2016 Saints Free Agency
 

While we're all preparing our notes to demonstrate to the Saints front office who'll be the best prospects in the draft...

Before the draft, we'll have free agency to contend...

Regarding Saints staff, I can't help but wonder why Terry Fontenot is still our Director of Pro Scouting after the misses with Brandon Browner, Jairus Byrd and C J Spiller...

There's been poor scouting, choices in free agency...

Sean Payton: Saints need to avoid wobbly couches in free agency - New Orleans Saints Blog- ESPN

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:

WR Marques Colston
RT Zach Strief
RG Jahri Evans

So we first have to get our house in order with regards to front office personnel, then there's some contracts that need to be shored up, and that's before we make moves to make so as to mask what we may do in the draft...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Keeeyahh mais cher dat's a lot yea!

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

budget basement shopping only :)

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Zach Strief, Marques Colston are among you're biggest cap eaters...

And Morstead's play in no way justifies his salary...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

For those that suck the PFF tailpipe...

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...t-to-get-paid/

1. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos (92.2)

2. Josh Norman, CB, Panthers (91.3)

3. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Jets (89.1)

4. Eric Berry, S, Chiefs (93.6)

5. Mike Daniels, DE, Packers (92.7)

6. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants (82.5)

7. Tamba Hali, OLB, Chiefs (88.1)

8. Eric Weddle, S, Chargers (74.5)

9. Adam Jones, CB, Bengals (86.7)

10. Bruce Irvin, LB, Seahawks (80.6)

Wilkerson would probably have the greatest impact for us; he could line up in a 3-4 or a 4-3 and still be a difference maker; wanted to draft him over Cam Jordan...

Weddle's age is scary, but he plays hurt unlike some safeties we know and is a real smart player; but can we continue to offer resources at Safety with Byrd's contract?!?

I actually think we're trending up at LB and CB (especially he we keep Kyle Wilson for depth and let Browner go); now, ILB Danny Trevathan would be an interesting add...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Von Miller is the only guy on that list I really would like but he will be way to expensive.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

What I find amusing is that you, and others, of course, may actually be serious about that declaration. Anyone who goes through this exercise is simply going through a meaningless, yet entertaining, I suppose, 'what if' that impresses no one but yourself and others that play the same game.

To a degree I understand the compassion. It is much like fantasy football of which I am a huge fan. But, I don't see how you measure success as in fantasy football.

The draft to me is totally a wait and see proposition. None of us, and I mean NONE of us, have anywhere near enough insight to make any sort of intelligent projection.

If any of you actually had more ability of making these decisions you should immediately quit your jobs and become front office personnel.

Just giving a little dig at y'all, but I'll just sit back and see what those that REALLY know what they are doing do what they are paid to do.

Carry on and fun with your version of fantasy.

;)

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

And yet you feel the need to post and antagonize...

You pretty much confirmed what you've signaled in your other posts, you're pretty unhappy unless you're tearing down other people...

I feel sorry for you that you're that pathetic...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

He'll probably get designated in some form by the Broncos, essentially making himself unavailable...

But they're alot of other Broncos who will be available...

Considering where we are with regards to personnel, ILB Danny Trevathan intrigues me the most for the Saints...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Not necessarily...

A few things to consider...

Does Brees restructure?

Are we really going to see Strief, Evans and Colston in the black and gold again next season at their current cap numbers?

Will Browner, Byrd and Spiller be kept around with those numbers yielding those results?

It'll take some work, but there will be some necessary moves taking place if this team is going to finish completely turning over so Payton's message can be fresh for the team...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I agree with Wilkerson being a great addition. He would be outstanding as a DT next to Jordan but he might draw a large contract.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

This post adds zero value to the board... Glad I wasted my time reading another one of these outstanding contributions to the forum...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

JP -

Give me your thoughts on my list of "lesser name FA's" ...

Damon Harrison, NT
Nick Fairley
Brandon Brooks
Robert Ayers
And one of my favorites .. BRIAN QUICK - WR (Rams)

Hopefully this will be a low key FA period. Building your team through the draft is still the best hope for improvement long term.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I like Ayers, but Allen plays a 43 so hopefully he can catch on as OLB.

I hope we don't make any big splashes this year. They haven't worked out. Last years draft was good and we finally went after positions of need. In years past Payton has gone after BPA and that was an awful strategy.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

BG,

But isn't Kikaha a 3-4 type player? Out of position in DA system (assuming he is the DC in 2016), no?

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Harrison, I believe was a Restricted Free Agent last season; I really like him; Hagan and I went back and forth in our mancrush for him last season; problem you've got is you can't commit that much money to him when there's not that much too commit, especially when you've got this scheme contradiction between personnel and where Allen is putting his pieces on the board...

