Saints' 27 Potential Free Agents Leads League

I figured many would want to discuss all of these free agents. I guess it’s too early.

If we can’t be the Super Bowl Champs, at least we’re tops in SOMETHING…

And for me, I find it difficult to think of any player personnel movement while the looming LOCKOUT clouds my thoughts.

I’m not going to waste my time trying to guess the order in which Loomis and Payton value these players. They’re going to do whatever they want, regardless. Instead, I will provide my own top and bottom five:

Top Five:

1. Dave Thomas – primarily as a bargaining chip. Before the ink on this contract even had time to dry, I’d be on the phone with Jeremy Shockey’s agent, trying to renegotiate a more cap-friendly deal. I view this as a key target position, in that we have one guy making a boat load of money, who is also (arguably) the least productive. If Shockey won’t budge, he’s adios.

2. Zach Strief – I don’t particularly value Jermon Bushrod as a starting left tackle, but I DO value the importance of depth along the OL. Strief can play four of those five positions in a pinch and won’t be asking for the moon. He also the best blocking “tight end” we have outside of Shockey, who obviously isn’t a staple in my plans moving forth. Why not get this guy locked up long term?

3. Carl Nicks – Bushrod isn’t as good a tackle, as Nicks is a guard. More importantly, Bushrod isn’t as good a guard as Nicks is a tackle. You’re talking about starter’s money either way, and Nicks is a sure fire starter at LG, no matter how you slice it. Again, why not get the best value for our buck?

4. Remi Ayodele – while some may disagree, I’m fine with Ayodele as a starting DT in both the 4-3 and the 3-4. He’s nothing spectacular, but he’s solid. Arguably the most consistent player along the entire DL. Not knowing what the draft and free agency will bring, I’d make it a point to get this guy under lock and key. Who knows? If we somehow luck out and land two solid OLBs, Sedrick Ellis could always be moved for a key contributor at another position.

5. Marvin Mitchell – tough choice between Mitchell and Lance Moore, in terms of value. Decided to go Mitchell, since I’ve already addressed the offense three times. Pretty much the same logic here as on Ayodele. As GM, I’m not sold on the 4-3 as a set in stone, long term answer for this team. That taking into account both our current personnel and the fact that Gregg Williams is entering the final year of his contract. Mitchell is an asset in either scheme, and is also a solid special teams contributor. You can’t have too many guys like that.

Bottom five:

1. Darren Sharper – even for the veteran minimum, I’d have to think long and hard about bringing this guy back. Not that his ego would ever afford me such a chin rub. So long and thanks for all the fish, D. See you in Canton someday. It’s been fun.

2. Heath Evans – starter’s pay for FB who struggles at lead blocking? Let me think about that no. Evans has even less redeeming value on offense than Reggie Bush, in my opinion. We seldom carry two FBs, so depth at the position is of little concern to me. As far as starters go, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he can be improved upon. In the event of a sudden nation wide shortage of dependable FBs, I would rather roll with Dave Thomas in an H-back capacity and re-sign …

3. Tory Humphrey – I think it’s safe to say that Tory Woodbury brought more to the table as a Saints QB, than Humphrey has as a Saints TE. If Shockey refuses to renegotiate and winds up getting cut, I would offer Billy Miller another contract, before extending one to this guy.

4. Matt Giordano – gotta agree with Satch on this one. The 5th best safety on the house menu is one of my least concerns at this point.

5. DeShawn Wynn – same goes for the 4th best RB, despite this being an area of concern. It’s one that I’d be addressing early on in the draft, regardless. Between that, outside free agency, higher priority signings — Thomas, Jones, Betts (in that order) — and projected roster stragglers — Bush, Ivory, Hamilton — Wynn doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of sticking around. At least, not without another reenactment of the 4077th.

In case you’re wondering, I’d have no problem offering Shanle a veteran minimum contract to compete for a starting spot in training camp. Whether he’d be willing to accept that is anyone’s guess. Of course, I would still be going out of my way to upgrade the OLB position, in both the draft and UFA.

I’d also at least attempt to renegotiate a contract with Roman Harper. Primarily because we have bigger fish to fry in other areas and very few draft picks with which to do so, but also because I recognize his trade value as a Pro Bowl participant.