Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com reports that sources have informed him that impending free agent OT Jermon Bushrod “isn’t a priority for New Orleans.“

Campbell’s source adds that the Saints believe in investing in their interior offensive line versus paying tackles market value contracts. The idea here is to keep the pocket as clean as possible for QB Drew Brees so that he can look to make plays down the field.

This is evident by the fact that they’ve locked up Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans to sizable contracts in the last few years.

Campbell adds that the Saints could extend “a lower offer” to Bushrod in the hopes that he’s willing to take a discount to remain with the team.

There are a number of offensive tackles that should be available in this year’s free agent market, which could have an impact on total dollars being offered to players like Bushrod. The Saints have some cap issues to address, but changing to a 3-4 defensive could allow them to part with some aging veterans that carry large contracts.

We have Bushrod listed as the No. 29 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.

Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Here comes jake long, or mr Albert

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

If Bushrod isn't re-signed, Long and Albert aren't likely.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

B-I-N-G-O

You nailed it...

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Yep, if its not bushrod you can bet its going to be a journeyman type. I still think they try and re-sign him, but if not look for us to bring in someone not much better than Charles Brown, Zack Strief or Marcell Jones.

This has the potential to be a huge mistake.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Agreed, but it could also mean that they would use one of their higher picks in the draft to get an OT or maybe even a trade of some sorts to get the guy they want.

A lot depends on how well they can fill the holes on the defense just from the FA pool, because if they do a good job there, they might able spend one of their higher picks on an offensive player.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

I will miss Bushrod. But that's life.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

BushRod Gets beat all the time ... He's not that great , we could find a 3rd or 4th rounder that was heavily slept on and the fact we pick him up when nobody else did would make him mean. Jake Long is an elite LT Not bushrod.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

long is gonna be lookin for a payday

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

If he’s willing to take a discount to remain with the team. Tell me who takes a discount.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Jake Long used to be an elite LT but injuries has reduced him a whole lot as a player.

I think it would be a mistake to let Bushrod go.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Id keep bushrod and get an OT after weve drafted our defensive players, let them battle for the starting spot

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

in a related story, Drew Brees expresses willingness to renegotiate that 100M
contract.

(not really.... just rhetoric.)

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Who's this guy kidding? Saints don't pay interior linemen market contracts either!

Faine, Goodwin, Nicks.... C'mon man!

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

The Saints can't pay everybody. It's kinda ironic Drew's salary might lead to him getting crushed from his blindside.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Trading down a few spots and drafting an OT that we could have for years seems like an option + we get another pick seems like a win win to me.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

As bushrod goes so does the draft and to a lesser extent FA.

If Bushrod walk and the saints gut the defense deeply then FA is an option but that would be too much to expect, or is it

Draft round 1 OT if not

how much is the tag for an OT this year?

Draft and let that player go to RT to get their feet wet as a starter in the NFL. Then deal with move next year.

Drew must stay upright

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

It'll be about $11M, so there's no way they'll be putting the tag on Bushrod.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

thanks fin. nope spend that kind of money on another FA OT

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

especially after making the Pro Bowl.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

No doubt.

If we can't get Johnson in the draft what do people think of trading back and picking up Barrett Jones.
He can play right across the line and going all out and trading up for Mathews when he comes out next year.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Saw him his whole career. I view him as a jack of all linemen. He's probably not NFL OT material, but will probably play 10-12 years in this league as an above average interior lineman.

If we needed an OG or OC I'd be screaming for this guy.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

They offered Nicks. He was bent on leaving. And as far as the center position goes, our current starter was a journeyman who never saw the field for another team, and now is starting and playing well for the Saints.

The Saints have always done well plugging holes in the line. I'm not overly concerned about it. I'd like to see Bushrod back, but, not at an outrageous price.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Think He will be gone do some magic in the draft and let him go all these players are overpaid Drew also but if you want to keep your top quarterback it is what it is. I think there has to be some sanity also and when these guys get some leverage they sure go for it. Can't say i blame them but I would look at other options if they wont deal.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Bushrod is at the point in his career (29 y/o when the season starts) that he will undoubtedly be looking for a pay-day, because this will probably be his last big contract, so I consider him gone already.

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised when he re-signs with the Saints with a home town discount, but I doubt it.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

That's my point. Tackles aren't the only lineman the Saints aren't committed to over-paying. They've let all of their top FA interior guys walk. And filled the void fairly well.

That being said, it's time to upgrade RT and get some depth at line.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Agreed. Apparently Charles Brown hasn't panned out. Not sure if that's due to injury or not. They actually seem to do better with the draft picks they take in the later rounds.

Re: Saints Willing To Part Ways With OTJermon Bushrod?
 

Next man up. I won't miss his two second protection, but I will miss his down field blocking. That's where he is best.