JP's Free Agent Shopping List:

NT Damon Harrison (Pair this guy in the middle and wow, things will sure turn around fast, for the better)
OG Ryan Wendell (Guy is a team captain and always has his sh*t squared away)
TE Rob Housler (Maybe just needs the right system, quarterback)
LB Danny Trevathan or LB Brandon Marshall* (Marshall is a *restricted free agent, Trevathan wasn't bad until replaced by Marshall - leverage?)
CB Tracy Porter (Reunion with Dennis Allen?)
K Nick Novak (We've got to get something better as a placekicker)
P Shane Lechler (He's been better than Morstead and could provide cap savings)


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:

G Jahri Evans
OT Zach Strief
P Thomas Morstead

CB Brandon Browner is problematic, but as WillSaints81 pointed out, the Saints are probably locked in for another season because of contact/cap commitment...

Same with Jairus Byrd...

That doesn't mean we can't draft their replacements and have those younger players starting by season end when the likely injuries arrive...

I'd tag Armstead and get a favorable contract, I wouldn't be surprised if the Saints draft another offensive tackle and wait until next season to commit to Armstead; he's been a great tackle, but he's not gotten the accolades to boost his leverage...

Housler? No. If Palmer could not help him and TE production improves with Fells and Gresham that's a problem.

Carson Palmer < Drew Brees

So Palmer's made weapons too. Look at JJ Nelson and John Brown. Palmer was playing in cold weather in Carolina. If it was Arizona, it would be different.

I just feel that after it took Gronk to almost tie the Denver game, Brees needs someone to be clutch. Getting all these players who will never be elite is just not the way to go. I would like for Brees to restructure by 10 mil, other players to restructure, Colston to move on and saints to sign a big receiver.

What big receiver on the open market?!? Anquan Boldin?!? That's it.

We have better on our roster than will be available...

We can improve the defensive line with the a top 3 nose tackle in Damon Harrison...

We can improve and round out the linebackers with LB Danny Trevathan...

And we could acquire an affordable guard in Ryan Wendell, allowing the team to move on from Jahri Evans...

And if Colston would restructure and come back as a slot receiver as a 3rd down and end zone specialists, why would we not want him back?

What big receiver on the open market?!? Anquan Boldin?!? That's it.

We have better on our roster than will be available...

We can improve the defensive line with the a top 3 nose tackle in Damon Harrison...

We can improve and round out the linebackers with LB Danny Trevathan...

And we could acquire an affordable guard in Ryan Wendell, allowing the team to move on from Jahri Evans...

And if Colston would restructure and come back as a slot receiver as a 3rd down and end zone specialists, why would we not want him back?

I thought players like Sanu would be available.

So is Colston gonna start a training regimen and not drop passes or fail to make catches anymore? Oh wait is the oline to blame again? IS Snead gonna put on 20 pounds this offseason and suddenly be electric?

I don't want more 3-7 offensive points against Detroit and Carolina first halfs again next season(yeah Brees always moved the ball at home against any defense).

I know we need defense, but we are never gonna break our ass on defense to win without Brees able to pass for some points. We're not Denver. You want Brees to win ugly games against NE and Pittsburgh like Manning did? Basically we won't know if we will win until the final second.

This is where we are...

Before reworking any contracts, we're over the projected salary cap...

Assuming we rework the larger contracts (i.e. Brees) and release some players that will have minimum dead money (i.e. Ellerbe), we're going to have a very limited shopping spree in Free Agency...

So the salary cap money allocated had better count and it had better have an impact and meet a personnel need...

We need a run stuffing, gap gobbling defensive tackle and several quality defensive tackles should be available; Damon Harrison is in his prime and will provide excellent value...

We need a weakside linebacker that can cover; Danny Trevathan is entering his prime, will be coming off, at the least, a Superbowl appearance; and will want a fulltime gig to make a difference and can fit the salary cap slot that probably will be vacated by Elllerbe...

We need a big, physical "x" or No. 1 receiver for red zone and first down conversions; with our limited salary cap space, would we try to get into a spending spree for an aged Anquan Boldin? Colston also faces father time, and has recently experienced a case of the drops, but is still familiar with our system and may likely give the home town discount...

Commit the smart money on Harrison and Trevathan and shore those needs up; if the opportunity in the draft of a Treadwell or a quality wide receiver
presents itself, take it...