Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

The free-agent signing period begins March 12, less than three weeks from now. And the Saints have long been ardent believers that you fill your needs in free agency so you can focus on the best players available in the draft.

The Saints aren't expected to be major players in free agency because of their lack of salary-cap space. But they won't sit on their hands either - especially while they're aiming to revamp their defense under new coordinator Rob Ryan and a new 3-4 system.

The Saints' top 5 defensive fixes and the free agents who can help | NOLA.com

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

I was high on Spencer coming to NO, but if Ryan could make him a star in Dallas, why couldn't he do the same with Wilson and Gallette?

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

That was a pretty interesting article... I really enjoyed it! The Victor Butler scenario seems incredibly likely. God I can't wait until after free agency and the draft so our defense will start to take more shape instead of speculation. I'm excited about the change to a 3-4 and the potential starting line-up!

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

there seems to be a ridiculous amount of talent available in FA this year. I'm quite excited and I love the optimism in this post/article.

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

We have a bucket load of "developmental" players. I'd say if we can't get some fairly certain things out of FA, let's just save our money. I can't wait until after the FA and the draft so we can argue about it!

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

OK, I think I may have the answer based on past results...

1. OUTSIDE LINEBACKERSTwo intriguing younger players who should come at a cheaper price are the Cowboys' Victor Butler, who has shown some pass-rush ability as a backup, and San Diego Chargers situational pass rusher Antwan Barnes.

2. DEFENSIVE END
San Diego's Vaughn Martin, the Oakland Raiders' Desmond Bryant and the Washington Redskins' Kedric Golston were also mentioned as potential bargains.

3. NOSE TACKLE
The Saints probably won't be interested in bringing back Aubrayo Franklin from the San Diego Chargers, though he has proven to be more effective in 3-4 defenses than he was in the Saints' 4-3 in 2011.

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

Now if we pick up some more ex-Chargers and they excel with us, do you think their owner will start eating the furniture? Or, will he be too busy looking under it to see where Norv's gone?

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

You know, it's kind of interesting how the past few years we've gotten players that are perfectly suited to run the 3-4 at a time when we ran the 4-3... I kind of have to wonder why the hell it took so long to make the transition to a 3-4. I'm just talking about signing huge run stuffing DT's like Aubrayo Franklin, Shaun Rogers, Broderick Bunkley... Then drafting Cameron Jordan. Last offseason we signed two of the highest ranked MLB's in free agency (Lofton and Hawthorne.) Seems like we've been acquiring players fit for the 3-4 defense lately and end up getting dissapointed when they don't fit.

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

Brad Jones or Larry Grant would both be nice signings for the other ILB position if they decide to use Hawthorne elsewhere (or even get rid off him) or just to add to the rotation in the middle of the LB corps.

And I still like Chris Canty a lot if he's healthy and affordable.

Re: Top 5 Defensive Fixes - Free Agents Who Can Help
 

Free agent? We can't afford who we have now!