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The Saints have re-signed defensive end Bobby McCray, according to a league source.

The Saints surprised the football-following world not long ago by cutting one-dimensional McCray, a good pass rusher, but who has trouble against the run. McCray's new deal has a base salary of $1.5 million with another $1 million available in incentives.

The move tends to confirm the opinion that the Saints made the move in late June because he was due to get a roster bonus of $1.25 million in early July, along with a $2 million base salary.
He is expected to battle former Bears defensive starter Alex Brown for a starting job. Brown became expendable in the offseason when they signed Julius Peppers.

The Saints took the risk that McCray would sign elsewhere and just like it did with with veteran safety Darren Sharper, everything worked out o\for the defending champs.

Not many, but some folks like the Saints' chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

The Saints are coming off a feel-good story, but Super Bowl champs rarely repeat.

WhartIFSports.com writes that the Saints should repeat as Super Bowl champs, a feat nobody has been able to achieve since 2002. The website predicts a 12-4 record for the "Drew Brees' arm should be insured by Lloyd's of London. Isn't it already. "

Andy Benoit, the founder of NFL Preview 2010 | Predictions & Projections | NFL Touchdown, predicts the Saints will win the NFC, but undefeated won't happen. "Talent-wise, the Saints should be around 13-3, 14-2, but we've seen how things for defending Super Bowl champions. One or two key injuries and this team could be looking at 9-7 again.

"Defensively, Gregg Williams knows he has mid-level talent, particularly in the front seven. But he also knows that aggressive, deceptive blitzing can mask a lot of flaws. The Saints defense is like the homely-looking guy who somehow gets the ladies by being a brash alpha male.

"Thanks to a standout secondary, Williams has been able to remove the hinges from his blitz-hungry scheme

"Perhaps the Saints should shoot for a perfect season. Most great teams avoid this kind of talk.
But we say this about every defending Super Bowl champ, don't we? We always think the defending champs can show how accomplish bigger and better things. The reality is, no team has won even won back-to-back titles since the 03'-'04 Patriots, let alone achieve perfection. Maybe this is where Sean Payton can begin his first motivational speech in 2010."

Evin Adrian of BleacherReport.com has the Saints at the Saints at 8-1 to win the Super Bowl, behind the Colts at 7-1.

"Sorry Saints fans, but I can't put your team first. A Super Bowl repeat is almost impossible, but Drew Brees is an elite quarterback who can succeed with any group of receivers.

"I would like to see them prove me wrong, but I don't see the Saints repeating this year. A Super Bowl berth, though, doesn't seem too far fetched."

We'd like to see your predictions for 2010. Email them to edcoachstaton@yahoo.com.

SAINTS TRANSACTIONS: The Saints signed center Matt Tennant, a fifth-round draft pick, to a four-year contract.

The Saints also cut linebacker Harry Coleman of LSU, linebacker Sam Maxwell, defensive end Brandon Sharpe and cornerback Marcell Young. All were signed as undrafted free agents earlier this year.


McCray married actress Khadijah Hagg in Los Angeles on July 17.
Saints teammates Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey were groomsmen and Khloe Kahashrian Odom was a bridesmaid. She is married to Lakers star Lamar Odom.

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

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