saint5221

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/NO/6969671

Not a very big free agent list and plenty of cap room, the Saints should be able to get the help they need this off season.


FREE-AGENT UPDATE:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--CB Fakhir Brown (capable reserve who the Saints would like to have back)

--RB Ki-Jana Carter (backup to Deuce McAllister suffered serious foot injury in November and may not be back)

--T/G Spencer Folau (lost his starting job to Victor Riley this season and ended season on injured reserve after tearing his patellar tendon, but he's wanted back)

--C Jerry Fontenot (15-year veteran announced last week that he wants to play at least another year and will talk to Saints about coming back)

--S Victor Green (was signed because of injuries, may not be likely won't be asked back)

--RDE Darren Howard (solid player who can become a free agent after voiding the final year of his contract, but Saints have already talked to him about a new deal)

--RB Fred McAfee (12-year veteran who excels on special teams, but had injury problems this season)

--TE Walter Rasby (helped as a blocker, but may not be back)

--WLB Derrick Rodgers (starter who had a solid year, likely to be asked back)

--TE David Sloan (cut in training camp and added to the roster late in the season because of injuries, likely won't be back)

--RB Lamar Smith (showed something when he replaced Ki-Jana Carter and could be back)

--FB Terrelle Smith (Saints love his blocking ability and want him back)

--CB Fred Thomas (has been a favorite of defensive coordinator Rick Venturi and is a solid cover corner, so they want him to return)

Restricted Free Agents

--S Steve Gleason (valuable special teams player who will likely be offered a contract)

--SLB Sedrick Hodge (starter who missed part of season with a fractured lower right leg, will be brought back)

--DT Kenny Smith (versatile player who can also play end)

--TE Boo Williams (came on as a receiver when Ernie Conwell went on injured reserve and will be offered a contract)

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

--LB Roger Knight (played primarily on special teams, likely to be offered a contract)

--RB James Fenderson (was hampered by an ankle injury this season, but is more of a special teams player than backup running back)

saint5221

I only see one must sign name on the whole UFA list, Howard of course. Rodgers would be nice to resign, the rest would matter only they can be had for a good deal. On the restricted list Boo for sure and Kenny if for good money. Screw Hodge. Anybody care much about signing any other of these guys?

BlackandBlue

Depending on money, I\'d be looking at Thomas and Brown too. Brown impressed me with some of his play, yeah, that one call should have been pass interference, but that\'s lack of experience. He played a high energy game against the Cowboys, as they were throwing at him all game long.
Howard scares me. Not a day goes by where I don\'t hear some TV/Radio sportscaster calling on the Cowboys to direct their attention on him in the offseason. Keep in mind, Glover played with Howard his first year, so Dallas has an inside track. I\'m starting to get the feeling that maybe this could be \"Glover Part II\"

The waiting drove me mad....
I don't want to hear from those that know...
Everything has changed, absolutely nothing's changed

Eddie is a....draftnik?

Danno

That scares me too. On a puff piece on Hazlett this weekend they did state that they wanted Glover and Johnson but only had enough cap room for one. They decided to re-sign Johnson so they let Glover go. But then negotiations broke down and they ended up losing Johnson also. Haslett admitted that was one of his worst mistakes ever.
I hope we don\'t lose Howard.
Can we match any offer and keep him or can he just sign with anybody he decides to for any amount?

D_it_up

Howard will most likely have the franchise tag slapped on him, so that he will be assured to come back to New Orleans. Losing him would be detrimental to what limited pass rush we have already. He and Grant make excellent bookends on the D-line. Now if we could just have someone in the middle step up to create more opportunites for them, we\'d be better than average on the line.