Free Agent Survivor: Offense

I didn’t see Lance Moores name for some reason. Meant to vote for him.

You forgot Nicks and Hamilton. They’re not guaranteed to be restricted and/or exclusive rights.

Priority (imo):

1. Nicks
2. Thomas
3. Moore
4. Strief
5. Goodwin
6. Bushrod
7. Hamilton
8. Humphrey
9. Roby
10. Jones
11. Evans
12. Betts
13. Wynn

I’m indifferent on anyone below Bushrod. Bushrod’s ranked below Strief and Goodwin due to expected salary demands. I don’t see much of a dropoff there in terms of talent. Both Strief and Goodwin can play guard in a pinch. Strief can also line up at tight end. While I’d like to have all three back, Bushrod appears to bring the least to the table, despite being a starter. I wouldn’t be overly upset if he walked.

1 Nicks: Production last year was pro bowl caliber

2. Bushrod: He has positional value as a LT or RT. If there is one thing we learned from th Cowboys last season it is that lack productive offensive line will cost you the season.

3.. Thomas: TE talent drops significantly after him. If Jimmy G gets hurt dring the season who do you suppose will pick up the sack if Thomas is not on the team.

4..Moore: Several people would argue he would be #1, but we have a lot of talent in the WR position compared to the TE position. It would hurt to lose him, but not as much as Thomas or Bushrod.

5. Goodwin: Changing a center without OTA’s would be a bad Idea.

Bushrod vs Brown at left tackle
Strief vs Brown at right tackle

I think it is safe to say that Bushrod will have to take a pay cut in order to remain a left tackle, or be willing to move to right tackle. If Brown has comparabe skill to Bushrod at the left tackle position ( which would not be to difficult), Brown will be the left tackle, Bushrod will move to the right (if he takes right tackle money) and Strief and Bushrod will alternate. This would also provide flexibility for Bushrod to move to left tackle.

I do believe they will keep Strief because they can retain him with very little money invested.

Bushrod, Moore, Strief, Goodwin, Thomas, Nicks

Bushrod I believe was hurt the majority of last year, under the radar, like Stinchcomb.
I look at Charles Brown as a RT, so keeping Bushrod is a must in my book.

Strief is more expendable, but only if we ADD an inline blocking TE.

Goodwin may be expendable, depending on Tennant’s development. Though Goodwin is underated and I don’t think he’d hurt us to keep.

Nicks is a PRIORITY. We don’t know if he’ll be restricted or not— it depends on what rules are in place when player movent starts. In Sean Payton’s Gulf Coast Offense, a top tier guard is more important than a top tier tackle. I’ll explain more on that in an article called Gulf Coast Offense.

I have to think Dave Thomas is a priority as well. He’s a jack of all trades, too versatile to let go. On top of that, we have a draft choice invested in him. He’s the type of player Loomis signs to a contract that doesn’t raise eyebrows, yet his contributions make him a bargain for years to come.

Moore is a fit for the system and for Drew Brees. He’s one of Drew’s favorite, and he’s earned a modest payday. Are his expectations modest?

It took a long time for Pierre to get his well deserved pay raise. Lance will get his also from the SAINTS. He is one of Brees’ favorite targets because he is open quite often. Yes he does get double covered in times but he finds ways to get open and Drew knows that very well. He’s not tall, nor does he have tremendous speed, but he has what counts the most, brains, very athletic, does not quit and hypes the team up.