuolo and replacing him with Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense is a move in the right direction, if you ask me. (I'll elaborate on that in another article later).

The argument that, "The Saints can't get any worse on defense" is valid if you are looking at rankings, but if New Orleans can't get playmakers on defense then the numbers that compile those rankings will get worse and harder to overcome for the Saints offense.

And that leads us to the state of the Saints' offseason:

Biggest Need: Defensive line

This offseason, the Saints hired Rob Ryan to be their defensive coordinator. The expectation is that New Orleans will transition to a 3-4 defense this coming season, and as a result there should be some personnel change-up in the front seven.

The Saints will need a big-bodied defensive lineman to anchor the front and help control the line of scrimmage. They have to insert someone that can absorb multiple blocks and allow the linebackers to run free. With their previously installed 4-3 scheme, size was less of an issue.

As they look to rebuild their defense, a top-tier defensive lineman will be key.

Other Needs: CB, LB, WR

Outside of their biggest need, the Saints need to stay the course and continue to revamp this defense. Their biggest task should be to add as much talent to that side of the ball as financially and schematically possible. Remember, they are contending with Atlanta, which has a seemingly unlimited supply of firepower.

The Saints need to add to their pass rush and make sure they have corners that can stick with the play. They have to be able to keep teams from scoring. With Drew Brees and this dynamic set of playmakers, they can already score enough to beat most teams -- there just needs to be an emphasis on limiting the points against them.

Jonathan Vilma has a couple years left, so the team's biggest concern here should be to add a big, physical cornerback and a pass-rush specialist.

NFL Draft Outlook: Saints in the middle of the first round

The Saints finished near the middle of the NFL in 2012, but due to their high strength of schedule they were last in a five-way tie for the No. 11 pick and will instead select with the No. 15 pick in the first round. With a variety of needs on defense to address, SB Nation's Dan Kadar and Matthew Fairburn sent them a versatile player in their latest joint mock draft: Southern Mississippi's OLB/DE Jamie Collins.

Collins turned heads at the combine and was always wildly productive for Southern Mississippi. He may not be a pure pass rusher, but in this mock draft, he's the best outside linebacker available. Collins only got better each year with the Golden Eagles and will continue to do so in the NFL. He's a player that can get up the field but also cover tight ends by himself.

Salary Cap Situation: Working to get under the cap

After making some moves, the Saints are roughly $1 million over the cap. They'll need to make some difficult decisions prior to the deadline in order to reach their cap figure.

Among the players who will have the biggest cap hit for the Saints in 2013 are defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, each of whom have been discussed as possible cuts to free up space by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

More in the NFL:

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

Carolina Panthers team needs: Draft well or bust

2013-03-08T19:30:07Z

The 2012-13 NFL season did not go as smoothly as the Carolina Panthers would have hoped for.

After a sensational rookie campaign by first overall pick Cam Newton, the Panthers seemed to be in store for a monstrous second year from their QB. Unfortunately, Newton and the Panthers had a rough start, losing six of their first seven games.

The team appeared to be experiencing growing pains, as well as an identity crisis. This is not unusual given has just started a rebuilding period under Ron Rivera.

More: Visit Cat Scratch Reader for more on the Panthers

In the past two seasons, the Panthers have added essential components to their team in quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly. If things go as planned, Newton and Kuechly will be the leaders of this team -- on offense and defense -- for the next decade.

Ryan Kalil, Jon Beason and Steve Smith are also major role players for this up-and-coming franchise. From the outside looking in, the Panthers have the pieces to make some noise in this league, but they've struggled to get rolling.

At the end of this past season, Carolina began to see the light.

They finished the season strong, winning five of their last six games to close 2012. They scored 30-plus points in four of their final match-ups, and stole notable wins against Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Diego and New Orleans.

The team had not seen such efficiency and consistency on a game-to-game basis all season. They ended the season on a hot streak and are hoping to carry that momentum forward into the offseason and into 2013.

Biggest Need: Defensive Tackle

Make no mistake, the Panthers have need all over their offense and defense -- but it's their defensive front that has been lacking for the better part of a decade. The team view Luke Kuechly as being as essential to their defense as Cam Newton is to their offense, and to this end finding a strong defensive tackle at the point of attack is vital in helping their middle linebacker entering his second season.

Other Needs: CB, WR, OL

The Panthers scored less than 20 points only five times all season. They have been more efficient on the offensive side of the ball but desperately need to upgrade on defense. They spent last year's first-rounder on a defensive player, and they may have to do that again.

The secondary must be made a priority if (when?) the team cuts Chris Gamble to save cap space. Captain Munnerlyn is also a free agent, potentially leaving the Panthers very vulnerable against the pass for 2013. As it stands they're slated to rely on mid-round rookies from 2012, and undrafted free agents.

