tiggerpolice

After a fast start in free agency, the Saints are starting to look forward to the April 26-27 draft.

With the 10th pick in the first round, the team will most likely try to add a quality defensive player to help complete a mini-makeover of the NFL's 26th-ranked unit this past season.
Even though they've already added two linebackers, a cornerback and a backup defensive end, the Saints could still be in the market for a defensive tackle, or perhaps another linebacker or cornerback in the first two rounds of the draft.


TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

1. Defensive tackle: The Saints return both starters, but Brian Young will turn 31 this summer and Hollis Thomas is already 33. The primary backups are Kendrick Clancy and Antwan Lake, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a young, aggressive player who can stop the run to add to the rotation.

2. Cornerback: In Randall Gay, the Saints landed a solid cover corner to go with Mike McKenzie. Gay will have a chance to unseat Jason David, who got a big contract as a restricted free agent last season only to struggle in the Saints' scheme. Also, McKenzie is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 16 and will likely miss a good portion of the offseason work.

3. Linebacker: The Saints moved to get more athletic in the middle with the acquisition of Jonathan Vilma, but getting a young player to pair with Scott Fujita on the outside remains a possibility. Free-agent signee Dan Morgan will likely move from the middle to the weak side, but the Saints could attempt to further upgrade the position for the future in the draft.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--LCB Mike McKenzie continues to rehab a torn right ACL that he suffered in Week 16. He will likely miss a good portion of the offseason workouts, but agent Drew Rosenhaus said in late January that McKenzie is making good progress.

---

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Jay Bellamy was a 14-year veteran last season and as such probably doesn't figure into the team's plans for 2008.

--QB Jamie Martin is not expected back after the Saints signed Mark Brunell.

--CB Fred Thomas was a healthy inactive for nine games last season and it's highly unlikely that he'll return to the team.

--DL Renaldo Wynn played well after being signed off the street early in the season and had 3.5 sacks, but it's not known if he will be offered a new contract.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--QB Mark Brunell: UFA Redskins; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--CB Randall Gay: UFA Patriots; $12M/4 yrs, $3.75M SB; 2008 cap: $1.688M.

--DE Bobby McCray: UFA Jaguars; 5 yrs, terms unknown.

--LB Dan Morgan: FA Panthers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--LB Jonathan Vilma (traded Jets).

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--DE Josh Cooper: ERFA; terms unknown.

--WR Terrance Copper: Potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--C/G Jonathan Goodwin: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

--PK Martin Gramatica: Potential UFA; $730,000/1 yr.

--WR Devery Henderson: UFA; $$950,000 base salary/1 yr, SB unknown.

--TE Eric Johnson: UFA; $1.025M/1 yr, $200,000 guaranteed.

--TE Billy Miller: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--OG Jamar Nesbit: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

--WR David Patten: UFA; $3.25M base salaries/2 yrs, SB unknown.

--MLB Mark Simoneau: UFA; terms unknown.

--RB Aaron Stecker: UFA; $1.4M/1 yr.

--DT Brian Young: UFA; $12M/3 yrs, SB unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--C Jeff Faine: UFA Buccaneers; $34.5M/6 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

--S Steve Gleason: UFA; retired.

--PK Olindo Mare (released/failed physical).

--LB Matt McCoy: Not tendered as RFA/Buccaneers; terms unknown


FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - New Orleans Saints Team Report

foreverfan

Nice summary, but I already knew all of that.

beauchristopher

do teams not have to franchise a player?

phatoosdey

it is not mandatory for each team to franchise a player each year - if thats what you are asking