Saints: Who could stay and who could go - Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Tight Ends
 

Running backs, Tight ends and Quarterbacks
Running backs: Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, Jed Collins
Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, John Gilmore, Tory Humphrey, Michael Higgins
Quarterbacks: Drew Brees, Chase Daniel

Sproles: When the Saints signed Darren Sproles, the thinking was that he’d replace Reggie Bush. He did that, and more, setting an NFL record for all-purpose yards. He signed a four-year contract, meaning he has three years left. In other words, Sproles isn’t going anywhere.

Thomas: How important is Pierre Thomas? When he went out of the playoff loss to San Francisco, things got a lot tougher for the offense. The league’s best screen pass catcher and one of the best guys for yards after contact, Thomas is an underrated back on the national scene. But locals and the Saints know what he means. Thomas will be back.

Saints: Who could stay and who could go - Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Tight Ends | wwltv.com New Orleans

The writer addresses Collins but not Hall. Hmmmmmnnnnnnnn

I liked Hall. It was hard for Payton to cut him. I hope he picks up somewhere else if not here.

I would think in the running back dept. Ivory and the fullbacks would be a bit expendable just because fullbacks are getting phased out and Ingram would pick up any slack left by dealing Ivory. I really like Ingram, wish he would of went to Michigan/Michigan State and/or been drafted by the Lions. Of course Sproles & PT stay, what a 1-2 punch out of the backfield, and yeah, Pierre Thomas is one of the best kept secrets in the NFL.

How often do you run a two TE set? What you might be looking for in a TE is more of someone to back up Graham? The concussion issue in the NFL today is big and it's going to become more of a legal issue too, so maybe David Thomas won't be back if he's had too many. The other TE's don't have near the numbers Graham does and seem like they'd be gone if something better came along.

You got a backup QB who is comfortable knowing he's not going to play much behind Brees and probably isn't a candidate to start anywhere else ... he'll stay for the chance at a ring next season.

Just a guess, but I'd think they'd thin the running back herd just a touch to make room for some D/L & D/B acquistions.

Me too. We just don't need two FBs.

Payton didn't cut him. He's still on the team.

Hall was originally picked up by the Saints from GB because of his special teams excellence not for his full-back play, but it was only logical to think he would also play that position rather than having two FBs on the roster, and he would have if not for Collins.

Also, the speculation in regards to PT's future is unnecessary because he signed his latest contract last year and will only be entering the second year of that contract, which would make trading him problematic. On top of it all, he is relatively cheap for what he brings to the table and it would be stupid to get rid off someone like that - PT will be making about $2.5M/year through his contract with undisclosed escalators.

The article itself had some daring predictions... everyone returns for at least another season.