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New Orleans Saints: GM Mickey Loomis Mastery Proven Again

By Erik Lambert

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk poses after being selected as the number 32 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk poses after being selected as the number 32 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk poses after being selected as the number 32 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk poses after being selected as the number 32 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

If there’s one GM in the NFL who never really has gotten the credit he deserves it has to be Mickey Loom of the New Orleans Saints and here’s why.

Understand that from 1967 to 2001, the franchise made the playoffs a total of five times. Then Loomis took over as general manager in 2002. From that point the Saints have made the playoffs five times. That’s the impact he’s been able to bring to an organization that was once considered the laughing stock of pro football. One that would never win a Super Bowl. Until they did in 2009, and it was because of his savvy maneuvering.

Perhaps nothing demonstrates Loomis’ roster savvy than what just transpired with the Saints. That being the unfortunate loss of left tackle Terron Armstead to a torn labrum.

Disaster averted

Last season this injury would’ve been devastating. This year, thanks to Loomis, it is survivable and that’s because the team had two 1st round picks and made one of them Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Initially penciled in as the right tackle, he can now be moved to the left. A position he’s more than capable of playing given his athletic chops.

Most people wouldn’t have put tackle at the top of the needs list for the Saints, especially given the state of the defense. Loomis though recognized a significant danger. That being the depth behind Armstead and veteran Zach Strief. Only Khalif Barnes and Bryce Harris were ready to stand in if somebody went down. Loomis wasn’t willing to chance it. So he drafted Ramczyk.

Good call.

Much of the Saints’ success in 2017 still hinges on the right arm of Drew Brees. His effectiveness is only so good as the blocking in front of him. Try to imagine if it were Barnes guarding his blind side against the likes of Vic Beasley, Cameron Wake, Ezekiel Ansah, Robert Quinn and others. It would’ve been open season on the quarterback. With a talent the caliber of Ramczyk in place, they can work through the experience concerns.

That anticipatory move by Loomis is why he gets paid the big bucks, as the saying goes.

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