Steve Smith isn't getting any younger, and while Brandon LaFell showed promise in 2012, there's still a long way to go. Publicly the Panthers mentioned they'd be interested in a big-name receiver like Mike Wallace, but the idea of them having that money in free agency is a pipe dream. Instead they'll need to get more creative.

Protecting Cam Newton needs to be made a bigger priority, and to this end securing a new offensive tackle and guard is a must. Leaning on a patchwork line in 2012 caused major problems, and Newton was under duress for much of the year.

NFL Draft Outlook:

The Panthers finished at an unimpressive 7-9, which unfortunately is not bad enough to get them a top-10 pick, but not good enough to get them in the postseason. Carolina possesses the 14th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft -- one spot ahead of New Orleans and one spot behind Tampa Bay.

Carolina is in a position to trade up or down in the first round, and they also have some flexibility in terms of options. They have more than a couple positions of need and could go wide receiver, cornerback or even defensive tackle in Round 1.

James Dator of Cat Scratch Reader believes the Panthers are in a favorable spot:

The Carolina Panthers would love to trade down. They have needs all over their roster, holes to fill, and desperately need an influx of talent. It's impossible to predict three months out what could happen on draft day, but there's one scenario that could prompt a trade-down for the Panthers.

Salary Cap Situation:

The Carolina Panthers are struggling to get under the salary cap after their spending spree in 2011. Electing to retain their own talent first has resulted in a serious drain on the team's cash reserves. They're currently almost $500,000 over the cap, and will need to make more moves.

Some of the names that have been considered to be restructured or released include DeAngelo Williams, Chris Gamble and Jon Beason.

At this point, if the Panthers are to make strides, it has to be through the draft. The only way Carolina can truly move forward is by bringing in talent through the draft. This means getting production out of their late-round picks as well. The Panthers' fiscal state will force this team to go younger and replace established players that are absorbing too much cap space.

NFL insider Jason LaCanfora reported:

I don't reckon this will be a big free agency year for them... I don't know if they are going to be in the market for a stud tackle and even at corner I think they are going to have to draft replacements for guys like Gamble that they might lose.

More in the NFL:

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

Texas A&M pro day 2013: Luke Joeckel, Christine Michael, Ryan Swope working out Friday

2013-03-08T14:50:50Z

On Tuesday, the 2013 NFL Combine came to a close from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It was a productive four-day event, providing an atmosphere for teams and players to convene and get some one-on-one time with one another.

For more on the NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft

With the scouting combine wrapped up, all that is left to go before the NFL Draft are the pro days. These are optional, of course, but many prospects that were not pleased with their combine performance get a do-over. The school's pro days are held from March 1 to April 2, giving NFL teams an entire month's worth of evaluating.

On March 8, Texas A&M will hold their official pro day, which will feature, but is not exclusive to, defensive end Damontre Moore. The reason Moore is an interesting story is because he is the only Aggie with a first-round grade, and he had an uninspiring combine performance.

Moore ran a slow forty-time, posting a lousy 4.95 in Indianapolis.

For someone that was widely considered a top-25 pick, scouts are going to need to see an improvement at his pro day. Heading into the month of March, Moore's next forty time should be among the most scrutinized pre-draft gossip. There are a lot of very talented defensive prospects in this year's draft, and the truth is, NFL teams would prefer a DUI over a slow forty.

Even though Moore was a productive player on the field, certain teams care if you can run fast. Especially teams that consistently pick among the top-10 (see: Oakland Raiders).

If Moore does not improve his forty-time, he could get knocked out of the top-25 on Day 1.

The other prospects working out on March 8:

Texas A&M

March 8

Luke Joeckel, OT; Christine Michael, RB; Damontre Moore, DE; Uzoma Nwachukwu, WR; Sean Porter, LB; Jonathan Stewart, LB; Ryan Swope, WR

Luke Joeckel is the expected No. 1 overall pick by many, with the Chiefs in need of a blindside protector for newly acquired QB Alex Smith. Current left tackle Branden Albert may explore free agency, which would force Kansas City to use their first choice on a franchise offensive lineman.

His pro day will have zero impact on his draft status.

Meanwhile, Ryan Swope is an interesting prospect. He ran a blazing 4.34 forty, which impressed many scouts. With the effectiveness of smaller stature slot-type receivers like Wes Welker and Percy Harvin, teams can find a place for a guy like Swope.

He has commanded some attention already with his fort and might want to leave it as is -- unless he thinks he can run a high 4.2.

More in the NFL:

• NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine and trade edition

• Trade rumors: Where's Darrelle Revis headed?

