Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I'm really hoping Peat takes over for Strief(not that I don't like Strief in a back-up roll) allowing us to grab a G in the draft to take Evans spot. If not we have 2 spots to fill on the O line alone.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Yeah I think we will probably pick up a OL in free agency and draft a couple more. We need to get some better depth.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I think some of the bigger names are off the table for us due to the cap.

Here is my list of guys I would be taking a strong look at by positional needs we have:

Offensive Line:
J.R. Sweezy - Seattle - like his tenacity and has gotten better over the year
Ron Leary - Dallas - he's pushed out of their starting rotation and may not want to be a backup. He's decent but was he made better by surrounding talent?

Wide Receiver:
Chris Hogan - Buffalo - tall target with decent hands.
Ricardo Lockette - Seattle - odd man out and I always thought he had good versatility and explosiveness
Rishard Matthews - Miami - a very decent 3-4 receiver. Has upside.

Defensive Line:
Vinny Curry - Philadelphia - goot rotational guy
Malik Jackson - Denver - gotten better as the season has gone on and has upside still
Olivier Vernon - Miami - great bookend rusher opposite Jordan. He got better when Wake went out which impressed me. Would be a higher price though. Pass rushers are hard to find.

Linebacker:
Bruce Irvin - Seattle - more than I would want to spend but this guy is explosive and a splash player who can do it all.
Brandon Marshall - Denver - will be overshadowed by Travathan in free agency and may slip under the radar.

Special Teams:
Greg Zuerlein - St. Louis - would be an upgrade at Kicker and has a big leg to keep kick off duties unlike most kickers we have had.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I like a few guys you listed. Jackson could help out and Marshall. Vernon played well enough to get more money and possibly could want a good payday.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I think SP and the front office will opt for "cheaper" FA's vets to fill holes and ensure we are competent at each position going into the draft before you see another huge FA contract :rolleyes:. Expect mid tier players signed at best. The Saints simply don't have money to spend.

Here is a name I haven't seen .. Mark Barron. I think he would be an intriguing player. He can be the WLB and also the in the box safety & has a nose for the ball.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Vernon is going to be extremely expensive after having as good a second half as anyone in the league...

My preference is for Trevathan, but if Marshall is there, that wouldn't be a bad pickup...

Do we really want any of the Cowboys castoffs?!?

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

NFL Free Agents Tracker 2016 - WalterFootball.com

Alex Boone, G, 49ers. Age: 29
Alex Boone is coming off a down year, but which Niner isn't? Boone is one of the better interior linemen in the NFL, and he'll be only 29 in May, so he still has at least four years of high productivity remaining.

Jeff Allen, G, Chiefs. Age: 26
It was absolutely ridiculous that Andy Reid didn't use Jeff Allen in the first half of the season. It was completely unprofessional on his part. Allen is one of the better guards in the NFL.

Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Jets. Age: 27
It says a lot when you break your leg and still happen to be one of the top free agents on the market. Muhammad Wilkerson sustained the injury in the season finale, and he was missed on the field. He's one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL.

Damon Harrison, NT, Jets. Age: 27
Damon "Snacks" Harrison is one of the top run-stuffers in the NFL. He doesn't get much pressure on the quarterback, but that's not what he's asked to do. The Jets were extremely difficult to run against because of Snacks.

Brandon Marshall, ILB, Broncos. Age: 26
Brandon Marshall thrived playing inside linebacker in Wade Phillips' scheme, though he was great before that as well. Marshall could be better in coverage, but he's terrific otherwise. He's just 27 in early September, so he's going to be great for a while.

Danny Trevathan, ILB, Broncos. Age: 26
Danny Trevathan didn't play all three downs most of the time this season, but only because Brandon Marshall is so great. Trevathan could have easily done this, as he had a great season in Wade Phillips' system.




Read more at WalterFootball.com: 2016 NFL Free Agents - Guards

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Tackle:
Cordy Glenn 26 (Bills) or
Mitchell Schwartz 26 (Browns)

Peat in backup role.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Serious? You don't think Peat was ready to take over for Strief, and be effective?

