New Orleans Saints: 6 Worst-Case Free Agency Scenarios for Them Post-Lockout

In preparing for the NFL Free Agency period which will consummate in the very very near future; I was amazed to see some of the names on the list of the New Orleans Saints. I was amazed, not because any of them are hall of fame-type players, but honestly because only a few are must keeps.

And most of the guys that are must keeps aren't even the best player at their respective position. They are must keeps for the sake of roster continuity and overall team and position depth. And many of these guys will be replaced by younger players anyway.

But six names stood out, guys the Saints must keep. An inability to do so when the clock strikes midnight, will leave the Saints kicking themselves in 2011.

6. Center Jonathan Goodwin

A solid argument could be made for Goodwin being placed higher (or lower depending on how you view the order) on this list. My argument against placing him after no. 5 is that Goodwin's replacement at center would be much more adequate than at any other position. Such is the reason I do not even have Lance Moore on this list--his replacement (Adrian Arrington) will probably end up a better player than Moore. 

Matt Tennant is a kid the Saints drafted in the fourth round in 2010 out of Boston College. He is smart and has been praised early by the Saints coaching staff. Nonetheless, in a year that promises to be as chaotic as 2011 it is better to stay with good 'ole Mr. Reliable than the up-and-coming prospect.

For that reason I say keeping Goodwin at least for 2011 is a move that needs to be made, and would likely hamstring the team if it is not accomplished.

5. Left Tackle Jermon Bushrod/ Flex Tackle Zach Strief

Imagine the Saints beginning 2011 with Charles Brown at left tackle. Frankly I don't even want to consider the possibility, not because I question Brown's talent level, but because I know what the Saints have in Bushrod, and again he is dependable.

Losing Bushrod would hurt tremendously, but the loss of Zach Strief would be colossal. Some fans are already calling for Jon Stinchcomb to lose his right tackle job--the spot where Strief is the primary backup. But also consider the Saints will likely use even more of their six-offensive linemen package in 2011, then Strief becomes even more of a necessary factor.

2011 will be the year of dependability in the NFL. Game plans will be reduced, as will overall scheme. Execution will be sloppy at times. Teams that can maintain continuity from last season will adapt best and stand the best shot at success. For that reason alone, losing Bushrod would be a huge shot in the arm to the Saints chances in 2011.

I feel good about the odds of keeping Bushrod though. And I feel good about the odds of keeping Strief. Losing one would be bad, losing both would be a huge dent in the Saints' offensive plans.

4. Defensive Tackle Remi Ayodele

With the likely departure of Anthony Hargrove, losing Ayodele would only further hurt the Saints defensive tackle depth, a position where depth is so crucial.

Ayodele has made a large impact in his few seasons in New Orleans. As a rotation tackle to spot Shaun Rogers, Ayodele will still be a very valuable asset for the Saints. And it's unlikely he's going to go anywhere else to secure a guaranteed starting spot. His best career move is to sign a one-year deal with the Saints in hopes that he shines in 2011.

The Saints certainly wouldn't mid if he did just that.

3. Outside Linebacker Scott Shanle

Shanle is eerily reminiscent of that car part that you keep saying you're going to replace but you never do because it costs too much, or you're too lazy, or mostly just because frankly the urgency just isn't that great--your car will still run smoothly even with the old part.

My point is that the Saints do not need to replace Shanle, unless they can get a Pro Bowler in his stead. And from what I can tell, they aren't lying around in the free agent shop.

To further the illustration, if you were to take out the part you need to replace, but fail to actually replace it, then your car's ability to run smoothly and get you from point A to point B will deteriorate. Such is the case with Shanle. If you let him go and don't replace him, the overall defensive product deteriorates.

So unless there's a bargain part lying around in the free agent shop, the Saints should just keep the part where it is until they are absolutely desperate to make a switch.

2. Tight End/Fullback/H-Back/Superhero/Restaurant Founder Dave Thomas

Okay you're probably saying a couple muttered words under your breath--one, it's not the same Dave Thomas who founded the Wendy's Restaurant chain...you moron!; two, Thomas is a nice player but easily replaceable, and possibly three, even if he is underrated there's no way he should be no. 2 on this list.

Let me respond to two and three here, and then make my argument for how it's not inconceivable he could actually be responsible for the founding of Wendy's at the end.

In response to objection no. 2, Thomas is a nice player. It is true that he is only no. 2 on the depth chart at his own position, well behind future All Pro Jimmy Graham. But that doesn't take into account the massive responsibility and production that Thomas provides.

Thomas lines up at multiple tight end spots--both the Y and the H--and will line up out wide as a receiver as well. And oh yeah did I mention the past two seasons he's been the primary fullback on running downs. Yeah the Saints' fullback, Heath Evans, doesn't even play the position because Thomas is so dang good at it. Re-signing Thomas would allow the Saints to let Evans go, thereby giving them more flexibility at other positions, and money-wise to make a run at another key area.

I think all of that proves no. 3 is not true--that Thomas is overrated at no. 2 on this list. A guy who can line up all over the field, replaces another player at a position he has never been formally trained at, and adds value on special teams (not even previously mentioned) is the most important type of player a Super Bowl-desiring team could have.

In short, I would say Thomas is one of the most important men the Saints employ in their entire offense. Without him, everyone's job becomes immensely more difficult.

As for no. 1, it is true this Thomas was alive while Dave Thomas was alive. Therefore we cannot prove for sure that the two are not related, and that perhaps Dave Thomas took inspiration from David Thomas who he somehow foreknew would become Superman for a Super Bowl dynasty New Orleans Saints team.

It's past midnight...you get the point.

1. Safety Roman Harper

Imagine the Saints defense a season ago without Roman Harper. A skeptic would say the Saints would have been playing the Bears in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. A realist would say the Saints wouldn't have won 11 games a season ago without him. 

Harper was everywhere a season ago, especially if the ball was anywhere. He flew to that thing like it had a magnet on it. He regularly led the team in tackles, while creating great stress for the quarterback at the line of scrimmage.

Harper's coverage skills have greatly improved, save for that one dreadfully cold Saturday afternoon in Seattle. It is for this reason, and his relative youth, that the Saints must make Harper priority numero uno when free agency does commence. His value to this on-the-rise youthful defense is grand.

I'm not saying to pay Harper Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu money, but I would say that the Saints need to pay Harper almost whatever he wants. There is not a better safety to be had on the market. And at a position the Saints are already dry at in terms of depth, losing Harper would only make the headaches greater for Gregg Williams and Sean Payton.