• 10 takeaways from the NFL Combine

• The hardest thing to do in sports

• NFL Combine's biggest winners and losers

• The best (and we mean worst) quotes from the Combine

2013 NFL Draft: Jim Harbaugh and the Honey Badger

2013-03-07T16:30:06Z

With the 2013 NFL Draft approaching in April, teams are busy finalizing their boards. The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the more proficient teams in the draft, acquiring talented players and stockpiling picks.

One aspect that has separated the 49ers from the rest is how they evaluate character. They've done an exceptional job building a strong locker room, even though a lot of their players come from questionable backgrounds.

They have built a unit of strong-willed men that, at one time or another, have overcome adversity. When you put the film on, you see a team that fights till the end and I think that speaks to the resiliency of the individuals on this roster.

49ers National Scout Matt Malaspina confirmed the value of the interview process in a sit down with Scott Kegley last week. He spoke about character and understanding "what drives a player."

It's important in just getting a feel for their body language. A lot of the times this is our first exposure to them, not as athletes, but as people. Because you don't get a lot of chances in the fall and through some of the all-star games to really sit down and talk with them. So this is a good part for us to get a feel for the kid, to talk about his family, experiences - things you otherwise might not have known.

Finding the right fit character-wise is important to this ball club - it's part of their process. They want to find players that are compatible with the identity the new regime has instilled in this team.

In Jim Harbaugh's debut season with the 49ers in 2011, one of his primary goals was to establish an identity for this team. He executed this by means of motivational devices ad personal philosophies.

It didn't take long for the whole team to buy into what Harbaugh was selling. During the season, the 49ers drew inspiration from a viral video featuring a ravenous animal known as the "Honey Badger."

The team motto - "the honey badger don't care" - helped revive the spirit of this team.

It evoked a fearless attitude, as San Francisco started playing relentless, winning football. This was the persona they wanted to have on a game-by-game basis. "When it's hungry, it takes what it wants."

Meanwhile, in the SEC...

LSU Tigers defensive back Tyrann Mathieu was lighting up college football with his electric performances. It is rare that a sparkplug like him comes along on defense and rocks the nation, but he did.

His ruthless, take-no-prisoners attitude was rare to see, especially in such a small package (5'9", 186 pounds). But Mathieu's intensely aggressive approach earned him the nickname, the Honey Badger. And even though he is trying to shed the nickname, it remains indicative of his playing style.

When it comes to his on-the-field identity, it aligns perfectly with what Harbaugh is trying to achieve in San Francisco.

Now, had Harbaugh heard of the Honey Badger? We can't confirm but considering Mathieu was tearing it up in 2010 while Harbaugh was at Stanford, there is a strong chance the head coach caught wind of his warpath. And between attending the combine and being well into the draft process, Harbaugh is well aware of who he is by now.

So, this begs the question: Is Tyrann Mathieu a Jim Harbaugh guy?

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Pittsburgh Steelers team needs: Expecting significant change in 2013

2013-03-07T14:30:04Z

It was a disappointing season for the Pittsburgh Steelers who not only failed to make the playoffs, but watched their division rival win Super Bowl XLVII.

In 2012, the Steelers were overcome by injuries and their division foes in were able to take advantage. The Bengals and Ravens soared past them this season, both locking up spots in the playoffs. Their age showed against younger, more explosive teams and by season's end, they could only muster an 8-8 record.

More: Visit Behind the Steel Curtain for more on the Steelers

One could argue that these problems began in the offseason.

They brought in Todd Haley to be the offensive coordinator with intention that it would open up the passing attack. However, it led to an identity crisis that was reflected throughout the season. They did not field the same cohesive attack fans were accustomed to.

No. 1 wide receiver Mike Wallace also held out for a long-term, big money deal. The Steelers turned around and extended his counterpart, Antonio Brown and retained Wallace with a restricted free agent tender.

And despite the talent on the roster, the passing game could not find a rhythm. The Steelers were out of sync off the field and it reflected on the field. It also did not help that their running backs was banged up and changed biweekly.

Biggest Need: Running back

The Steelers need to get back to basics here by bringing in a workhorse running back. They need a true feature back to help balance this offense and help account for the lackluster play on the offensive line. Pittsburgh will look to pickup an every-down guy who can run in between the tackles and be a consistent threat.

They seemed to have lost that element this past season with guys like Isaac Redman and scat-back Chris Rainey. Rashard Mendenhall's production dropped, and he has struggled to stay healthy. Finding a productive running back would also help get this offense back on track and take some pressure off of Ben Roethlisberger.

They can do that by emphasizing the run game this offseason.

Other Needs: WR, OL, LB, S

In the eyes of many, Max Starks has been done for a couple years now. Starks gets washed out against most pass rushers. He was solid because he provided a wall but his game has been in decline. What kind of player do they have in second-year tackle Mike Adams? He struggled on the left side last season, but another year of experience could help. Another first-round pick for an offensive lineman might be out of the question, but Pittsburgh can find some much-needed depth later in the draft.

