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During NFL free agency, most teams are looking to make a big splash and land the big name free agent. However, that has not really been the case with the New Orleans Saints thus far. Sure, the Saints signed cornerback Keenan Lewis, but he was certainly not a big name free agent.

Yesterday, the Saints signed tight end Benjamin Watson, a player that casual fans may have never heard of, but he is a do-it-all tight end that the Saints needed. The Saints have also met with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the biggest prizes to be won this off-season, but there is no word yet on whether he will sign with the Saints or another team.

The Saints have been relatively quiet during this free agency period, but it is actually a very smart approach. Some other moves that the Saints made were to solidify their special teams. The Saints have already re-signed long snapper Justin Drescher, wide receiver Courtney Roby, and linebacker Ramon Humber. For a team trying to get under the salary cap, it is moves like these that matter. Furthermore, the Saints have brought back key players from their special teams and have added overall depth to the team because all three players listed can do more than one thing on the football field.

The Saints aren’t making the “sexy” moves, but they are making the moves that need to be made. Games are not won by individuals but as a team, so just because a team signs a star player does not necessarily mean that the team will fare any better.

The 2011 Philadelphia Eagles are a prime example of what can happen when a team goes after all of the big names. That season the Eagles arguably had the best roster in the NFL, but it did not translate into many wins. Furthermore, these star players were great on their own, but as a team they lacked cohesiveness.

As a Saints’ fan, one should really be in awe at the job general manager Mickey Loomis has done this off-season and his entire tenure with the Saints for that matter. Loomis has brought in the right players and is piecing them together like a jigsaw puzzle. So far the pieces seem to be fitting together nicely and the picture is starting to come together.

Not only has Loomis been making great roster moves, but he has restructured many contracts and currently has the Saints about $5.5 million under the salary cap. The Saints will probably make more moves this off-season and if they can land Asomugha it certainly would not hurt their secondary.

The next step for the Saints will come in April at the 2013 NFL draft and I am sure Loomis and his team have already been doing their homework. The Saints only have five picks in this year’s draft so they will have to use them wisely, but something tells me that the team already has a plan in place. The Saints will continue to make the moves that matter and with that kind of attitude they will only improve in 2013.

Read more at New Orleans Saints are Making Smart Moves this Off-season

foreverfan

I made a move I needed to make this morning.

jnormand

My girlfriend made a move that she and I needed. She dumped my ass a couple days ago. Guess I'm not quite over my ex wife yet.

In other news...I took this week off to constantly get on Blackandgold.com while I fish.

Torfino

I don't like being up against the cap AND having only five picks AMD having old, marginal players making too much $$$. We need to stay young and build talent through the draft so we don't fall off a talent cliff.

I'd like to see us move Vilma, Smith, or Harper for a 4th or 5th so Mickey and Sean can pick some of their good small school sleepers, and we free up Nnamdi and Volmer $$ and we have more money to sign draft picks. Who else could we deal? Ivory for a 3rd/4th, Ingram for a 3rd/4th, Greer for a 4th or 5th if we pick up Nnamdi? We need to get younger, get value, and get more cap room. Otherwise I think they will just be cutting some people in June/July when it's time to sign our draft picks.

Danno

Good post, but I think the only old guys we have are Smith and Vilma, and Vilma is only 32. Thats on the downswing but its not ancient. Ray Lewis played until he was 37. Harper just turned 30 and Greer is 31.

And Asomugha is 32. He'd be adding age to our roster.

We're relatively young at most key positions. An experienced vet sprinkled in here and there is probably a good idea.

As far as cap room goes we restructured a few guys who will now be very easy to cut next year without huge dead money.

We won't need much money at all to sign draft picks since we only have 5, and don't have a 2nd. Four of our 5 picks will be virtually minimum salary guys.

Rugby Saint II

Loomis has been busy even though we haven't necessarily been busy in free agency..............I like what he's doing so far.

Joker

I don't know how you guys feel but from my point of view, I wish they would have parted ways with Will Smith & Johnathon Vilma. Smith IMO just can't get it done and Vilma is not suited for a 3-4 defense, this is why Rex let him go in the first place.
Can anyone tell me if there's any savings in cutting Harper? Bigby is still looking for a job and would come cheap. Have to sign a left tackle to protect the franchise QB.