New Orleans Saints Free Agency: Which Players Top the Team's Wish List?
In 2006, the Saints pulled off what most NFL experts consider the best free agent signing of the previous decade—if not ever (free agency has only been around approximately 30 years)—when they made a more confident, bolder offer than the Miami Dolphins to bring in Chargers QB Drew Brees.
Since 2006, the Saints have largely relied on the draft and lesser known free agents, plus a few trades, to acquire the remainder of its championship core.
In 2011, do Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton have that five-year itch to make a large free agent move?
Common sense would say no, as there simply aren't that many name free agents that figure to be available whenever the lockout is lifted. But there are a few nice targets the Saints could go after.
QB Brodie Croyle
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It's not as if Croyle is going to come in to take Drew Brees' spot. Heck he might not even win a backup job.
But Sean Payton loves intelligent QBs, and Croyle fits that mold. He could serve as a nice backup for a year or two until Chase Daniel is fully developed.
Other Possibilities: Kerry Collins, Chad Pennington, Todd Bouman
FB Brian Leonard
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Leonard would be a much younger version of Heath Evans. No matter who is placed on the roster as the fullback, Dave Thomas will still be taking a large percentage of the snaps at the position.
Leonard would of course be capable of filling in at running back in an emergency, upping his value tremendously.
Other Possibilities: Heath Evans
TE Dave Thomas, TE Desmond Clark, & TE Ben Patrick
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Thomas is the top priority among this group since he is the most multi-dimensional and so key to everything the Saints do offensively. I just assume he'll be back.
Desmond Clark has likely seen better days as a Bear, but could be a wonderful blocking back and leak out as a receiver on check down throws.
Ben Patrick is a young tight end I desperately wanted to join the Saints in the 2007 draft. If he is available, I would do anything to get him black and gold in 2011.
Other Possibilities: Leonard Pope, Randy McMichael, Matt Spaeth
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WR Vincent Jackson
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Sure Jackson isn't the highest character guy, nor does he seem like a natural fit for the Saints offense.
But can you imagine he and Marques Colston together? Try covering that if you're a defense.
You must remember that Jackson and Brees spent a year together in San Diego, so the chemistry and influence ought to be further along than with most free agents. Add in Jimmy Graham and you'd have an extremely physical and vertical offense.
Other Possibilities: Jacoby Jones, Lance Moore, Legedu Naane
OT Jermon Bushrod, Zach Strief, and Jeromey Clarey
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If the Saints were planning on getting rid of Bushrod they likely would have drafted another offensive tackle to compete with Charles Brown. I'm pretty certain Bushrod will be back.
Strief provides great value as back-up tackle and jumbo package tight end.
Clarey is an underrated right tackle, who is still pretty young, and has done a wonderful job for the Chargers the past three or four years. Odds are he'll back in San Diego, but if not the Saints would be a wonderful fit for him.
DE Dave Ball & Jeff Charleston
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Titans DE Dave Ball is a former UCLA Bruin who was dominant at the college level. At the pro level he's been solid. He would have the potential to add to the Saints pass rush--something Gregg Williams is always trying to do.
Charleston is best known as a hustle guy, who makes plays with extreme effort.
Both of these types of players are needed.
DT Anthony Hargrove & Remi Ayodele
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Hargrove is best known for his amazing restoration story. But he is one heck of a football player too, and one the Saints would prefer to have back as a rotation linemen who can move around to all spots on the line.
Ayodele is a little more limited in terms of versatility, but he too has been a key member of an improving Saints defense.
MLB Marvin Mitchell
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Obviously Mitchell isn't going to be replacing Jon Vilma anytime soon, at least no Saints fan hopes so. But Mitchell has been a key special teams player for the Saints in recent seasons and a more than adequate backup.
OLB Scott Shanle
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Scott Shanle has started at outside linebacker seemingly every game since acquired a week before the 2006 season. He has been more than solid for the Saints, as they just cannot seem to find a way to replace him.
I don't see this offseason being that time either.
SS Roman Harper
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Saints fans may have short memories and so they only remember Harper's struggles versus the Seahawks. But Harper has put together four and a half amazing seasons in New Orleans, and without him the Saints defense would not be nearly as good as it is.
Harper is priority No.1 for me this offseason. After him, finding a backup safety is key as well.
Other Possibilities: Atari Bigby, Quintin Mikell, Reed Doughty
Nobody Else
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At the end of the day, free agency this offseason is going to be more about re-signing a team's previous players than adding them from other teams. Teams are going to want as much continuity as possible due to less practice time.
Therefore unless there is a player that Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton are absolutely convinced they must have, it would surprise me if they made any big free agent signings.
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