An Interview on the NFL Draft With WWL's Mike Detillier – Big Easy Believer

(Photo courtesy of Mike Detillier)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This morning, the Big Easy Believer is extremely proud to present to you the one-on-one exclusive interview conducted by Big Easy Believer Staff / Saints Writer Jason Calbos with well-respected WWL New Orleans NFL and college football radio and television analyst, NFL Draft expert and Louisiana sports icon, Mike Detillier. Mike gives us his thoughts on the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft, and shares some great moments of previous Saints drafts including some wonderful memories with his dear friend and iconic New Orleans broadcasting legend Buddy Diliberto (a.k.a. “Buddy D”), who passed away back in 2005…….

I was recently able to sit down with Mike Detillier. Anyone who is a fan should know who Mike is. He’s the college and pro football analyst for WWL 870 AM. Sports Illustrated named him the “Best Unknown Sports Voice” in America in 2006. I was able to sit down with him. We talked about his career the Saints and few pressing issues for New Orleans’ (and all of the Gulf Coast region’s) favorite football team.

Big Easy Believer Staff / Saints Writer Jason Calbos, with son Dennis

Jason Calbos, Big Easy Believer: You’ve been covering the draft since 1985. What are several things that stand out as some of the most memorable moments in all those years for you?

Mike Detillier: Oh goodness. I got a lot of bad ones. Most memorable one that was “good” wise, was back in 2006. This team was flat on their backs, and the excitement when they picked Reggie Bush was a great experience. The community was so excited to see him available, and of course you already had Drew Brees. That was memorable.

Another moment was the Ricky Williams pick and my comment of when the Colts picked Edgerrin James, “that seals the deal, Ricky Williams will be a member of the New Orleans Saints”. I actually heard ESPN Radio play it on my way back home that night. I got calls from all over the nation about it. The place went nuts and folks were pulling over to run into the tents we had set up at Zephyr’s field. Mike Ditka was like Caesar greeting the subjects that day. It gave people some hope even though the trade was for way too much and it really didn’t work out for the Saints.

A funny moment I remember was when Jim Mora picked Alex Molden over Eddie George; and once they made the pick, it completely cleared out the HighTops Sports Bar. Buddy D and I did the rest of the 1st round and 2nd round with maybe 10 people. I knew it was the end for Mora. People wanted Eddie George and once they didn’t pick him, they all left. Hilarious moment and very true.

The one I remember the most is the Dante Stallworth, or as Buddy D. put it, Dante Stallpepper. In my draft book, I had the Saints picking Stallworth. Randy Mueller was the GM back then and we met days before the draft and he told me: if Stallworth was there, they would pick him, but they didn’t think he would be there. First time I heard Buddy say Stallpepper (and to be honest I think he said Stallpecker), Randy just stared at me! Buddy was betting everyone they would pick Stallworth if available; and Kenny Wilkerson had a report they would pick Jeremy Shockey. That fueled the fire. Buddy collected about 280 bucks that day. Buddy and I had some great times even though they were not winning. They didn’t do real well come draft day.

Buddy Diliberto

Drew Brees has stated that he wants to retire as a Saint. Do you see that happening? Do you see a scenario in which is doesn’t?

Rarely do things end like they do in the storybooks. I know it did for John Elway, but that was rare. No, I see somewhere down the line a parting of the ways. Not in 2016 of 2017, but eventually I can see this team moving on. I would love to see him retire as a New Orleans Saints, but he has said numerous times he wants to play until he is in his 40’s. I don’t see that happening in New Orleans. I would play Drew until its over for him and I truly believe he has plenty of football life in him.

The Saints have 9 draft picks and are looking to revamp their defense. Is there any way you see them picking an offensive player in the first three picks?

Yes, I do. This team needs a big play wide receiver with size. That is part of what makes this offense works so well. Mismatches down-field with a bigger target and this team still needs to add another big man upfront along the offensive line. So I see 2 of the top 4 picks on offense. I can’t see Marques Colston and Jahri Evans on this team in 2016.

In your opinion does the team of Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton still have magic left in that bag that has allowed them to find players that were passed over but steals in the later rounds like Marques Colston?

The magic in the late rounds is all about area scouts. Those guys know the players inside and out. Sean is the head coach so he knows the top players, but he doesn’t have time to go see every practice and game by college players. Mickey Loomis handles the financial part of the game. Loomis does have the final say on picks and trades, but Payton has his fingerprints on every player on this team. Late round picks and college free agents are sourced to a team by the area scouts. They have plenty of say in that matter and late in the draft you go for need or a player that you have rated highly that for whatever reason falls through the cracks.

