Papa Voodoo

If we can't get pressure with our front 4 it won't matter who our corners are. We need consistent push up front and that will make the corners we already have look all pro.

jeanpierre

McKelvin may have to have surgery to repair torn groin; and though his return game has been amazing prior to this injury - the Saints would need more than a spot starter at CB to commit limited cap space to him...

But there's no question he's had amazing speed, but what will happen after a groin injury that may require sx?!?

jeanpierre

"Think Fast, Play Fast"

Michael Johnson - SOLD!

jeanpierre

We had another pass rusher from Georgia Tech that worked out pretty good for us...

This guy should be our priority in Free Agency...

papz

I don't think the cap space will be limited at all. There will be a few cuts that we make that will clear a good deal of space... and some restructuring of some deals. If we were to take a look at him(probably not though), he isn't a significant player that would require a sizable contract. His groin injury should also push his value down even further.

Marlboro Man

Man, I hate redoing a post. I was doing one on this and hit the wrong key and deleted the whole thing, but here goes. I'll give it another go.

Guard Jahri Evans, $9.8 million
Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, $8.6 million
Guard Ben Grubbs, $7.3 million
Safety Roman Harper, $7.1 million
Linebacker Curtis Lofton, $7.1 million
Receiver Marques Colston, $6.6 million
Cornerback Jabari Greer, $5.4 million
Receiver Lance Moore, $4.7 million
Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, $4.7 million
Linebacker David Hawthorne, $4.8 million
Linebacker Will Herring, $1.9 million

Of the players on this list, there are some fan favorites. The problem is that these favorites have not given us the kind of play we need to get over the hump in the NFL.

Will Smith. Will is a fan favorite and a good player. Problem is, that he hasn't given us the pass rush we've needed for the last 6 years and he doesn't seem to even care about containment on the edge. He's good in both areas but as you can see, not good enough to get us to the next level. Luckily, we have his replacement already on the team in Junior Galette. Galette has been the only D-Lineman on the team to provide us with consistent pass rush and his run stopping has improved tremendously. He's been with us 3 years now and it's time to move him up to starter. We also have adequate back up for both end spots already on the roster and under contract. Along with this, we will probably also take a serious look at an impact player for this position as well. Cap savings of 10 mil.

Roman Harper. Yes, I have been on Roman's case for 3 years now. In my opinion, he's just not a good safety period. He can't catch, he can't outrun even a QB in the rare times he actually does find the ball in his hands. He doesn't tackle well, he only dive hits which allows way too much YAC, and I can't remember the last time he actually defensed a pass. We've already got his replacement on the team and have seen much, much better play from them, ie. Mack, White, Bush. This is an area that we may not even need to address in the draft. Cap savings, 7.1 mil.

As you can see, only two moves and our 16 mil deficiency is already resolved and in the event we decide to back those plays with draft picks, it only takes 2 picks. In reality though only 1 as I stated that I doubt we need to look @ Safety in the draft unless there's one that's really a standout and needs to be looked at.

Jermon Bushrod. Being a Saints fan, my wish is that every single player we sign or draft turns out to be a great player. Whether or not that means a pro bowler or what not. I have not been a Jermon Bushrod fan. I'm still not a Bushrod fan. I had to laugh out loud when he was selected for the pro bowl. Anyway I'm not here to bash a Saints player, but Bushrod is just not even a good LT, makes way too much money for his production and needs to be replaced. With the play of Brown this year, I'd say we have his replacement on the team already and it's time to get better there. Sorry, don't know Bushrod's cap hit, but additional savings above what we need right there and it's only 3 players. Without going into a long post, I think you get my premise here so I'll just list some other names.

Players we can do without.

Sedric Ellis
Scott Shanle
Will Herring

So as you can see, I've listed only 6 players that will rectify our cap situation and that can be replaced with FA's and draft picks without gutting our team to the point that we can't contend next year.

jeanpierre

By those numbers...

Harper, Vilma, and Smith are gone...

Evans could be a surprise casualty as well...

If Drew's contract is redone whereby he gets his money in bonus instead of base salary, maybe we can add help - otherwise, we're done...

jeanpierre

In any of the free agency deals that we may do this offseason - tackling has to be a cornerstone in the contract...

Because none of out defensive backs seem to want to tackle...

jeanpierre

The money we pay for Will Smith should enable us to get an impact Defensive End like Michael Johnson who's coming into his prime; just don't see Cincinnati paying Johnson...

Question is - how long can we stay in a bidding match for his services?

How important will winning mean to him?

hagan714

i am with paz on him. i was interested till he moved into the first round

drafted way to high. a media and combine hype player.

BUT i would take him for the right price. put him in the slot and let him play off the line. nickle and dime type of cb

here is his draft write up

NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles - Leodis McKelvin