I would prefer to gain a quality LB like Fujita rather than lose him. So yes it is a bit of a concern. The money it would have taken to keep him was peanuts compartively speaking.

Just something to consider. If Fujita would have played for the Browns the past couple of years then won the Superbowl with them. I would have to think that most of us would be excited to then sign him in free agency.

So from a fans perspective it sucks. From a GMs perspective I guess not so much.

Think of a tender as a place holder.
The Saints have too many RFAs to work contracts with all of them in a matter of days. Placing tenders on them allows Loomis to work contracts on a priority basis (should the FO want to sign the player to a multi-year deal). Should another team offer a Saints RFA a contract, since the Saints would have a right to match it, Loomis' work would be reduced to reviewing the offered contract and decide "yes" or "no", rather than going through the motions of negociating the contract.

Do you guys think that if the Saints won 3 super bowls in 4 years you would still find something to piss and moan about? My God, give them some time, freaking free agency just started and we have a ton of free agents. Just because it is an uncapped year doesn't mean everyone is going on a spending spree. The Bears are the only ones spending money right now and last time I checked Julius Peppers can't play quarter back. Give it a rest.

Benson and the rest of the NFL doesn't have a printing press like Obama.

I think this rant is way off base. So is the idea that we are turning into jerks to quote Strato. IMO, the weak spots of our team last year were the defense's inability to stop the run at times and the lack of a constant pass rush. Both of these things can be helped with improved play from the defensive line and linebacking corps. So, to get upset because we did not match an overpriced offer for Fujita (from the Browns no less...think about all the great decisions they have made over the years) and because we did not "reward" players like Grant makes no sense.
Our offense is leaps and bounds ahead of our defense. Sure, we created turnovers and that won us a lot of games, including the Superbowl. But a lot of that is because teams had to keep up with our offensive production. Don’t kid yourself, if we had not been so good on O, or if an unfortunate injury happens on that side of the ball, then we are lucky to be a .500 club.
I would rather see us build a "dominating" type defense that forces three-and-outs, rarely gives up 100 yard rushing performances, and doesn't make QBs like Kevin Kolb, Josh Freeman and Jason Campbell look like Pro Bowlers. Imagine how sweet it would be to have a top 5-type defense to match with our top 3-type offense. We are not going to be that type of defense with the players we had last year. If we build a D that matches our O, then we build our dynasty.
Sure, Fujita was a fine player for us and what he did for the Saints on and off the field is appreciated. But to call us jerks and say we are cheap is uncalled for. The current FO that brought us our first Championship deserve better than that IMO.