lee909

What about
OLB Daryl Smith from the Jags.
He only played twice last year due to injury but if he has recovered he should`nt cost too much at his age and coming off a injury.He could help next year and would let us target some of the other needs.

Terrance Knighton (JAC) Nose Tackle


Israel Idonije (CHI) - DT -
Idonije signed a 1 year, $2.5 million deal to remain with the Bears after a disappointing 5-sack season. With the Bears he's been asked to play more at defensive end, but he's a pass-rusher that can get home from the outside or inside. He seems to love playing for the Bears, but with the infusion of talent on the defensive line, he could probably see more playing time elsewhere.


Sean Smith (MIA) - After trading another up-and-coming corner and former first round pick in Vontae Davis, the Dolphins showed confidence and placed a lot of stock in their long corner Sean Smith. If there's anything his career has shown so far, it's been inconsistency. If Smith gets everything to click for an entire season, he surely has Pro Bowl capability. Miami seems almost a lock to retain Smith, but the quality and consistency of his 2012 season will go a long way in determining the size and length of his contract.

Quentin Jammer (SD) - For the past 7+ years, Quentin Jammer has been among the most underrated defensive backs in the league. As one of the most consistent cover corners, he's hardly gotten so much as a Pro Bowl mention to his name. Now with a contract expiring, Jammer will be 34 as the 2013 season begins. He's signed his last big contract, but despite struggling a bit last year, there is still quality play in front of Jammer.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (PHI) - After trading for him in the infamous Kevin Kolb trade (which is now being re-evaluated), the Eagles traded their Pro Bowl corner Asante Samuel, propelling DRC into a start boundary corner position. He has the length and speed to challenge top receivers downfield, but has struggled consistently covering more polished receivers. He's hardly a top flight corner, but he's the only starting corner the Eagles have opposite Nnamdi Asomugha.


Dashon Goldson (SF) - Goldson had the best season of his career for the opportunistic 49ers defense. Reeling in 6 interceptions and a fumble recovery of his own, Goldson not only provided the Niners with much needed turnovers, but helped prevent big plays in the backend with strong discipline. With the amount of volatility and up-and-down play at the safety position in the league, it's hard to fault the Niners for not coming to some sort of compromise after last year. However, with Goldson coming strong out of the gates again, it seems that's he'll earn an extension after this year.

LaRon Landry (WAS) - Signing a 1 year, $3.5 million deal with the Jets coming off an Achilles injury, Landry received the quintessential "prove it" contract. Now losing Darrelle Revis to injury, the Jets safeties will again be truly tested and Landry will have to help hold the secondary together. If he can make it through the year in the good graces of the team, he'll be in position to earn a bigger payday. Still, with his history of injury and inconsistency, another long-term lucrative payday does not appear to be forthcoming from New York or anywhere else.

Jairus Byrd (BUF) - After a rookie season littered with fortunate passes thrown directly his way, Byrd's interception totals have normalized. Whereas the interceptions are no longer coming in bunches, Byrd has improved his game in other areas to become one of the league's better safeties. With great range and anticipatory skills in center field, Byrd is reliable free safety capable of forcing quarterbacks to hold the ball and double check his position on the field before throwing the deep ball. In a pass-heavy league, one of the best young safeties in the game should be high on the Bills' priority list this season.

"Two receivers to the left, Garcon to the right. Manning in the shotgun, puts Collie in motion. Looks in his direction...it's picked off! It's picked off! It's Tracy Porter again! He's runnin' free! He's gonna go all the way!

FinSaint

Out of your list, Byrd is someone I'd sign in a heartbeat, but I just can't see Buffalo not retaining him, and if he hits the open market I'm afraid the Saints might not have the chips to enter the bidding war.

Other than him, I'd take a stab at R-C if he became available simply based on his size alone, and I think he might do well in a zone scheme, but again I think the Eagles are going to re-sign him or someone else is going to offer him big money.

jeanpierre

GM Loomis should already be announcing some contract renegotiations if we are going to have any chips to bid in free agency...

I don't think it'll be as bad as it seems now - but we don't have much wiggle-room here...

FinSaint

I'd be over the moon even if they "only" got Michael Johnson out of Cincy, because it would allow the Saints to maybe use their 1st rounder to get an LT, but he might be out of the Saints' price-range.

And like you've already said, Melton and/or Knighton could provide depth and strength at the DT position, and best of all maybe even fairly cheaply. Well, maybe not Melton, but a lot depends on what they are going to do in Chicago under the new HC, whoever he might end up being, and how that affects their defensive lay-out. Knighton would be a good guy to have around for running downs, but my understanding is that he is not that good at creating interior push... I could be misinformed.

And Dorsey might be another prospect for DT depth, but I have my doubts whether he would be a good fit with the Saints and Spags' system - he might end up being another Shaun Rogers.

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

jeanpierre

Galette best days were in college...

jeanpierre

If we stay in a 4-3, this would be the current priority list for da Saints...

(1) DE Michael Johnson; Glenn Dorsey - Speed, Youth, Fire is what we need; Johnson would be the impact player more than any other for the Saints - only question would be could he handle the pressure to perform? Dorsey would be back home where he would be happier playing for the home folks which is in his value set...

(2) OT Brandon Albert; Jake Long; Andre Smith - any of these would be significant upgrades and don't think it'll be lost on them to factor their jobs would be easier having Brees as a QB and their contribution to a Winning Program with Payton back...

(3) OC Brian De La Puente(rfa) - restricted, but important to maintain continuity in the OL...

(4) DT Henry Melton - this is the only upgrade I can see if we allow Hicks to continue to develop; I felt when Ellis was out that we have very good tackle play between Bunkley and Hicks with Johnston rotating; Melton would take it up a notch but would we have enough left after signing the aforementioned?!?

(5) OLB Daryl Smith - Only upgrade I can see as we've got Chamberlain, Herring, Casillas under contract; Smith has at least two-three good years left and is the best at the Will...

(6) SF Jairius Byrd; Kenny Phillips; Matt Giorlando - Byrd is not going to happen, but I list him anyways; Phillips does have the injury bug - but he's a hitter which the back end is missing; Giorlando would be the an under radar surprise signing who just needs to get in a better situation than Oakland...

(7) WR Danario Alexander(rfa) - Really Like what we have, plus the Toon Kid coming back after a year to get stronger, but Alexander would be a beast in our offense - really rendering us unstoppable and that's why I have him listed...

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

jeanpierre

Oh, and we might want to extend Jimmy Graham...

FinSaint

Agreed JP.


BTW, Casillas is not under contract, but an UFA. He only signed the 1-year RFA tender last offseason.

saintsfan1976

What about Starks - DT from the Dolphins? Could be a solid veteran for Johnson and Hicks to learn from

Crusader

Didn't we have Matt Giordano on our roster at a time or am I just misremembering?