Fairley is a great physical talent for sure, but there's just waaay too much baggage there for the Saints to touch...

Brooks recently missed a game because of some GI issues; this is not something new for him; having personal history, I can say this could be something serious and I wouldn't want to commit that much money to a guard with those question marks...

Ayers has been a fine player, but he's 30+ and we've got as good and younger already on the team...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

No,he played a lot in a 4-3 this year and did a good job.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Well if you stick with the 3-4, you could have a front next season of Cam Jordan - John Jenkins - Tyeler Davison - (Muhammad Wilkerson)...

That wouldn't be too shabby...

But if you went to a 3-4, you could have front of Cam Jordan - John Jenkins/Tyeler Davison - (Muhammad Wilkerson) and then add Karim Edebali across from Hau'oli Kikaha...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I don't understand gauging how players will fit on our defense if we run a 3-4 or a 4-3. We will spend 33.3% of our defensive snaps in our base defense. The other 66.6% of the time we'll have 4 down lineman and some combination of LB's and DB's. At this point, just assume that no matter what our base defense is we'll normally be playing with 4 down defensive lineman.

Dennis Allen has never run a 3-4 defense so let's look for guys that will fit on a 4 man front.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Allen has always run a 43.

If you look at what we ran when he took over it slowly moved to a 43. In fact during the last 5 games I can't recall a single 34 alignment.

Jordan is a great DE.
Davidson and Jenkins should sub out at 1 DT spot.
The other spots are wide open though.

Richardson is no better than a practice squad player and Williams won't come back for another year. We desperately need a starting DT and DE both can be had with good picks in the draft.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Evans played well in spite of injury. I think he's good for one more year. I doubt Byrd and Browner will go anywhere. Too many other holes to start over at their position. Plus the cap implications would hurt. We get a pass rusher along side Evans and I have a feeling we will all have forgiven Browner by mid season.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

And I have seen your own share of personally attacking the current ownership.

As far as happiness, I am abounding in it. Always. I simply pointed out how silly it was to even infer that any of us as fans could honestly feel that we could educate the professionals that have access to tons more information than any of us could dream to have.

I understand this is a fun exercise that gets you prepared for the next real portion of the "season", the free agent market and draft, where we are all nothing more than eager fans.

I have no problem with those that get into this. It is the implication that the front office could learn from it that I continuously find amusing.

That was all I was pointing out.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Regardless of preferences to a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme, not to mention the sub packages (nickel, dime), here's the thing...

We've posted this on multiple threads that we've drafted players that would seem to be better suited to a 3-4 base front...

After Payton made the declaration to move to a 3-4, and in the following draft we traded two picks to move up and select NT John Jenkins...

Stephone Anthony will be a fine Mike in either front, but could be more of a playmaker in a 3-4...

Hau'oli Kikaha would be a way better OLB in a 3-4 where he's focused more of rushing the passer, as is his strength, rather than in a 4-3 where he's dropping more into coverage...

Then we took another OLB in Davis Tull who's very much a clone of Kikaha...

Then there's the wasted talent on the bench of Kasim Edebali who's got five sacks in very limited play...

I'd rather just get a 3-4 defensive coordinator to see this thing through rather than change course mid-stream again and spend 2-3 seasons rebuilding for a 4-3...

It's just this rudderless zig-zaging that is the primary cause for our defense sucking balls...

Allen is obviously a much more organized, meticulous coach than Ryan was...

But we need a Defensive Coordinator who'll scheme with what we have rather than putting his system in and trying to fit square pegs into round holes...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

We might as well stick with the 3-4 defense. I'd make serious runs at both Tamba Hali and Aldon Smith. Sign both of them. I'd move Ellerbe inside with Anthony. Kikiha would become a rotational player and learn from a veteran pass rusher like Hali. I'd also go after Kelvin Sheppard. Let Ellerbe be a rotational guy and conserve his health. With the upgrade at rushing the passer, the defense is set.

We have to release Colston, Browner, Evans and Strief. I'd let a good majority of our free agents walk as well. Restructure Brees, and continue the youth movement.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Rez, believe we have the pieces needed at OLB if we scheme more 3-4...

But we'd definitely need some help on the inside; I like Broncos' ILB Danny Trevathan to complement Anthony...

Agree with the cuts; Colston is painful as he's been a class act and a warrior throughout, but his cap number is far too great; unsure he'd want a reduced role...

Evans and Strief are done; Evans hasn't played all-out since he got paid; Strief is the model of overachiever since being a 7th round pick and a great teammate, but he's an old 7th round pick, and it's shown...

Browner just got on my wrong side with his preseason comment about wanting to return to the S'hawks; his play was awful and continued a pattern from his New England tenure where he was benched inactive for the post-season...

