Sometime Saturday afternoon, if the Saints pick a running back in the first round, you'll hear the snickers, from some of the media and a lot of fans.
If the Saints select Beanie Wells or Knowshown Moreno with the 14th pick, they should do so because they really feel that player is best on the board.
Best on the board: when the Saints have followed that path this decade, they struck gold.
In 2001, the Saints had Ricky Williams, but then GM Randy Mueller drafted Deuce McAllister. Deuce departed this off season as the club's alltime leading rusher.
In 2003, the Saints had a glaring need and traded two first round picks for nose tackle Jonathan Sullivan. The deal was a disaster.
One year later, with Darren Howard and Charles Grant on the roster, then Saints head coach Jim Haslett liked defensive end Will Smith. Again, best player available. Smith was a very solid choice.
In 2007, the Saints needed a wide out and reached for Robert Meachem. So far, Meachem has been a big dissappointment.
In 2008, the Saints traded up to get a player they thought worthy of the 7 spot- Sedrick Ellis. Ellis looks like a very solid choice.
The Saints could easily get by with Pierre Thomas this year as their primary runner. But, I think you need a big back to win in this league, consistently. And, what happens if Thomas, as runners often do, gets hurt? The Saints are cooked.
So, if Beanie Wells or Knowshown is the best player on the board. I say go for it. Plus, a top shelf runner will always affect the game a lot more than some of these outside linebackers that may or may not be on the board.
They'll be some second guessing if the Saints go offense, but not from this corner.
Ed Daniels