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

No. If he improves, great. We will have good depth then...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

After getting burned the last 2 years in trying to land "expensive" free agents, can't believe I'm saying this but it might be time to go back to the old way of doing things with the Saints. Find mid-range to cheap free agents that might not have all the talent in the world but have the fire and passion to go out there and lay it all on the line come Sunday. Guys like Shanle, Hargrove, Ayodele and McCray. Guys who had something to prove

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

[QUOTE=jeanpierre;689164]
Then there are the Saints free agents and what should be free agents for 2016...

Rafael Bush FS 28 NO TBD $1,950,000 UFA

Benjamin Watson TE 35 NO TBD $1,900,000 UFA

Kevin Williams DT 35 NO TBD $1,500,000 UFA

Michael Hoomanawanui TE 27 NO TBD $940,074 UFA

Anthony Spencer OLB 31 NO TBD $665,000 UFA

Luke McCown QB 34 NO TBD $665,000 UFA

Kyle Wilson CB 28 NO TBD $665,000 UFA

Jamarca Sanford SS 30 NO TBD $665,000 UFA

Josh Hill TE 25 NO TBD $586,668 RFA

Tim Lelito G 26 NO TBD $586,668 RFA

Senio Kelemete G 25 NO TBD $585,000 RFA

Mike McGlynn G 30 NO TBD $550,588 UFA

Khiry Robinson RB 26 NO TBD $459,863 RFA

Tony Hills LT 31 NO TBD $447,352 UFA

Kai Forbath K 28 NO TBD $427,058 UFA

Lawrence Virgil DE 24 NO TBD $333,000 ERFA

Austin Brown DT 24 NO TBD $318,000 ERFA

Tim Hightower RB 29 NO TBD $309,705 UFA

James Anderson OLB 32 NO TBD $275,294 UFA

Matt Flynn QB 30 NO TBD $275,294 UFA

Christopher Owens CB 29 NO TBD $206,470 UFA

Austin Johnson FB 26 NO TBD $120,000 RFA

Kendall Hunter RB 27 NO TBD $116,470 UFA

Travaris Cadet RB 26 NO TBD $77,647 UFA

Ryan Seymour G 25 NO TBD $68,823 RFA

And then there are obvious moves that will need to be dealt with in regards to CB Brandon Browner, FS Jairus Byrd and RB C J Spiller...

And there are at least three players who's age and physical ability have arrived at the proverbial cliff and have fallen off:

QUOTE]
I really do not see a lot of resignings. Johnson, Cadet, Lelito, Kelemete, Hoomanawanui, Watson, Wilson, Forbath, Hightower and possibly Hill. That's about 9.5 million in 10 players. That would keep o-line depth and depth at TE behind Watson. Byrd, Spiller and Browner is going no where because of the cap hit. Evans needs to go and Colston must cut his pay in half to stay. I'm sure Brees will fix his contract by adding 2 years. Biggest need is O/D- line for sure. DB's will be fine with a pass rush. No big names need to be brought in. Pats have been fine with 2nd tier guys for years.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Fairley would be worth a look but he disappeared when Suh left. Quick is trash. That "hands up" BS he with the other Ram WR's pulled is enough for me to say no. The last thing the Saints need is another head case.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Rueben Randle-WR
Terrance Knighton-DT
Willie Colon-OG
Mike Neal-OLB

Those would be cheaper and better options then what we have now.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Muhammad Wilkerson - New York Jets - 2016 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

The Jets expect RE Muhammad Wilkerson (broken fibula) to be ready for training camp, but are leaving open the possibility that he could be placed on the active/PUP list.
Wilkerson is technically a free agent, but ESPN New York reports there's "virtually no chance" he reaches the open market. GM Mike Maccagnan has already said he's open to using the franchise tag. The wide expectation is that he will do so. Jan 14 - 7:58 PM

The fact he's damaged makes me think that Loomis will want him even more [sarcasm]

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Broncos sign Derek Wolfe to four-year extension | ProFootballTalk

Take another great defensive lineman off the wish list...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Wow.

