stockman311

Quite frankly, that is why you aren't a GM in the NFL. Loomis doesn't have the luxury to get "steamed" if he loses either Fujita or Sharper. It's a business decision and obviously their are 53 moving parts that have to be taken into account. From a fans perspective, losing a member of your Superbowl team is tough. I think everyone will agree that Scott Fujita is a fantastic person, and was a very solid LB for us. However, he will be 31 when the season starts, and LB's are much like RB's in the fact that they start to wear down as they cross that 30 line. Fujita missed 6 games last year, so I believe the Saints are looking to get younger and more athletic at that position. The Saints were not willing to part with $8MM today and possibly $16MM over the next three years for a LB on the wrong side of 30. I think the decision was sound.

We have young players like Dunbar, Mitchell, Arnoux, Mitchell, Evans, Casillas. With the exception of Arnoux, all of those guys are veterans now. One of them either needs to step up this offseason or we need to look at a stud OLB like Weatherspoon, Jerry Hughes, or Daryl Washington in the draft.

Now we have the ability to sign a free agent for the same money Fujita got from the Browns. It is Loomis' job to find a better player for that money. This guy just brought us a Superbowl. I trust him to walk across water at this point, and therefore have no problem with him letting Fujita walk. He and Payton have done a FANTASTIC job, with the draft, finding undrafted free agent gems, and free agency (Jason David not withstanding). Let's see how our roster looks in September before we judge how the offseason went.

falconhater

Much respect to Fujita.. But more speed at the second level is a must!!!
Good move for hm cashing in on Teams sucess and good move on our part letting him go. Best of luck to ya Scott!!! The cookie joke during the super bowl was classic. I love the way he verbally harrassed Manning All Day. Stayed in his head.

B_Dub_Saint

Back to the drawing board here guys and gals. Looking at the history of the saints since 2006, we will probably sign a free agent instead of throwing a rookie right in. The question is, who is available?

I really thought Fajita was our best OLB. If anything I thought Shanle would have been cut. Im pretty disappointed about this move.

Anyone know of any good free agent LB's on the market right now?

strato

[QUOTE=B_Dub_Saint;211968]Back to the drawing board here guys and gals. Looking at the history of the saints since 2006, we will probably sign a free agent instead of throwing a rookie right in. The question is, who is available?

I really thought Fujita was our best OLB. If anything I thought Shanle would have been cut. Im pretty disappointed about this move.

Anyone know of any good free agent LB's on the market right now?[/QUOTE


I think it was a mistake to..he was our best OLB...we saw what a difference he made ..coming back from his injury...I hope we have a plan..but still steamed we didnt offer him something..I think G.W didnt want him

RaginCajun83

IMO since Jackson/Swilling left, the Saints have gone with 2nd tier, scab players to fill OLB, this draft is deep at OLB so I have no problem with them dumping Fujita. Now the team has a chance to sign some of the 26 other FAs they have or go sign someone to improve the defense. Fujita just never struck me as a GW guy

Tobias-Reiper

... dude, the Dome Patrol, you are talking 99 percentile LB corps all-time (Swilling stinking it up in Detroit notwithstanding) if not the best all time, so your disappointment is probably going to last a long time. The odds of finding a Rickey Jackson to play OLB next season are slim, to say the least. There isn't one LB playing the game today better than Jackson played, and the draft, who knows...

strato

Aint that the truth..that D was once in a lifetime..

the-commish

I am sorry to see Scott go (especially to the Browns) but supply and demand rules the roost in free agency. The Saints probably told Fujita the maximum they would resign him for, and when the Browns trumped that, he knew he had to look out for himself and his family first.

Holmgren will have the Browns back competitive in a couple of seasons. They probably need to get rid of Mad Genius first, however.

voodooido

I am moving so I just found this out. I am really shocked.With the need at Dline in the first rd This lets me know they feel a backup cold be ready to step up.

ScottF

Disappointed to see him go, but that money wasn't something we needed to match. Popularity ans ability are 2 different things. Good for him.

Hopefully we are now in a position to sign a DE or LB, or lock down Sharper. I am not panicking yet, but I'd prefer not to lose 3 starters on D in one year.