Saints looking for defensive playmakers in the offseason
 

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...?mode=nfcsouth

We hear the Saints’ front office was keeping a close eye on two defensive players in the Super Bowl: Indianapolis’ Dwight Freeney and Chicago’s Lance Briggs. Freeney and Briggs are set to become free agents in the offseason, and we hear they are exactly the type of defensive playmakers that the Saints covet. While the Saints advanced to the NFC championship game with a bend-but-don’t-break defense, we’re told they realize they need to acquire an impact defensive player who will force turnovers to take the next step. Landing Freeney or Briggs, two of the biggest names on the free-agent market, would be a dream scenario. More likely, though, the Saints will hold on to their top free agent, DE Charles Grant, because there are few upgrades that will be available, and will try to acquire a marquee linebacker and cornerback through free agency and/or the draft. To free up the necessary salary-cap space, we hear the Saints may release veteran WR Joe Horn, who is in the midst of a six-year $42 million contract, and CB Fred Thomas, who struggled in the postseason vs. Eagles and Bears receivers.

RE: Saints looking for defensive playmakers in the offseason
 

Why would we get Freeney if we resign Grant? Also, anyone else not suprised to see Fred Thomas might be getting cut?

RE: Saints looking for defensive playmakers in the offseason
 

nice thought but I have read else where both briggs and freeney will be franchised at the least. both teams want them back.

hagan, exactly...which is why this quote was in the article.

"More likely, though, the Saints will hold on to their top free agent, DE Charles Grant, because there are few upgrades that will be available,"

I do see the Saints looking toward Donnie Edwards as an upgrade at MLB, and an upgrade at CB in FA/Trade while filling the roster with draft picks. IMHO, Campbell and Miller will return at TE while Conwell is moving on with Horn, Thomas, and a few more. Loomis has already said there is a turnover of 15 to 20 players in any new season.

I agree we hold onto Grant. I think we maybe looking at a DE as our first pick in the draft if we let Grant go.

Donnie Edwards is to old. Rather see us take care of that position in the draft.

Re: Saints looking for defensive playmakers in the offseason
 

just putting a "pipe" infront of dream.

would be a pipe dream scenario

I agree exactly. We already have a MLB who's younger and was putting up those kinda stats in Danny Clark. I like Willis in the draft and let those two share time. Briggs would be exellent for us, he or June. Both better than Shanle at the position, Fujita is a lock for us

D24, for my own knowledge, I followed up on the stats of Edwards, Clark, and Briggs and here are the findings for the last four years (2003 stats are first);

Edwards, last four years with the Chargers;
Tackles 122, 112, 104, 97
Assists 39, 46, 40, 44
Sacks .5, 1, 3, 2.5
Int 2, 5, 2, 3

Clark, one year with the Jags, two years with Raiders, and one with the Saints;
Tackles 29, 98, 82, 23
Assists 11, 31, 31 6
Sacks 0, 2, 1, 0
Int 0, 0 ,0 ,0

Briggs, last four years with Bears;
Tackles 65, 102, 83, 109
Assists 13, 24, 24, 21
Sacks 0, .5, 2, 1
Int 1, 1, 2, 2

Clark is three years older than Briggs and three years younger than Edwards.

My feeling is Briggs will cost too much, and Edwards not as much. Edwards has played in all 16 games the last 8 years in the league. For the money Briggs will fetch, put it to work on a shutdown CB and use Edwards to mentor Clark, Fincher, and I, like you, hope the Saints get Willis.

We also have to face the fact, that if Horn is released, then we will have to address another wide reciever in either FA, or the draft. Are there any big name wr's, that will be on the market? Besides T.O.? We have to think defense in the first two or three rounds, so I'm thinking a reciever will be more fesable in free agency. Any thoughts?