Five teams hurt most in free agency

3. New Orleans Saints

Forget the off-the-field problems -- the Saints have been weakened by significant free-agency losses and salary-cap challenges, and they have a proud quarterback who is incensed that he has the franchise tag instead of a long-term contract. They lost their best offensive lineman, guard Carl Nicks, to Tampa Bay, but they replaced him with a quality player, Ben Grubbs from Baltimore. They re-signed receiver Marques Colston but lost Robert Meachem to San Diego. Their defensive leader, cornerback Tracy Porter, has moved on to Denver. The Saints signed two solid defensive players in Curtis Lofton and Brodrick Bunkley, but in the wake of the bounty scandal, New Orleans likely will look at some defensive suspensions in 2012. This is not an offseason the Saints will remember fondly.