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New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas will be back with the team for this season at a reduced price despite an erratic 2006 campaign. Meanwhile, former Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Brian Simmons has agreed to a three-year contract with the Saints.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis wouldn't comment on the contract specifics, saying only Thomas "did agree to restructure." Thomas was to make $2 million this season and it was widely speculated the team might release the veteran cornerback, as it had wide receiver Joe Horn last week, if Thomas hadn't taken less money.

Thomas, 33, became the target for many teams to throw at toward the end of the regular season and playoffs. While taking on most of the opposing top receivers, Thomas struggled against such receivers as Cincinnati's Chad Johnson and Philadelphia's Donte' Stallworth.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound cornerback had 55 tackles, one interception and 11 pass defenses while starting 13 games. He missed two games with an injured hamstring and was inactive for the final game of the regular season to rest him for the playoffs.

The Saints are thought to be targeting a cornerback in April's NFL draft and still may do so with the 27th overall pick in the first round.

Cornerback may not be the problem in the Saints' eyes, considering the team has entertained three safeties since free agency began. Ex-Bengals safety Kevin Kaesviharn finished up his trip Tuesday. Deon Grant and Ken Hamlin made the other visits.

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunhera...s/16848965.htm

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