What Jairus Byrd Signing Means for New Orleans Saints

March 12, 2014   ·   Michael Schottey   ·   Jump to comments


The New Orleans Saints defense just got some serious Super Bowl swagger. 
With the signing of safety Jairus Byrd to a six-year contract, first reported by the team's Twitter account, New Orleans—known for its offense more than its defense under head coach Sean Payton—grabs not only the best free agent of 2014, but also a serious building block for what is becoming a legit defense. 
In an NFC with defensive juggernauts like the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, the Saints will rarely be mentioned in the same breath. Yet, in total defense (yards allowed) the Saints were fourth in the NFL in 2013—ahead of San Francisco. In terms of points, New Orleans was also fourth behind those three revered NFC contenders. 
In Byrd, the Saints add one of the best safeties in the NFL. That he is only 27 is a major bonus. Heck, let's call it a coup for a defense that has struggled to shore up a secondary in recent years and ...

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