WhoDat!656

The 2012 NFL free agency period may not be the kindest to the New Orleans Saints as they have 13 unrestricted free agents that they must deal with, including the big three — quarterback Drew Brees, guard Carl Nicks, and wide receiver Marques Colston.

Besides these three the Saints will also have to figure out what to do with corner Tracy Porter, wide receiver Robert Meachem, linebacker Ramon Humber, defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar — the most notable – among many others.

First and foremost it seems very likely that Brees gets a new contract, or at worst gets franchised for the 2012-2013 season while negotiations are ongoing to finalize a new deal.

There is now way that Brees is not wearing a Saints jersey until the day he decides to hang up his cleats for good.

Nicks is a Pro Bowl guard, one of the best in the league, and one sure to command big money.

Last year teammate Jahri Evans, his partner on the other side of center, signed a seven-year, $56.7 million dollar contract which included a $12 million dollar signing bonus.

Nicks should get every bit of that, if not more, to remain with the Saints.

Marques Colston posted his third straight 1,000 yard season, and fifth since entering the league six years ago.

In fact the only season he didn’t post over one thousand yards was in 2008 when he missed five games with a broken thumb.

The average NFL receiver makes about a $1.5 million dollar base salary per season, however top tier receivers can command upwards of $20 million.

Arizona Cardinal receiver Larry Fitzgerald made $20 million in 2011 after signing an eight-year, $128.5 million dollar contract in August just before the start of the season.

While Colston won’t get that type of money, Baltimore’s Anquan Boldin makes $6 million a year, while Detroit’s Calvin Johnson hauls in a cool $8.875 million dollar base salary.

Logic dictates that Colston’s new deal will fall somewhere in that range — $6 to $8 million — as he is more productive than Boldin and nearly as productive as Johnson.

That would be huge payday for Colston, who was tied for 14th in the league matching Houston’s Kevin Walter with a $3 million dollar salary in 2011.

Saints re-signing Brees, Colston, Nicks could cost pricey veterans their jobs

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

jeanpierre

Sounds like the defense will be facing some cuts...

Pay for Production

NOS2SB

Does anyone think that Brees will take a cut in order to keep other players?

Saint_LB

I don't. Unless I heard it wrong...I was listening to an 8 + minute interview on WWL am 870 and he was going on about how the NFL was a business and how you hated to see fellow teammates and friends move-on, but emphasized that this was part of the business and he couldn't let his emotions affect his business dealings...or words to that effect.

Everybody knows that I have always been leary of his inner intentions...and I hope I misinterpreted what I heard...but in a way...I agree with him. He can't worry that they might not be able to sign everyone if he makes too much...he has to protect his own and his family's interest.

I have been very hard on him regarding this topic but I do believe that his ego will win out in the end. He wants to be the highest paid player and by all rights he deserves to be, but if he is the highest paid player after this is all over, there is no way that Loomis can bring everybody else back, IMO.

Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!

jcp026

Will his ego win out in regards to wanting to be the highest paid player or will it win out in regards to wanting to win Super Bowls and be one of the greatest ever?

NOS2SB

I tend to agree, but after you have 50 million, what's another 10? Would you be less happier in life if you were 10 million short? I know I wouldn't.

dizzle88

It will be interesting to see what happens to Tracy Porter

First year with GW - Porter and Greer combined only allowed one TD pass against them - Roddy white pushing greer to the ground on obvious offensive PI

Since then... Porter has not been aggressive, he never fights for the ball, he struggles in one on one coverage which is very strange because he was awesome in 2009 at that.

Will be interesting to see if he could excel in Spags D, but Porters also scared to tackle, Spags wants tough, hard nosed, sit you on the ground kind of D.
If Tracy doesn't show he's willing to play that way, Pat Robinson is a good replacement, Plus Johnny Patrick showed us something late in the season - solid tackler

Your bonehead creator picked a fine chapter to omit from your memory bank....let me ask you, does a machine like yourself ever experience fear? - Vegeta, DBZ

SaintFanInATLHELL

He should not. While Brees' first contract with the Saints was a shared gamble, based on 6 years of production it was greatly undervalued. Brees' money should be, and must be in the low $20 million range. It's pay that matches his standing as hte premiere QB in the game. The only way it should be under $20 a year is if the total contract exceeds $120 million.

Bottom line the Saints will need to make some choices. As painful as it will be, the team probably cannot and will not pay Colston what he's worth. Colston has already given the team the hometown discount on his 2nd contract, and there's probably not going to be a 4th contract for him. So he also needs to secure his $12-15 million/year contract this time. But for those dollars it won't be with the Saints. The receiver corps will just have to have the next man step up.

Nicks needs to be resigned at all costs, even if that means matching Evans' contract.

It's going to be a tough offseason. I'm just hoping that it doesn't get so tough that Loomis feels obligated to franchise Brees in order to get his costs down. While it may be good for the bottom line, it'll be terrible for morale.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

RockyMountainSaint

Brees: "My No. 1 Priority is Keeping Our Team Together"

SanDiego49er

IMO it will be tough for you guys to keep Brees and Colston. The economics of it will just be really tough. Colston probably goes.