Can they also pay Miller, Marshall, Trevathan, Malik Jackson?

C'mon Elway, it's not fair. Let Marshall or Trevathan hit free agency. lol

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Exactly, same with New York...

Must sign NT Damon Harrison, bringing him home (New Iberia, LA)...

And get either Broncos LB Brandon Marshall or Danny Trevathan...

and you'd have a defense good enough to match the offense...

Get Cam Jordan to seal off the edge and quit running upfield with his head in the air...

...then you'd have a top 10 defense...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

This guy is the ultimate run stuffer. I don't think he'll come cheap.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

No, but affordable and his impact would be undeniable...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

So you're saying; we drafted a 1st round lineman to serve in a backup role? :rolleyes:

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

This would never happen. Strief is going no where and Peat is the future at RT. Why waste money when you hve the players in place? We don't have the cap room for luxury signings. If any position is looked at on the o-line it would be Guard. Evans is disapointing and Lelito ans Kelemete are FA's.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Peat must play. there is no two ways about it. I bought him dance lesson at Aurthur Murries and paid the instructor to teach him to dance to the right

Will the saints pull the money out for NT Damon Harrison? he will become the hottest DT on the market if the jets do not sign him. Huge upgrade but the price tag will sky rocket based on one huge fact: the guy does not come off the field. For a man of that size to play so many snaps and keep his level of play so high for an entire season, year in and year out is a rare thing to find. That to me says he should be one of the top 5 DL prizes in FA. If he is not and the saints did not go after him I would be very disappointed, yet again, in FA dollars spent.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

We don't have a shot at Wilkerson, nor does anyone else. The jets GM has already made it clear they are willing to use the franchise tag if they can't work out a deal.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I stand corrected NT Damon Harrison was the one i was talking about. Stuck in Boston I have watched this space eater play for years and I hold him in highest of regards. The guy is amazing. Geno Atkins money is not far fetched

Geno Atkins signed a 5 year, $53,327,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including a $15,000,000 signing bonus, $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,665,400.

Money the saint just do not have. But if the saints did and sold out a bunch of players I actually would understand it. Unlike Byrd who still needs help to reap the rewards of his play Harrison alone will change the the DL for years to come.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Lot of money for a guy to come in and change schemes with and unproven DC and Johnson running the D line. I love Harrison but Allen as DC is still a long shot in big games to get it done.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Pay cut or get another one!

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Full list of Free Agents and I bolded the ones that I think we should sign:

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Sam Bradford
Brock Osweiler
Chase Daniel
Matt Moore
Tarvaris Jackson
Chad Henne
Matt Schaub
Brandon Weeden
Jimmy Clausen
Colt McCoy
Matt Hasselbeck
Drew Stanton
Dan Orlovsky
Bruce Gradkowski
Charlie Whitehurst
T.J. Yates
Matt Cassel
Luke McCown
Scott Tolzien
Michael Vick
Matt Flynn Re-Sign
Kellen Clemens
Josh Freeman

Let McCown go and let the backups start to prepare for life without Drew.

Running Backs

Matt Forte
Doug Martin
Lamar Miller
Chris Ivory
James Starks
Chris Johnson
Alfred Morris
LeGarrette Blount
Ronnie Hillman
Tim Hightower Re-sign
Bilal Powell
Ahmad Bradshaw
Chris Polk
Bobby Rainey
Stevan Ridley
Pierre Thomas
Lance Dunbar
Shaun Draughn
Robert Turbin
Bryce Brown
Matt Asiata
Reggie Bush
Dan Herron
DuJuan Harris
Travaris Cadet
Jordan Todman
Fred Jackson
Steven Jackson
Kendall Hunter
Jacquizz Rodgers
Bernard Pierce