In some circles the Saints are a trendy pick to make the playoffs. What is the biggest obstacle in your opinion within the organization to making this happen?
They have to win the giveaway/takeaway ratio. They have put their hands in the alligator waters for too long. That stat has to be on the plus side. The great success of the New England Patriots have so much to do with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, but they have been on the plus side of the giveaway/takeaway ratio every year since 2005. They are in the plus side by more than 120 since that year. You have to create turnovers and part of that also is not turning the ball over and that means better protection for Drew Brees. Bottom line, this defense has to create more turnovers. The Saints offense will always be aggressive under Sean Payton and they will always feature the pass first. The Saints have been on the plus side of the giveaway/takeaway ratio only twice under Payton and one of those times they won the Super Bowl.

Could you finish this sentence for me please. The most important positional needs for the Saints in the upcoming draft is______?

They need a pass rusher. Pressure breaks the football pipe. Both starting defensive ends are free agents after this year. Junior Galette is a good pass rusher off the edge, but vulnerable against the run. So I’d say Pass rusher first. 2nd for me is to shore up their offensive line. Protect the most prized player on the team in Drew Brees. If the pass rushers are gone, then pick LSU offensive tackle/guard La’el Collins. The surprise is that due to his off-field issues Nebraska’s Randy Gregory could be on the board and I know the Saints have spent a lot of time researching Dorial Green-Beckham-a very talented WR. from Missouri/Oklahoma and he could be in play at #31. Watch for A.J. Cann, my top rated OG. from South Carolina or Clemson ILB. Stephone Anthony in the 2nd round.

Nov 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (15) catches a touchdown pass against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. Missouri defeated Kentucky 47-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Do you think the Saints should start looking for the heir to Drew Brees? If not now then when??

Good question. It is who is available. He is not on the roster now, but those guys don’t just fall from the trees and with all this spread and pistol schemes in college football that area is getting harder and harder to find. If the right fit was there, yes, but there is a big drop-off for me after Winston, Mariota and Bryce Petty in this draft. My question is why with a shot to draft that quarterback for the future. Last year in Round 2 Jimmy Garoppolo was sitting there for the taking. Garoppolo was from the same school as Sean Payton, Eastern Illinois. Tell me why did the Saints pass on him to take cornerback Stanley Jean Baptiste? Baptiste saw no playing time last year while the Saints had a Grand Canyon sized hole at cornerback.

Just think what the NFL will be like in five years with no Drew Brees no Peyton Manning, no Tom Brady, and no Tony Romo Then put five years on Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger. Sure, play Drew Brees until the wheels come off the cart. Just make damn sure if you get rid of him you have someone better and where is that guy?

Who’s going to be next after Brees?

The Saints let go several players who’s attitudes weren’t appreciated in the locker room. The Saints drafted one of those players. Do you see the drafting and eventually release of highly talented Kenny Stills a once in the draft mistake made by Loomis?

Well you got value. Stills was a 5th round pick and you got a 3rd in exchange and a potential starter at middle linebacker. It was a chemistry issue with Stills, but he is a good football player. Sean Payton knows that locker room better than anyone. But you got value in return. That is why this team needs a repeat of 2006 in getting a group of top players via the draft. Reggie Bush, Roman Harper, Jahri Evans, Marques Colston, Zach Strief all came from that draft and they also picked Rob Ninkovich. And thru draft day trades they got OC. Jeff Faine and DT. Hollis Thomas. That is what has to happen in 2015.

Do you see anymore surprises up the Saints organizations sleeves?

With this team and this off-season nothing would surprise me anymore. Sean Payton knows this is a crossroads season for a team that got old last year. You can’t blow up the entire team, but he knew he had to make changes and fast. And you have to hit on draft day. Last year other than Brandin Cooks the draft was a so-so. The most important draft since 2006..

I got a feeling this team will wheel and deal on the first couple of days of the draft.

If you are looking to order Mike’s highly-anticipated 2015 NFL Draft Report, go to SaintsReport.com or MikeDetillier.com

The Big Easy Believer would like to thank Mr. Detillier for taking the time out of his extremely busy schedule, to give us this interview. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter @MikeDetillier, and of course you can see and hear him exclusively on WWL Radio (870 AM and 105.3 FM) and on television (Channel 4).

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