Why we signed Browner is one of the great mysteries...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Broncos have two great MLBs who will be free agents. Trevathan and Marshall. They have to pay Von Miller so one of those guys will leave.
Huge upgrade if we sign one of those two.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

If we go 3-4 I will agree that Anthony will be fine, hell I'll go as far a saying he becomes a stud in a 3-4, thats a stretch for me not wanting him in the draft but in a 4-3 I don't see it at all he has a long, long way to go in that scheme. Tull is still a ? mark but I do like his motor. Now Ediboli I think we have a very good OLB in a 3-4 . This draft is loaded with ILB and OLB that could help set the lb.'ers for years. I still slide Ellerbe on the inside with Anthony and Ediboli on the outside draft a OLB that can be a 3 down player and let Ellerbe groom a young thumper to compliment Anthony and fill in immediately if Ellerbe or Anthony go down. That gaping hole in the middle has plagued us for a long time and still hasn't been fixed year after year. I still draft a OG and a big run stuffing DE before anything else. I do agree about a SS also and totally agree about a 3-4 DC just as long as he can pick his staff.You made a great point about constantly flip flooping schemes, it usually if ever works quickly.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

The blame for this mess rests with Rob Ryan, These are the players he wanted. He got rid of the players he did not want. So sticking with 34 seems like long long road to rebuilding an average defense. 43 appears to be the answer with the roster, draft and lack of cap money. Just fielding a competitive 43 defense is with reach for 2016.

Safety is a position were a ton of money was spent and nothing has been done to maximize that investment. So I hope they address the option in the back end at safety and get a player that helps maximize Byrd investment. KV is not a complimentary safety to Byrd.

OLB that can run the edges and cover is huge

After that a CB that can tackle, A DT/NT that does little more than eat up space. DE? just keep adding quality of depth this year. Setting the edge against the run must out weigh the desire for sacks.

Like I said it will take time to clean up this mess Rob put together either way.

By the end of round 3 in the draft we should have an idea what the saints are going to do. great if the first pick in the draft answers our question.

I still believe either way we go the saints can field a defense next year that is competitive with Rob out of picture with little trouble.

Pick for 2017 baby ......2017

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I second that. Finding a OLB who can cover TE's has to be a huge priority this off season.

Yes sir. Did you notice NT -POE yesterday for KC? Man this guy can really clog up the middle. Made the Texans one dimensional ... if we can do a better job in this area, we can win most of the battles.

Continue to build a solid foundation through the draft.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

If DA stays as DC, why not use Kikaha and Tull in similar fashion as Oakland uses Mack (SAM LB & a rush DE nickle/sub packages)?

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I don't know about that Hagan. Ultimately, wasn't it Sean and Loomis who signed off on who stayed and who went? Hell, with that thought, wasn't it Sean and Loomis who signed off on Rob himself while he'd been saying two years in a row, "I need to simplify the defense"? (After saying the same thing while coaching that other team?)

I do agree with you that we have some decent talent out there if we can bring in some folks who can figure out what to do with it. However, it will take more than just getting Ryan out of there. He needs a quality replacement. We have some other coaching positions in desperate need of upgrading too.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

I see another large roster purge this off season. Fresh faces for a fresh start.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

And that might not be a bad thing for Payton...

New faces means his 'message', methods won't be stale and that's keeps it fresh for him as well...:bng:

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Some top free agents, I'd like to see the front office take a strong look at...

DE Muhammad Wilkerson

NT Damon Harrison

ILB Danny Trevathan

G Alex Boone (IR)

G Ryan Wendell

ILB Brandon Marshall

NT Terrance Knighton

S Eric Weddle (if we could wiggle free from Byrd)

TE Joseph Fauria

TE Craig Stevens

TE Ben Watson (know I gripe about age, but we've got to bring this guy and his back)

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Man id love to see Wilkerson on the line. Mans a game changer

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Been waiting for this from you JP. Thanks for posting.

Hagan, if we're talking basement, we should kick the tires on Cameron Wake.

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

R E L A X!

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Rolando McClain?

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Don't trust 'em. Danny Trevathan or Brandon Marshall offer more with less risk...

Re: 2016 Saints Free Agency
 

Know we've gotta improve the pass rush, but I believe we've already got the guys to do it - they're just not being put into position (scheme) to contribute...

On defense, our biggest weaknesses are defensive line coaching, inside linebacking depth and the safeties, at least the projected starters...

Offense, we've got to get at least one starting guard under contract...

The money we spent (wasted) on Browner, Spiller last season could have gotten us free agent G Clint Boling (my wanted move), a very affordable guard who plays at an elite level; Lelito could have pushed at right guard with Evans, and it'd taken away the distraction of Peat trying to learn guard and kept him pushing at right tackle...