It’s jokingly said that NFL stands for ‘Not For Long,” but no one is laughing at New Orleans Saints headquarters on Airline Drive.
Not long after the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Saints today shocked the league and fans everywhere by waiving their entire seven-man rookie class. The move includes cutting prominent first-round pick defensive end Marcus Davenport (#14 overall) who the team moved up from the 27th pick to take by sending their 2019 first round selection and a 2018 fifth-round selection to the Green Bay Packers.
Coach Sean Payton said the move wasn’t an easy decision but necessary.
“We sat down as a staff and evaluated everything and everyone before making any decisions,” coach Payton said this afternoon from Chateau Golf and Country Club in Kennabra.
“After reviewing many unfavorable expert draft analyses and the grades they gave us, it was clear our rookies have failed to perform. The guys at ESPN, CBS Sports, NFL Network, and the Atlanta Falcons fan boards didn’t sugar coat it, and that’s what we need around here — pure honesty and toughness. We won’t tolerate or baby players who don’t step up. This is a pivotal season and we want everyone to know no one’s job is safe.”
The seven selections made in this year’s draft were the second most the Saints have had since 2008. Only the team’s 2015 class with nine outnumber it while 2017’s class ties it. Shockingly, not a single draft pick from 2018 will ever wear the black and gold. But coach Payton stood by his decision.
“It’s embarrassing. When an expert says your players are giving you a ‘C’ effort. That is not good enough. That’s failing. And we won’t fail. Or else I’ll cut the entire team. Except me. I’m more of an overseer. Or Drew. He’s my drinking buddy. But everyone else I’ll cut. Not Loomis. But after that, I’ll totally cut anyone.”
When Neutral Ground News told Payton that some analysts actually liked the Saints draft class and gave relatively positive reviews, the veteran coach brushed it off, saying to “not eat the cheese.”
Though, Bleacher Report analyst Ian Wharton gave the Saints one of this his lowest grades, a “C”, also known as a Cleveland. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs received the worst grade, a Detroit.