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First, my glass-is-half-empty view on the New Orleans Saints' offseason: They're facing the scariest free-agent period in franchise history. Although the Saints have thrived despite losing some valuable players in recent years, they've never lost one as important to the team as Drew Brees, Carl Nicks or Marques Colston. These guys are different. They're the elite of the elite, and they can't be easily replaced.

Now, my glass-is-half-full prediction: I think the Saints will keep all three of them.

It won't be easy. Although it's practically guaranteed that Brees will stay, the Saints might have to use their franchise tag on him. And Nicks and Colston certainly will attract a long line of bidders in the open market. By the time they all sign deals, their combined contracts will roughly equal the Gross National Product of a small country.

However, after seeing the way Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has managed the salary cap over the years and seeing how much the Saints value their home-grown talent, I expect them to make it work.

Full article.
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...ll_aim_to.html

RaginCajun83

Well no kidding..... you think Duncan, watch Loomis pull this off and upgrade the defense

voodooido

Personally I think very little upgrades are needed. Our defense will be MUCH better next year with a coach who does not rely soley on the blitz

Halo

I think we need help on the defensive line. Would like to see some shuffling and additions to 3 areas on defense.

1) release/trade/wave either Will Smith or Cedric Ellis to free up money. Pick up a veteran free-agent d-lineman.

2) release scott shanle and and pick up a veteran OLB through free-agency

3) evaluate picking up a veteran corner, but unfortunately they're always expensive when they're actually good.


So at least 2 upgrades, the D-line upgrade would actually free up money to get additional help.

SAINTstunna

Here'z to you GREG WILLIAMS!!!!!111

CharityMike

gandhi1007

DEAD ON......on all points.

ScottF

Smith will make $7 mill in 2012, Ellis $4.3 m
pretty good place to start

Byubengal

Halo, I might have to disagree with the Ellis release. I think he can be a little more productive in the "Spagonators" system. If he rotates the D line and Ellis can stay some what fresh, I think we might see his production go up. I also think if we can get some help on either side of him it would help. I do agree that Smith has not been all that impressive the last few years and do not think it would be a great loss if he was let go. I here Osi may be a free agent and could see us releasing Smith to try and get him or someone of his ability. Agree 100% about Shanle, I see him possibly going over to St. Louis, not sure what his contract status is though. I would also like to see them get a "hybrid" DE/LB like San Fran has. He could rotate in and out. We can use him an LB to cover all those TE's on some of the short yardage passing plays and then to DE on long yardage plays to help provide pass rush off the edge. I think if we can improve on the pass rush the CB's will get a little relief, but we do nee some guys who can press the big receivers. I never really liked the way Williams always seemed to have them playing so far off. I was always taught to try and jam the guys at the line, towards the side line and use my speed to keep them in front of me. Maybe I missed it but just do not recall seeing that a lot with Williams scheme.