jeanpierre

Giordano just needed playing time to get better...

Albert would be an upgrade over Bushrod...

Chamberlain was brought in to be a utility back/OLB Backup, bridge to the Spagnuolo system, and special teams anchor...

Jones is a couple of years away...

jeanpierre

Top Ten FA List:

01 LT Jake Long - we've got so much tied up in Brees can't see not insuring that investment; Bushrod and his agent seem to think Bushrod is an elite tackle and not of it has to do with the Payton/Brees quick tempo/release offense; ask Tampa Bay > it's rainbows and lollipops since signing Nicks...

02 OC Brian De La Puente - (No Change) the center position is one of the most sacred to a football offense and though subtle, can affect the entire chemistry of that unit; De La Puente may be signed late, but should be given a priority so there is no uncertainty lingering long into the offseason...

03 FS Jarius Byrd - (No Change) we're not going to find an entire front seven in FA and the draft, but the biggest reason why the Saints had, historically, the worst defense in the NFL was because of YAC where the Saints were the worse; Darren Sharper was the last great safety the Saints have had and Byrd compares favorably to Sharper...

04 DE Michael Johnson - (No Change) an up and coming Defensive End who's been taught the game by one of the best in Marvin Lewis; he's got prototypical size, speed which is non-existent at the Starting Right Defensive End position...

05 DT Henry Melton - (No Change) one of the fastest defensive tackles in the box and still very young, but with commitments to Bunkley and the promise of Hicks, can we afford him?

06 LB Daryl Smith - (No Change) an impact upgrade at a position that's had vanilla level talent, Smith still has a good three years and could allow for a new player to develop at the WILL...


07 RT Andre Smith - (No Change) his talent is as immense as his girth which has been his fatal flaw, he would thrive under the guidance of the Saints Locker Room but will his appetite extend to his salary demands? and would he hinder the best screen play in the game?!?

08 LB Erin Henderson - (No Change) his off-field behaviour seemingly behind him which may make him affordable, his talent could be enough to complement a Saints defense for four more seasons. But would he be a distraction?

09 SS Matt Giorlando - (No Change) Gregg Williams is the gift that keeps giving; we had him and we did not see to develop him - nor any defensive backs for the Saints under Williams and now Spagnulo which begs the question - Why do we draft cornerbacks in the first round if we are only going to berrate them and sit them for the first season or two?!? Giorlando would be an affordable Strong Safety who can tackle and cover better than what we've paid Harper to do...

10 WR Julian Edelman - (No Change) with so little money seemingly available, it may be that we only sign three to four free agents so it makes sense to sign a guy that has played wide receiver, cornerback, special teams, et al; and our special teams needs upgrades starting with the Spec Teams Coordinator and this guy would be a good starting block for a new Special Teams Coach...

If we managed four-five from this list and get under the cap - it'd be ecstatic shack in the Dome on Sundays...

Realistic/Possible and Best Hope would be Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

Top Ten FA List [Updated]

01 LT Jermon Bushrod
02 OC Brian De La Puente
03 FS Jarius Byrd
04 OLB Brad Jones
05 NT Chris Baker
06 LB Paul Kruger
07 RT Andre Smith
08 NT Aubrayo Franklin
09 SS Kenny Phillips
10 WR Julian Edelman

SloMotion

#8, Aubrayo Franklin makes more sense to me now & I still like #10, Julian Edelman.

Crusader

Jarius Byrd would have been a nice pick-up.

Just read that Jake Long is looking to get $10 mil per year. That wouldn't happen in NO imho.

jeanpierre

Top Ten FA List [Updated - 01/30/2013]

01 LT Jermon Bushrod
02 OC Brian De La Puente
03 FS Jarius Byrd
04 OLB Brad Jones
05 NT Chris Baker
06 SS Kenny Phillips
07 RT Andre Smith
08 NT Aubrayo Franklin
09 LB Paul Kruger
10 WR Julian Edelman

SloMotion

The two targets I like best are #2 & #10. I'm assuming De la Puente will be signed and I think you're spot on with the Julian Edelman (WR) target. He's the kind of guy who will give you a lot bang for the buck and would do well in New Orleans.

FinSaint

I think that #2 is a given, so I won't even debate about that.

But other than that, I think #3 and #5 would be awesome additions who'd immediately make the defense better both on the front- and backside.

I don't think the Vikes are going to let Henderson go, and more importantly I don't think he wants to leave, so IMO he's not even an option.

jeanpierre

Saints Free Agents (Replacement Candidate)

Sedrick Ellis, DT (Henry Melton, DT CHI)
Turk McBride, DE (Greg Romeus, DE NO/IR)
Jonathan Casillas, LB (Chris Chamberlain, LB NO/IR)
Ramon Humber, LB (No Change/Better Draftee)
Scott Shanle, LB (Daryl Smith, LB JAX)
Junion Gallette, DL - RFA (Will Allow to Leave for Draft Pick)
Rafael Bush, DB (No Change/Better Draftee)
Elbert Mack (DB) (Marquis Johnson, NO/IR)

Jermon Bushrod, (Branden Albert, OT KC)
Brian DeLaPuente, C- RFA (Tendered; Will Allow to Leave for Draft Pick)
Eric Olsen, OL - (No Changed, Tendered)
Justin Drescher (Marcel Jones, OL NO/IR)
Chase Daniel (No Changed, Tendered)
Chris Ivory (Tendered; Will Allow to Leave for Draft Pick)
Courtney Roby, WR (Julian Edelman, WR NE)

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

Michael Johnson has a higher ceiling and is affordable...