SAINTS' OFFSEASON DEFENSIVE BLUEPRINT
 

UFA: Unrestricted free agent

RFA: Restricted free agent

ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent


NAME, POSITION, 2002 STATS, CONTRACT, 2003 CAP VALUE, COMMENT

James Allen LB 10 tackles, 1 start 2004 $460,333 Projected starter at WLB.

Jay Bellamy S 98 tackles, 3 Int. 2004 $1.25M Could be released; team would take $300,000 cap hit.

Fakhir Brown CB 16 tackles FA None Not a signing priority.

Travis Carroll LB 12 special teams tackles 2003 $303,000 With broken leg healed, will go to camp.

Dale Carter CB 28 tackles, 1 Int. 2008 $1,995,237 Returning starter; 2003 cap hit if he's cut would be $2.57 million.

Martin Chase DT 23 tackles 2003 $621,500 Provides quality depth, probably not a starter.

Charlie Clemons LB 112 tackles, 1/2 sack UFA None Voided of 2003 and likely won't be re-signed; team would take $500,000 cap hit.

Bryan Cox LB 5 tackles, 1 start UFA None Retirement likely.

Keyuo Craver CB 15 tackles 2004 $391,083 Good prospect and special teams player.

Steve Gleason S Led special teams with 27 tackles ERFA None Special teamer likely to be re-signed.

Charles Grant LDE 36 tackles, 7 sacks 2006 $993,750 Projected full-time starter.

Toby Gowin P Avg. 41.9 yards per punt UFA None Roster spot no guarantee.

Norman Hand DT 47 tackles, 2.5 sacks 2004 $5.475M A likely cap casualty who will cost $2.75 million against the 2003 cap.

Michael Hawthorne DB 36 tackles, 1 Int., 4 starts RFA None Unlikely to be re-signed.

Sedrick Hodge LB 88 tackles 2003 $560,666 Returning starter at SLB.

Curtis Holden LB Spent season on IR ERFA None Coming off reconstructive knee surgery.

Darren Howard DE 56 tackles, team-high 8 sacks 2003 $846,000 Team likely to extend his contract.

Ken Irvin CB 61 tackles, 2 INT FA None Solid veteran who might be re-signed.

Grady Jackson DT 53 tackles, 5.5 sacks 2003 $2.375M Returning starter; needs to lose weight.

J.J. Jones LB 11 special teams tackles 2003 $300,000 Will go to camp.

Roger Knight LB 10 tackles ERFA None Quality reserve.

Sammy Knight S Led team with 127 tackles, 5 Int. UFA None Unlikely to be re-signed; would cost $400,000 against 2003 cap.

Mel Mitchell S 27 special teams tackles 2004 $338,500 Projected starter at strong safety.

Darrin Smith LB 123 tackles, 3.5 sacks 2004 $2.187M Likely to return as backup.

Kenny Smith DL 18 tackles, 3.5 sacks 2003 $543,166 Prospect made strides at end of season.

Fred Thomas CB Career-high 5 Int., 1 sack 2003 $1.7M Returning starter.

Willie Whitehead DL 41 tackles, 3 sacks UFA None Looking for starting role with another team.