OK at running back with the 2 Re-Signs Ingram, Spiller and Hunter

Fullbacks

Mike Tolbert
John Kuhn
Darrel Young
Cory Harkey
Will Johnson
Will Tukuafu
Tyler Clutts

OK at Fullback

Wide Receivers

Alshon Jeffery
Travis Benjamin
Marvin Jones
Anquan Boldin
Rishard Matthews
Rueben Randle
James Jones
Brian Quick
Mohamed Sanu
Percy Harvin
Andre Holmes
Jermaine Kearse
Nate Washington
Leonard Hankerson
Marc Mariani
Lance Moore
Terrelle Pryor
Hakeem Nicks
Rod Streater
Jordan Norwood
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Keshawn Martin
Chris Givens
Wes Welker
Andre Caldwell
David Nelson
Bryan Walters
Seyi Ajirotutu
Jason Avant
Ricardo Lockette
Nick Toon
Brandon Gibson
Brandon Tate
Jacoby Jones

Release Colston. Save Money. Pick up Mathews and Sanu

Tight Ends

Antonio Gates
Ladarius Green
Dwayne Allen
Vernon Davis
Coby Fleener
Ben Watson Re-Sign
Zach Miller
Marcedes Lewis
Craig Stevens
Clay Harbor
Jermaine Gresham
James Hanna
Logan Paulsen
Daniel Fells
Garrett Celek
Tony Moeaki
Rhett Ellison
Michael Hoomanawanui Re-Sign
Rob Housler
David Johnson
Kellen Davis
Anthony McCoy
John Phillips
Chase Coffman
Dorin Dickerson

OK at Tight End

Offensive Tackles

Cordy Glenn
Russell Okung
Donald Penn
Kelvin Beachum
Andre Smith
Mitchell Schwartz
Joseph Barksdale
Bobby Massie
Chris Clark
Ryan Harris
Donald Stephenson
Byron Bell
Jordan Mills
Chris Hairston
Sam Young
Jake Long
Don Barclay
Byron Stingily
Mike Adams
Jason Fox
Bradley Sowell
J'Marcus Webb
Bryce Harris
Jeff Linkenbach
Tyler Polumbus
Eric Winston
Khalif Barnes
Charles Brown
Ben Ijalana

Get the best Left Tackle in the first round and the best Right Tackle in the third round of the draft.

Interior Offensive Linemen

Alex Mack
Kelechi Osemele
Alex Boone
Jeff Allen
Richie Incognito
Brandon Brooks
Ramon Foster
Evan Mathis
Ben Jones
Stefen Wisniewski
Ryan Wendell
Mike Harris
J.R. Sweezy
Chris Chester
Manuel Ramirez
Lyle Sendlein
Amini Silatolu
Will Montgomery
Lance Louis
Ted Larsen
Willie Colon
Tony Bergstrom
Josh LeRibeus
J.D. Walton
Tim Barnes
Mackenzy Bernadeau
Chris Scott
Dallas Reynolds
Mike McGlynn
Vlad Ducasse
Fernando Velasco
Shelley Smith
Brandon Mosley
Doug Legursky
Gino Gradkowski
Johnnie Troutman
Joe Looney
Jamon Meredith

OK at Guard

Defensive Linemen

Muhammad Wilkerson
Malik Jackson
Ian Williams
Nick Fairley
Derek Wolfe (Re-signed 4-year, $36.7M deal with DEN)
Jaye Howard
Damon Harrison
Haloti Ngata
Terrance Knighton
Cedric Thornton
Vinny Curry
Robert Ayers
Brandon Mebane
Adrian Clayborn
Akiem Hicks
Steve McLendon
B.J. Raji
Jason Jones
Tyrunn Walker
Justin Tuck
Mike DeVito
Henry Melton
Kevin Williams
Al Woods
Letroy Guion
Antonio Smith
Jared Crick
Kendall Reyes
Ahtyba Rubin
Cullen Jenkins
Sammie Lee Hill
Leger Douzable
Billy Winn
Kyle Love
Kedric Golston
Alex Carrington
Pat Sims
Brandon Thompson
Mitch Unrein
Red Bryant
Tony McDaniel
Cam Thomas
Kenrick Ellis
Corey Wootton
Jarvis Jenkins
Stephen Bowen
Greg Scruggs
Ricardo Mathews
Mike Martin
Jermelle Cudjo
Da'Quan Bowers
Barry Cofield
Demarcus Dobbs
Jack Crawford
Clifton Geathers

Pick up Knighton and Draft best Defensive Tackle in the 2nd round.

