New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Casillas likely to sign tender with team
 

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who had visited with the Tennessee Titans and fielded interest from other teams as well, is likely to sign his tender offer with the club, according to a league source. The signature should come in the next couple of days.

Friday is the deadline for restricted free agents to sign with other clubs. The Saints had put a first right of refusal tender offer on Casillas, which would mean a one year contract in the neighborhood of $1.26 million; another team would not face a draft pick compansation if it signed him.

The move is unlikely to come as a complete surprise to the Saints - last week, general manager Mickey Loomis had Casillas slotted as a starting linebacker along with Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton on his pre-draft whiteboard.

Casillas, 6-feet-1, 227, has shown flashes of playmaking ability since he made the team as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2009. He was playing with the first team in camp in 2010 before suffering a foot injury that cost him the season. Last year, played in 13 games with 4 starts, notching 33 solo tackles and 24 assists. He also had three sacks and was credited with three passes defended.

But injuries again hampered him in 2011, as Casillas was inactive with a knee injury for three regular season games and the wild-card playoff round victory over Detroit.

For his three-year NFL career in New Orleans, Casillas has appeared in 24 games with 6 starts, recording 44 solo tackles and 33 assists.

New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Casillas likely to sign tender with team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

So that makes 40 LBs total on the roster. LOL. But seriously I have a feeling some of those guys might get turned into pass rushers. Guys like Wilson, & Casillas seem like they have the speed & size (maybe could add a few more pounds) to be edge rushers off the line. Plus with Spags being high on the Nascar package you could see maybe Wilson, Gallette, Jordan, & even Casillas on the D line at the same time. No way a O-Line can account for all of those guys & with Lofton, Hawthorne, Chamberlain behind them.....I think that would be nasty.

I suspect he didn't get the moola he was looking for, he might not like training camp either. I think he could be a servicable back-up but not a quality starting caliber lb. in the NFL.

He's proven that he could be a starter if healthy but he's never healthy. If he stays on the roster without injury this year he wil do very well IMO.

update Casillas signs with Saints, is immediately put on IR

April 20, 2012 5:28 p.m. - by Larry Holder

Restricted free agent LB Jonathan Casillas told CBSSports.com that he won't sign an offer sheet with another team and that he plans on being back in New Orleans this weekend. He didn't specify if he was ready to sign his tender. He visited the Titans earlier this offseason and said he had a good visit but quickly stated he would love to finish his career in New Orleans. He was tendered a no-compensation tender worth about $1.3 million in 2012.

RFA LB Casillas says he wants to return to Saints - New Orleans Saints - CBSSports.com RapidReports

Who knows what guy is capable of if he can stay healthy

He's going to have a tough row to hoe.

Casillas would have more than a few pounds to gain only weighing 227 right now he is considered a small LB thus why he plays will. I was a huge Casillas supporter but after analyzing his play this past year he seems to consistently miss tackles and has trouble shedding blocks. I dont want him re-signed there are enough additions to the LB core that now it is the strongest position on D.

Furthermore Wilson needs to be given the chance to prove himself as the SLB he will do better in a less complicated system. Wilson came on very strong at the end of the season when he was in the game.

With Spagnoulo all our poor tacklers will improve, our defense will be better as a whole.

I'd like to see him back, if he can stay healthy he might be decent depth