Analyzing the Saints 2010 Free Agents: Offensive Line

by Dave Cariello on Feb 19, 2010 6:00 AM CST

Today we're talking about the guys that get paid to take care of Drew Brees: the offensive line. Set to hit the free agency market from the front line are five players, including starters Jammal Brown and Jahri Evans.

We can probably all agree that Evans will sign a big contract; the big question here is what the Saints will do with Jammal Brown. How much should he get paid and would the Saints think about trading him? And how does Jermon Bushrod fit into the picture?

Let's hear your thoughts.

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Uncapped 2010 off-season disclaimer...

Throughout this series of posts, it's important to keep in mind the very real possibility that a new CBA will not be reached this off-season and that the 2010 season will uncapped. This means that any 4th or 5th year players, who would normally be unrestricted, instead become restricted. For our purposes here, we have assumed there will be no new CBA and are considering these players restricted. This is represented by an asterisk(*). In the unlikely event that a new CBA is reached before the 2010 season, these players would then be considered unrestricted.

Also keep in mind that because of the top eight provision, the Saints will not be allowed to sign any unrestricted free agents unless they let the equal value of unrestricted free agents go.

Jammal Brown

Offensive Tackle

Restricted Free Agent*

Analysis: The Saints will offer Brown a contract, the only question will be how much it's worth. With Jahri Evans and Jermon Bushrod needing to be taken care of as well, there may not be as much left as he wants. Jammal's status and durability are questionable after spending most of last season on IR. If another team showed interest in Brown, the Saints might very well be willing to part ways.

Opinion: Things could get interesting.

Jahri Evans

Guard

Restricted Free Agent*

Analysis: Probably one of the biggest priorities for the Saints this off-season is taking care of their Pro-Bowl guard. Evans is arguably the best player at the position in the entire league so the Saints will have to pay him as such.

Opinion: It's payday for Jahri.

Jermon Bushrod

Offensive Tackle

Restricted Free Agent

Analysis: Bushrod will definitely be tendered an offer after filling in quite nicely for Jammal Brown most of last season. Jermon may have needed some help at times but he's definitely serviceable and still young with lots of potential. Things should get interesting in training camp next season.

Opinion: He stays.

Zach Strief

Offensive Tackle

Restricted Free Agent*

Analysis: I thought this might be the year Mr. Eligible actually catches a pass - perhaps on a broken play -but alas, it was not to be. Strief has been great for support in the blocking game and is versatile enough to play both sides. Plus, he's got something you just can't teach - size. Dude is huge.

Opinion: I hope he stays.

Nick Leckey

Center

Unrestricted Free Agent

Analysis: Since he's the only other center on the roster, the Saints may very well offer him a contract. Or they may wait it out and try to pull the old switch-a-roo with another unrestricted free agent center or even draft one.

Opinion: Probably won't make it.

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Comments

I was hoping the same thing..

With Strief, everytime he was in the game they put him in motion and of course it was usually a run…i wanted just one play-action pass to him…didn’t happen though :-(

PSN: greenwald2004
Hit me up on the sticks! Madden 10 is my game now.

by greenwald200 on Feb 19, 2010 7:58 AM CST reply actions

Strief

also is a good cook. He’ll want to stay in the food capital.

Nesbit can play center in a pinch. He’s old as dirt now (in lineman years), but Leckey only plays in emergencies anyway. If we lose Nesbit, we need another guard. If we lose Leckey, we need another center. Which is the best option?

"My prediction for next year's SB: Saints vs. 2nd Place."

by MtnExile on Feb 19, 2010 8:32 AM CST reply actions

i'd rather lose a guard

any center could take the guard slot if a guard get hurt, but the same might not be true the other way around.

PSN: greenwald2004
Hit me up on the sticks! Madden 10 is my game now.

by greenwald200 on Feb 19, 2010 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

While I’m not happy about the possible lockout looming in 2011, the uncapped year seems to have helped us in that it made Evans restricted. He deserves a huge payday for his performance and play, and in my opinion should be priority one for the Saints this offseason, but at least if something goes terribly, terribly wrong and we lose him, we should at least get some compensation in return. Here’s to Evans being in black and gold until he keels over from old age.

Bushrod needs to be kept as well. He performed admirably all things considered, and having RBs and TEs over there chipping opposing ends I think helped the Saints really focus on screen passes to that area since they had to have offensive weapons in the vicinity anyway, and overall that tactic was a raging success. It may’ ve been a blessing in disguise. With some more work, he could likley develop into a very solid LT. God knows he knows what to expect at this point.

That being said, while I don’t think it should be a priority to keep Brown, it shouldn’t be an afterthought either. While losing him would allow us to go for another free agent, he is a good player (though maybe not as great as some have made him out to be) and that kind of depth at the position is a luxury few teams can claim. Not having to worry so much about helping that left side would free up those “helpers” to run downfield, especially Shockey. The injuries may be too much of a concern at this point to make him really viable though. He does seem to be breaking down a lot recently. As with most things, I reckon it’ll come down to how much money he wants, and what other teams are willing to pay him.

I’d like to see the Saints take a smaller, more athletic tackle in the late rounds of the draft as well. With guys like Reggie and Thomas running the ball and changing directions all the time, it’d be nice to try to groom someone with speed for run blocking and to take on the more agile and shifty ends (guys like Freeney and Dumervil). I know the O-line’s job is to make a hole for a RB to get past the line of scrimmage, but wouldn’t it be kind of cool to have one that could move down the field and block guys in open space? I completely understand that I may be living in a dream world with this one, and there’s only so many spots on the roster to go around. Strief did this pretty damn well this season, especially considering his size, so it may not even be needed.

by Jimbo03 on Feb 19, 2010 11:20 AM CST reply actions