Cut Will Smith......YES. Too much money & not enough production.

Go after Osi Umenyiora......NO. His cost is too high & he's not even the best DE on his own team.

Let me begin by saying I believe in continuity. That being said, I viewed the following and wondered:

New-Orleans-Saints Salaries | New-Orleans-Saints Player Salaries | 2011 New-Orleans-Saints Salary

How much of a fall off would the D line have if Franklin, King, Johnson, Galette, Charleston, Jordan, and McBride were the front rotation?

Same ? for LB'ers; Dunbar, Humber, Casillas, Wilson, Herring, and Bussey (if all are HEALTHY)?

I don't think the front four would be a fall off at all. Quite possibly an improvement. As for the LB's, Vilma's leadership & knowledge of offensive formations would be missed but not much more than that. It would sure free up a heck of alot of money to use in free agency, that's for sure!

Yeah, we also have to remember that the "sleeper pick" Romeus will probably be ready to compete for a DE roster spot for next season.

Still, the Saints would need another DT in the rotation because 3 won't do and there's only Franklin there who plays NT while Johnson and King are both more 3-tech, furthermore, King might be little undersized in any case to be an effective pressure creator.

I think King played LB in HS, so maybe he is more versatile than we've given him credit for, and maybe the new DC can do some experimenting with his placement on the field to better take advantage of his skill-set.

In any case, both Smith and Ellis are not worth their current contracts, and if they won't agree to restructuring - the Saints might be better off without them in the roster for 2012.

Given our pitiful ability (lack of one actually) to get any real pressure I'd sign off on it. Windows of opportunity like the one we are currently enjoying are rare. We can hardly do worse with our D line and linebackers. Blow it up and let some of the new guys take a shot at it if nothing else.

Very true. I have high hopes for this guy.

I did a quick add of 2011 salary cap for Smith, Ellis, and Vilma and came up with approximately $20.7mm.

I agree with you on Vilma, and I'm hesitant to believe that his knee problems will be over now. Once the knees are gone, so is the sideline-to-sideline pursuit, which is a key for a MLB. Just look at Lofa Tatupu, who was an all-pro MLB with great speed on the field, but after his knees gave out the Seahawks couldn't get rid of him fast enough.

I would like for the Saints to maybe look at Curtis Lofton as a FA replacement for Vilma as the MLB, because as much as I like Dunbar - there's no guarantees he'll be back and Lofton would probably be better than him anyway.

Lofton had a conbined 147 tackles for the Failclowns last season with 1 sack, 7 patted passes, and 2 INTs one of which he returned for a TD.

Always like Lofton. I was disappointed when the Falcons drafted him.

You had me up to the last 2 lines. Smith, Ellis and I will add Vilma need to go, not restucture, maybe in a trade for other players or draft picks and if no teams bite so be it cut their sorry butts, that free's up cap space{alot}. I'm really pi$$'ed at those 3 anyway 1 for being overhyped and 2 same reason.We should be able to get a couple of quality players,{ SOMETHING THOSE 3 WAS IN THEIR DREAMS} either way.