I thought they were in talks at the moment with Calvin Johnson in getting a contract extension done, which would keep him in Detroit for a long time.

And I have my doubts about Arrington, I see Morgan as a more promising prospect than AA.

That's what they say, but it's kind of similiar to the Colston/Nicks situation in that the Lions are bumping up against the cap also. Calvin's interviews sound a lot like Nick's interviews in that "he'd like to stay, but ..."

I have to believe that they'll do anything they can in order to keep Johnson in the fold... and they have a complete season to do it.

I think they'll let Avril go because of the cap restrictions you mentioned, but they have to keep Johnson around if they want to see Stafford progress in his development.

Yeah, I think Avril becomes odd man out in a cap situation just because the Lions are kinda' deep on the D/Line and I'm also thinking he's looking for too big a payday.

I always think WR's are somewhat expendable in a pinch, but in Calvin's case, I'll agree with you ... keeping him around while Stafford matures can only help, and Stafford is the key to that team moving forward.

It's a business, whattya' gonna' do? That's the whole point in the salary cap, to promote 'parity' in the league ... no more dynasties.

Your Lions are already paying him quite a lot - cap hit of almost $17.8M for 2012 - so I don't know how much more any other team would be willing to pay him with the current salary cap restrictions.

It would be highly beneficial to the Lions if they could negotiate a new contract with him before the FA period begins in March, because that way they could free up some cap room if they made the new contract "end-heavy."

I read this somewhere else also, and that really got to thinking Jones would give us a king's ranson for Nicks if we tagged him. I would hate Nicks to go but if we could stay competitive for many, many years to come, I'd pull the trigger.

Hate to say it, but Brees isn't throwing to anyone on his back. All starts upfront

^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^

Find a reasonable deal for Drew then it's all about Nicks.

If we sign Brees (which we will) we only have 20 mil in cap space before signing him. Lets say he takes a friendly figure against the cap, say 16 mil his first year. This means nicks would have to take a maximum of 4mil against the cap which wont happen.

Brees should avg 18mil per year (first year 16mil maybe?)
Nicks should get 6-7mil per year (same as Evans)
Colston wants 7mil per year

Do the math saints have 100mil against the cap without these players(cap is 120m).

Unless cuts are made to the defense we will lose Nicks and Colston. Cutting some lackluster vet on D means keeping Nicks, however if the FO want all three back look for some major cuts on D.
(yes I know some vets may restructure contracts but it may not be enough)

Personally I love the young talent we have on D, but we cant get rid of the veteran knowledge completely. My prediction- Colston will no longer be a Saint, Shanle and Will Smith get cut.