Edge Defenders

Von Miller
Jason Pierre-Paul
Olivier Vernon
Greg Hardy
Aldon Smith
Tamba Hali
Bruce Irvin
William Hayes
Nick Perry
Courtney Upshaw
Dwight Freeney
Kroy Biermann
Wallace Gilberry
Mike Neal
Junior Galette
Darryl Tapp
Jeremy Mincey
Derrick Shelby
Andre Branch
Eugene Sims
Sam Acho
LaMarr Woodley
Calvin Pace
Albert McClellan
Justin Trattou
Frank Zombo
Chris Carter
Larry English
Frank Alexander
Anthony Spencer
George Selvie

Sign Miller and Paul. Draft 1 in the later rounds.

Inside Linebackers

Jerrell Freeman
Danny Trevathan
Derrick Johnson
Craig Robertson
Rolando McClain
Erin Henderson
Demario Davis
Mason Foster
Sean Spence
Shea McClellin
Jasper Brinkley
Keenan Robinson
Audie Cole
Joe Mays
Dane Fletcher
Kelvin Sheppard
Jamari Lattimore
Tank Carder
Casey Matthews

OK at Middle Linebacker

4-3 Outside Linebackers

Zach Brown
Mark Barron
Tahir Whitehead
Vincent Rey
Emmanuel Lamur
Chad Greenway
Nigel Bradham
Sean Weatherspoon
Kyle Wilber
Spencer Paysinger
Jason Trusnik
Travis Lewis
Philip Wheeler
Michael Morgan

OK at 4-3 Linebackers. Draft 1 in the later rounds.

Cornerbacks

Josh Norman
Janoris Jenkins
Prince Amukamara
Casey Hayward
Sean Smith
Pacman Jones
Trumaine Johnson
Patrick Robinson
Brandon Boykin
Leon Hall
Jerraud Powers
Tracy Porter
Terence Newman
Greg Toler
Jeremy Lane
Will Blackmon
Coty Sensabaugh
Charles Tillman
William Gay
Tarell Brown
Trumaine McBride
Josh Robinson
Morris Claiborne
Shareece Wright
Ron Brooks
Nolan Carroll
Antwon Blake
Sterling Moore
E.J. Biggers
Marcus Sherels
Darrin Walls
Cary Williams
Kyle Wilson Re-Sign
Cortland Finnegan
Johnson Bademosi
Jamell Fleming
Corey White
Alan Ball
Josh Wilson
Jayron Hosley
Mike Jenkins
Cassius Vaughn
Sherrick McManis
Brandon Harris

Release Browner. Save Money. Pick up serviceable backup or 2

Safeties

Eric Berry
Eric Weddle
Reggie Nelson
Tashaun Gipson
George Iloka
Rashad Johnson
Charles Woodson
Rodney McLeod
Walter Thurmond III
Tyvon Branch
Roman Harper
Husain Abdullah
Andrew Sendejo
Isa Abdul-Quddus
James Ihedigbo
Rafael Bush Re-Sign
Dwight Lowery
David Bruton
Chris Clemons
Will Allen
Keith Tandy
Tavon Wilson
Robert Blanton
Louis Delmas
Brandon Meriweather
Omar Bolden
Quintin Demps
Antonio Allen
Ryan Mundy
Nate Ebner
Larry Asante
Sean Richardson
Jaiquawn Jarrett
Colt Anderson
Chris Conte
Taylor Mays
Sherrod Martin
Charles Godfrey
Jamarca Sanford Re-Sign
Shiloh Keo
Robert Golden
Craig Dahl
Brandian Ross
Chris Prosinski
Danny McCray

Draft 1 in the 4 round and 1 in the 5th round of the draft.

