5 Moves the New Orleans Saints Simply Must Make This Offseason

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In order for the New Orleans Saints to play in Super Bowl 46, they must re-sign Drew Brees.

Re-signing Brees is an absolutely must, but the Saints need to do more than that this offseason to win another world championship. 

I can't speak for every Saints fan, but it was incredibly difficult to watch the 2012 NFL Playoffs because it was clear the Saints were the best team. For those that disagree and point to the defensive meltdown in the playoff game against San Francisco 49ers, need I remind you that the Saints had five turnovers in that game?

The fact that they had that many turnovers and still came close to beating the 49ers says a lot, and if the Saints can put together the right pieces this offseason, another Super Bowl victory is highly likely.

These are the moves the Saints must make.

Lockup Drew Brees

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Drew Brees is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Which makes the contract negotiation between Brees and the Saints so baffling, and I can't fathom why the Saints have yet to re-sign Brees.

With that being said, I still believe that Brees will re-sign a new contract and retire as a Saint. Brees has even said that there's no doubt he'll retire as a Saint on the NFL Network.

The reason the Saints are so good is because of Sean Payton and Brees' relationship on and off the field. They understand each other, and Brees orchestrates Payton's offense exactly the way it should be orchestrated.

This is the first step for the Saints to take this offseason.

Re-Sign Carl Nicks

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The next step the Saints need to take this offseason is re-signing Carl Nicks.

Your quarterback is only as good as the amount of time the offensive line gives him, and Nicks along with Jahri Evans have formed the best guard duo in the league.

Nicks is one of the main reasons why the Saints received the Prilosec OTC Madden Protectors Award this season for being the best offensive line in 2011, and he's without a doubt one of the best offensive guards in the league.

The Saints need to try and keep that great offensive line in tact, and losing a player like Nicks up front would hurt tremendously.

Re-Sign Receiving Corps

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What's Brees without talented receivers surrounding him?

Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are both free agents this season, and there's a possibility that both players could be wearing other colors besides gold and black next season.

In 2011, Colston had 80 receptions, 1,143 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while Meachem had 40 receptions, 640 yards, six touchdowns and 15.5 yards per catch.

The Saints need to do everything in their power to return the sure-handed Colston and one of Brees' favorite deep threats, Meachem.

Sign Mario Williams (Or Big Time DE) (John Abraham)

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Realistically signing Mario Williams is quite the stretch, but signing a talented defensive end would be just what the Saints need.

It's no secret that the Saints had trouble getting sacks and pressure up front last season, as they were tied for 11th in the league with sacks.

So landing a player like Williams would be fantastic, but that's not a likely possibility and there are other great defensive ends in free agency to grab.

Free agents like John Abraham or Robert Mathis would certainly give the Saints something they've been lacking.

Sign a Linebacker

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The Saints need to bring in a talented linebacker.

After D'Qwell Jackson's 158 tackles in 2011, the Cleveland Browns will most likely do everything they can to re-sign him, but a free agent like Anthony Spence isn't too far fetched for the Saints.

Spence had 66 tackles and four forced fumbles in 2011, and more turnovers is something that the Saints could use more of in 2012. The Saints had a turnover ratio of -3 in 2011.

If the Saints are unable to land a linebacker in free agency, they certainly need to grab a great one in the NFL draft.