The Steelers also need to realize this linebacking corps needs a serious reboot. Inside linebacker Larry Foote is a free agent. Both in their mid-20's, Lawrence Timmons and LeMarr Woodley restructured their contracts to help clear cap space. Finding a replacement for James Harrison, 35, should be a priority.

But a new outside rusher and a general to command this unit from inside out would be ideal for this defense. Pittsburgh also has to concern themselves with their aging defensive line and secondary. Troy Polamalu is going to be 32 years old this season and Ryan Clark's on-the-field time has been limited. They also lack an above average cornerback.

And finally, with the anticipated loss of Mike Wallace via free agency, the Steelers will need to add some talent to the wide receiving corps as Antonio Brown looks to take the lead.

Steelers will be at least $10M over 2013 salary cap. Would be a surprise if they re-sign free agent WR Mike Wallace: bit.ly/rdpVys
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) January 10, 2013

NFL Draft Outlook:

The running back position and replenishing this defense have to be points of emphasis for the Steelers in this year's draft.

With this draft class, Pittsburgh can refresh their entire running back corps this year. In terms of a fit, someone that should be on the Steelers' radar is Montee Ball, formerly of the Wisconsin Badgers. This guy projects to be an every-down back and is a tough runner by nature.

According to CBS Sports:

Ball does a nice job finding the run lanes and attacking the line of scrimmage with good quickness in tight areas, showing the speed to get around the edge. He has good balance and deceiving run power to slip out of tackles, rarely going down easily.

Ball has sharp change-of-direction ability to quickly redirect his momentum and the footwork to sidestep defenders, bursting upfield. He is determined and runs with purpose, but also stays patient, following and allowing blocks to develop.

But Ball is expected to go somewhere between the second and third round. The Steelers have the 17th overall selection in the draft and could look to add the best defensive player available.

Outside of the running back position, the Steelers clearly need to bulk up on defense. They need to add some high-ceiling players that have a chance to develop behind these seasoned veterans in Pittsburgh. When their turn comes to pick in the middle of the first round, they should take the BPA on defense. Jarvis Jones would be a great pick, if he falls that far in the draft. If not, Alec Ogletree could be a player to watch.

From a personnel standpoint, this team could look very different this coming season. Age and huge salaries are preventing this team from being more cohesive across the board.

Expect some changes in 2013.

More in the NFL:

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Datone Jones to the Seahawks in Round 1

2013-03-07T13:00:07Z

Although there is no football this time of year, it is an exciting part of the NFL process nonetheless. Right now, 32 teams are gearing up for the 2013 NFL Draft that takes place at Radio City Music Hall in late April. For the most part, the evaluation process has been completed, with teams having their boards pretty much set.

For more on the Seattle Seahawks, visit Field Gulls

Given the team needs and projected stock of incoming prospects, the pundits are getting a better idea of which players teams are going after. On Monday, CBS Sports draft analysts Rob Rang and Dane Brugler released their updated mock drafts.

For the most part, they differed on their selections, especially in the top 10. In fact, they only saw eye-to-eye on three players in the entire first round. One pick they did agree on was UCLA defensive end Datone Jones going 25th to the Seattle Seahawks.

Surprisingly, they agreed that one of the league's top defenses needed help on the edge. They both felt Jones could provide depth and has serious upside as a pass rusher.

Rob Rang:

Datone Jones, DE, UCLA: The camaraderie forged between Pete Carroll's coaching staff and the scouting staff under general manager John Schneider has resulted in several surprising but ultimately successful draft selections in recent years. The 6-4, 280-pound Jones will be viewed by some as a 'tweener but he might possess the combination of strength, length, burst and passion to aid as an interior pass rusher in Seattle's hybrid front.

Dane Brugler:

Datone Jones, DE, UCLA: The Seahawks have one of the better defensive fronts in the NFC, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them add some depth, especially at pass rusher. Jones has the versatility to line up inside, outside and standing up, providing a pass rush from several different angles.

The Seahawks did just spend a high first on West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin in 2012. And they have gotten after the quarterback pretty efficiently. However, if Jones is the best player available at that point, the pick makes sense.

Given that they just landed a gem in Russell Wilson, one might expect them to look for an explosive playmaker for the offense. A receiver like Keenan Allen or Tavon Austin would be huge acquisitions for a Seattle team that is looking to overthrow the 49ers in the NFC West.

More in the NFL:

• Tom Coughlin talks with SB Nation's Big Blue View

• NFL defenses are changing, too

• NFL free agency: Vikings, Dolphins pursuing Mike Wallace