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Yeah that's awesome news!!

FinSaint

DT! Don't forget about the DT. There are so many good DT prospects in this year's draft that it would be insane not to pick at least one, preferable two young DTs. Did I mention they need DTs? Oh, and for heaven's sake, pick a DT!

RaginCajun83

Finally Scott Shanle gets cut, there is no way he beats out this talent at LB that Loomis has put together, we've had to take it for 6 years but I can't wait to hear the news

biloxi-indian

April 03, 2012 4:25 p.m. - by Larry Holder

"With the Saints bringing in three new potential starting LBs (Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain), the holdovers from last season's LB corps may not be holdovers for long. Veteran LBs like Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle and Will Herring could potentially be on the chopping block as New Orleans currently has 11 LBs on the roster."

RockyMountainSaint

David Hawthorne signs with Saints | ProFootballTalk
The Saints linebacking corps is going to look very different next season.

They signed Curtis Lofton earlier this month and now comes word that they have signed former Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne as well. The team announced that it is a five-year deal via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. No financial details have been announced.

Hawthorne has started 41 games for the Seahawks over the last three years and finished with more than 100 tackles in all three seasons. He got his first shot in the starting lineup after an injury to Lofa Tatupu in 2009 and did good work inside for the Seahawks, including a career-high three interceptions last season. He first joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2008.

Where he fits with the Saints remains to be seen. Lofton projects to be their starting middle linebacker, but there are certainly openings at the other spots with Jo-Lonn Dunbar signing in St. Louis and no one else really distinguishing themselves last season.

Hawthorne’s arrival makes it seem like the Saints are preparing for life without Jonathan Vilma. Whether that’s because he’s suspended as a result of the bounty investigation or not, Vilma’s days in New Orleans seem numbered.

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AsylumGuido

I'm loving the way this is going. To hell with Goodell. The Saints are going to dominate the NFC South once again.

RaginCajun83

Sure these signings are to cover while Vilma is suspended but Loomis has said that Vilma isn't going anywhere so maybe they got him to restructure as well and come back after he pays his time

KevSears

Dome Patrol.....the rebirth! Thats all I gotta say.......!

dueceloose

Even though Drew Brees being signed is the only news I'm waiting for.. this makes my day. Found out about this from the Saints Facebook Page. "In Loomis We Trust!"

FinSaint

Vilma doesn't necessarily have play at MLB nor do either Lofton or Hawthorne, so I don't think that this is a signal that Vilma will be gone.

If Vilma is healthy and able to play, he is a definite starter, but he'll have to restructure if he is not suspended for the year.

The LB corps will be a lot better than what it has been, but it won't be elite in terms of the league, so lets not get carried away.