Kickers

Justin Tucker
Mason Crosby
Josh Brown
Greg Zuerlein
Adam Vinatieri
Phil Dawson
Nick Novak
Kai Forbath Re-Sign
Shayne Graham
Randy Bullock

OK at Kicker

Punters

Marquette King
Shane Lechler
Jon Ryan
Bryan Anger
Brad Nortman

Release Morstead and pickup best Punter available. Save Money.

Restricted Free Agents

C.J. Anderson
Brandon Marshall
Jacquies Smith
Ryan Schraeder
Ryan Davis

The theory with adding Paul, Miller and Knighton you will take a lot of pressure of the secondary.

Offensive line needs to protect Drew. He's not getting any younger.

Savings:
Drew Brees, Re-Structure $$$$????
Morstead $3,647,500
Colston $7,260,000
Zach Strief either re-negotiate or release $4,000,000
Kevin Williams $1,500,000
Luke McCown $1,050,000
Brandon Browner $5,000,000

We are already 6.9 million over the cap. With just the re-structure for Drew we can make that up and then some freeing up money to sign Free Agents and draft picks.

The average age of our team is 25.19 so we're relatively young.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Only your savings are way out
Colston,cutting saves $3.2ml
Morstead $3.25
Strief $1.24
Browner saves $950k
And McCown and Williams saves nothing as they are FA

So dropping all them players just gets us under the cap and needing to replace them all

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I'm laughing my a$$ off that Cheramie thinks we can sign Von Miller, Jason Pierre Paul AND Terrence Knighton.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

We can save about 20 million without even the restructure of Drew. We've always found a way in the past and they will find a way next year.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I'm leery of Jason Pierre Paul with his back surgery in 2013 and then the firework injury in July; but Von Miller would automatically put our defense on the map again :bng:

I seriously doubt we can afford him though

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

JP's Free Agent Shopping List:

NT Damon Harrison
OG Ryan Wendell
TE Rob Housler
LB Danny Trevathan or LB Brandon Marshall*
CB Tracy Porter or CB Morris Claiborne
K Nick Novak
P Shane Lechler

*Restricted

I'd resign these free agents:

QB Matt Flynn
RB Kendall Hunter
RB Tim Hightower
TE Ben Watson
TE Michael Hoomanawanui
CB Kyle Wilson
FS Raphael Bush

I'd Release the following for Cap Savings:

CB Brandon Browner
G Jahri Evans
OT Zach Strief
P Thomas Morstead

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Mo C has been a HUGE disappointment up here in Death Star nation. Coming out of the draft, I truly thought he would be a difference maker. If he isn't on the field, he has been in the tub.

Not sure if this guy can stay healthy either :rolleyes:.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Interior Offensive Linemen
Young guns that may be had. Oh but at what cost?
Kelechi Osemele LG Baltimore
Ramon Foster LG Pittsburgh

Tried and true solid vet
Evan Mathis LG Denver

Go out and kick some tires list
Tony Bergstrom - is of serious interest. zone blocker on a power blocking team. DA knows the kid
Johnnie Troutman

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I dont get releasing Strief for cap purposes. It saves 1.3ml. Youll never get as good back up for that money. My guess is he'd take a paycut for one more go round

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Mark Barron OLB Los Angeles Rams (weird...)
Olivier Vernon DE Miami
Ladarius Green TE San Diego
Rishard Matthews WR Miami
Alex Boone G San Fran
Janoris Jenkins SB Los Angeles (still not used to it)

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Do you think Dennis Allen and Aaron Glenn could turn things aroung for him?!?

Sign him to a team cap friendly contract...

He gets things turned around under the aforementioned tutelage...

That was my thinking at least by his mention in my post...