Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

http://www.saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60964

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

i think i counted 8 saints players on the list... most were at the bottom 20... we definetly need to improve our team this offeason

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

Agreed. Also I think that especially on defense that we're going to need to pick up a couple of top tier free agents. They need to be top tier not only because it raises the talent level, but because it erases all doubt about them hitting the field.

Last season the Saints picked up 3 decent mid-tier defensive free agents (Simmons, KK, Clancy) that were rarely seen on the field. Most would argue that each played better than the starter in front of them.

We cannot have any more redshirt years on defense. The Saints need to sign top level guys, pay top level money, and get that talent and leadership on the field on the defensive side of the ball.

SFIAH

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

Hopefully, SFIAH since this is painfully obvious to us as fans that the front office will see it the same way.

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

I'm holding out hope. Maybe the way to explain it is that we need the equivalent of Brees on defense. Brees got big money, was ProBowl level talent, and is totally indispensible on offense. We need a player or two (three really but it would break the bank), that serves the same function on defense.

SFIAH

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

I think with Evans, Colston and Smith all coming up for contracts we need to nail down one or two right now, maybe all three. Then trade and cut our way to a good cap number. This is a tough call. I think we may see more turnover like in 2006.
I am looking forward to this.

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

I would love to see us sign Colston and Evans early. About Smith, I'm not sure if we need to re-sign him now. I guess it would be good to go after it now considering he had a pretty lackluster season and maybe it could bring his price down a little bit. However, I do know that Colston is a stud, and our wide receiving corps is nothing without him. And Evans has the potential to be the best OG in the game, we need to bring him back.

As far as signing a "big ticket" free agent, I would honestly be happy with one big playmaker, because I know we won't get two. If we signed Asante Samuel or Trufant, I would be happy because we are in great position in the draft and we have enough cap room that we can go after some other not-so-pricy free agents, which is what I'm sure we'll do. I just hope that the free agent we sign is on defense.

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

... not to be an ass, but that link is not to the actual source, which happens to be subscription content.

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

1 Asante Samuel CB 5-10 185 27 Unrestricted New England YES
2 Albert Haynesworth DT 6-6 320 26 Unrestricted Tennessee YES
3 Alan Faneca G 6-5 307 31 Unrestricted Pittsburgh YES
4 Dallas Clark TE 6-3 252 28 Unrestricted Indianapolis YES
5 Jared Allen DE 6-6 270 25 Unrestricted Kansas City MAYBE
6 Randy Moss WR 6-4 210 30 Unrestricted New England NO WAY IT HAPPENS
7 Marion Barber RB 6-0 220 24 Restricted Dallas MAYBE
8 Corey Williams DT 6-4 313 27 Unrestricted Green Bay MAYBE
9 Derek Anderson QB 6-6 229 24 Restricted Cleveland HE WANT'S TO START
10 Nnamdi Asomugha CB 6-2 210 26 Unrestricted Oakland DOMO BUT NO DOMO
11 Michael Boley LB 6-3 236 25 Restricted Atlanta DEAR LORD PLEASE
14 Marcus Trufant CB 5-11 197 27 Unrestricted Seattle YES
15 Lance Briggs LB 6-1 240 27 Unrestricted Chicago YES, YES, YES
16 Ken Hamlin S 6-2 209 27 Unrestricted Dallas MAYBE
17 Bernard Berrian WR 6-1 185 27 Unrestricted Chicago YES, OUR #2
18 Julius Jones RB 5-10 211 26 Unrestricted Dallas PASS

Re: Sporting News list of the top 99 free agents
 

Corey Williams DT 6-4 313 27 Unrestricted Green Bay
4 year deal and say good bye to Young. Thomas would be next to go age is the reason by next year. Draft youth

Bobby McCray DE 6-6 261 26 Unrestricted Jacksonville
For Depth Dump any back ups to get it done

Landon Johnson MLB/OLB 6-2 232 26 Unrestricted Cincinnati
I think this kid would be a great addition

Ok dump any veteran we have except scott.

10 Nnamdi Asomugha CB 6-2 210 26 Unrestricted Oakland
Empty the bank and dump any DBs to get it done except young. I know tag will land on him but if not...Young goes to #2 and M&M gets a settlement. Then go after a S.

If not....

14 Marcus Trufant CB 5-11 197 27 Unrestricted Seattle
He is M&M replacement at #2. Injury settlement with M&M

29 Drayton Florence CB 6-0 195 27 Unrestricted San Diego
#2/#3 and trade David to a Tampa 2 team

Sign these two and leave Young on the Island.

55 Madieu Williams S 6-1 203 26 Unrestricted Cincinnati
Good bye Josh and any vets to get it done



Yep I would turn the defensive roster upside down and there are no players safe except, Young, Scott, Smith and Roman. For this year. Trade or cut anyone. I am ready for a complete rebuild as long as youth is the key.
As for offense we take our lumps and go with the draft.