Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Officially the 2009 season ended for the New Orleans Saints late into the evening on February 7 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

The brand new season though didn't actually begin until March 5 when free agency began.

Very few moves have been made by the Saints since winning the championship, but that isn't necessarily their fault. New rules in place this year put great restrictions on the teams that made it the deepest into the playoffs. The biggest of those restrictions is that the Saints could not sign a free agent until losing one of their own.

Hence they were kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place, but still some movement has happened and....

Saints' offseason report card...so far

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I really wish we could have kept Fuji. But after the 8 million dollar deal the Browns laid on the table, I don't blame the guy for bailing. Would have been nice to see him back. He was my wife's favorite player.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I miss Fujita already, but I think it was pure business and about money.

I agree with Danny's article on the offseason strategy so far.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

grade has to be an incomplete at this time, but the lack of FA visits is concerning

no one wanted to lose Fujita, but the reality is there was no way we could drop that kind of cash on a 2 down LB

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

PacMan!! I guess he could be Ok if he stayed out of the strip clubs (cause there are none of those in NO!! - HAH!!)

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Overall grade IS incomplete so far, but I was just going off of what has happened so far. I know it's hard to have a grade considering the restrictions due to making it so far into the playoffs...but once we lost a player, I expected a little more action then what I've seen so far.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Good job overall though Danny.

I disagree about Fujita, I thought he was mediocre at best. His benefit to Cleveland will be an upgrade to a team that appeared to lack proper discipline and motivation.

We no longer need that influence, but Cleveland sure does.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Its all about the money, and feeding your family.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

great article

as for my own personal grade of the offseason so far.....F+

cut our starting DE....cut our only depth at guard....cut our former starting MLB and lost our starting OLB to free agency so not only did we lose a starter.....we kicked out one of the backups that could've filled in for him

lost one of our biggest pieces of our offense last season.....in mike bell

ticked off darren sharper after an amazing year

and the players we've brought in to look at are leonard little and jake delhomme?

wtf......i know our options are limited but the best part of the offseason was taggin jahri evans.....and we havent been able to reach any deal with him yet which leads me to believe that should someone make that offer to him, we would entertain the idea of letting him go

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I have to say the team is doing ok so far. It's trying to keep the restricted FA's they have. Letting Grant go was ok. He was getting old and he's been injured the last 3 years. Let's not forget that he's looking at a 4 game suspension this year too. His production has declined. Letting Fujita go was just business. Yes, he was an inspirational player. But more talent will by far outweigh that inspiration. Fujita's production has dropped off for the last 3 years. A good young player in the draft would help tremendously. There is some good young talent on the roster too. Arnaux could still be considered a rookie. And Vaughn could be the replacement for Sharper if Jenkins isn't moved there. And let's not forget Osama Young. The fact is, Sharper pretty much went downhill after the 7th game. Age is catching up with him. As far as Bell goes, the Saints have plenty of talent at RB. And the draft is a few weeks away. Don't forget there are still players out there in FA that are capable of being a 4th running back. Because that's about what Bell ended up being. He had a few good games early in the year. And don't forget his best game was against the Lions. Please, my daughter could probably have a good game against them.
So, like I said, I believe the Saints are doing ok. There is still a lot of time left. And don't forget the June cuts coming up too. There will be plenty of opportunities to sign quality players. The team just needs to concentrate on the draft now.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I actually think the Saints are having a very good offseason. Yes, losing Fujita and Grant does sting, but lets face it, we have all known for a while these guys need to be upgraded. It might not happen for a while, but least the process is able to start. As for Bell, not upset at all for letting him walk. He had some decent moments, but I think more consistency can be found with Hamilton, or/and we all know the Saints can find RB's for the system they play. Not putting the tag on Sharper was a genius move. Sharper is injured and is at the end of his career. Yes, the Saints will welcome him back if he gets healthy and agrees to a fair contract, but at the same time the Saints cannot really worry if he gets away. He served his purpose for the team, Saints are too loaded with other options if he signs with another team.

Else more, I am glad the Saints didn't sign any of the few guys who were brought in for tryouts. No point in a knee jerk reaction when it comes to role players. There will be ample opportunity to draft talent, and fill the roll players out later.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Totally agree. I thought we would get a replacement for Fujita or a veteran DE immediately. We must be waiting for Alex Brown.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

If we are looking for him to talk to him, they might try the casino in Jasper, FL. The last time I saw him in person, he was there playing hold 'em at the same table as me. He seemed to be a pretty decent dude and I would love to see him become a Saint.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

i think a lot maybe Benson at this point. Scott is the only player i am second guessing about. Grant was easy to see coming. The rest is ok because the retirement home the saints built has to empty out a little each year.

As for visits I have say the Cap #s are forcing Benson hand right now. PT will cost how much? the list goes on so I really can not blame him for sitting and waiting for the key pieces in FA to fall in place. This uncapped stuff is silly. The saints are and were maxed out. So lets see what the draft brings first and the dollars our FA will cost second and then look at what is out there in FA.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

We need a few more upgrades at key positions. We were very old at LB and weak in the DL. We need younger guys with motors who are cheap and interchangeable.

Since we rely on beating people in the second half, it's best to be fresh when the time comes...

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I find our offseason is going pretty well. We're not rushing on any particular move, cut dead weight, planning for the draft, working on contract extensions, and gauging our own free agent values so that we're not overpaying fair market value. Unlike other teams, we're sitting on top right now and we have a pretty damn good team... while everyone else is trying improve to get to where we are now. With a piece here and there, we'll be right back in the thick of things. Patience... there are plenty of players that want to come play for us. Letting Payton and Loomis do their job the way they do it got us where we are today.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

I would have liked them to have made a serious attempt at QB D. Anderson. Just in case the worst happens. With the depth and talent on the defensive side of the ball in this draft, I'm confident they can fill atleast two of the three holes.

Re: Saints' offseason report card...so far
 

Initially I was concerned, but I'm not as nervous now because Sharper is still available, Grant was no brainer and no one else besides Fujita was a key piece. The key is the draft and June cuts......there are always good players becoming available from the cuts. And let's not forget possible trade scenarios that can bring in talent that our coaches have film on.