NFL Free Agency 2012: Potential Pass Rushers for the Saints
by Dave Cariello on Feb 1, 2012 11:00 AM CST
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PrintIf there is one thing I'm willing to bet we can all agree on, it's that the Saints could really benefit from having a dominant pass rusher. Wouldn't ya know it, this year's NFL free agency crop has a number of players that fit the bill. So let's start talking about potential free agents whom the Saints might consider signing and what better place to begin than with the defensive end position.
Below is a quick look at some of the defensive ends that may potentially be available when the free agency period begins on March 13th. Let's see who might be making a visit to town. Then talk about it in the comment section.
The Big Names
Mario Williams - DE/OLB - Texans
6'6" - 283 lbs. - 27 years old
Williams only played in five games last season and he still notched five sacks, on pace for a 16 sack season until he tore his pectoral muscle. Money is tight for the Texans and teams like the Bills and Chargers have already expressed interest in Williams. If the Texans don't use the franchise tag, a big contract could easily lure him out of Houston.
Calais Campbell - DE - Cardinals
6'8" - 300 lbs. - 25 years old
I'm noticing that Campbell seems to be the player of choice among many here on Canal Street Chronicles. And why not? He's big, he's young and he's good. Unfortunately, it looks like the Cardinals will use their franchise tag on him if they don't get a deal done before the deadline.
Cliff Avril - DE - Lions
6'3" - 260 lbs - 25 years old
The athletic Avril is coming off a breakout year and will command a big pay day. Since the Lions are tight against the cap, they might have to let him walk. I would cream my pants if the Saints landed him. This guy is crazy good, yo.
Robert Mathis - DE - Colts
6'2" - 245 lbs. - 30 years old
Despite switching to a 3-4 defense this offseason, Colts new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano doesn't think Robert Mathis will have any trouble converting. That means the Colts may be planning on re-signing him. It would be a good get for the Saints, though.
John Abraham - DE - Falcons
6'4" - 263 lbs - 33 years old
Yes, that John Abraham. It appears his time in Atlanta is all but officially over so the question becomes: where will he go next? Why not to the team he tormented so many times for so many years? I know the whole former Falcon thing might take some getting used to but hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Abraham has certainly lost a step but let's face it, he's still probably better than anything the Saints currently have. He should come reasonably priced as well.
More Affordable Options
Jeremy Mincey - DE - Jaguars
6'3" - 270 lbs. - 28 years old
Andre Carter - DE - Patriots
6'4" - 255 lbs. - 32 years old
Cory Redding - DE - Ravens
6'4" - 298 lbs. - 31 years old
Israel Idonije - DE - Bears
6'6" - 275 lbs. - 31 years old
Kroy Bierman - DE - Falcons
6'3" - 255 lbs - 26 years old
Raheem Brock - DE - Seahawks
6'4" - 274 lbs. - 33 years old
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Avril
Hitting his prime.
Please Mickey.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Feb 1, 2012 11:31 AM CST reply actions
I haven’t really watched him play, but isn’t it possible is numbers are inflated due to other teams having to focus on Suh, Fairley and Vanden Bosch?
Sure. It’s also possible that Suh, Fairley, and Vanden Bosch look good because they play on the same line with Avril.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
Touché, lol
I guess I can go anywhere I want. If only I knew where to go-Layne Staley
by AcquiredPanic on Feb 1, 2012 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Probably not going to happen
The Saints are going to be hard-pressed to sign Brees, Nicks and Colston while staying under the salary cap. I don’t expect to see any marquee free agent signings (outside of their own free agents) this off-season. We had better hope that SpagNOLA can make chicken salad out of chicken s**t, because he won’t get many new pieces to work with.
He will if he cuts some of the pieces he has now
I have confidence that Mickey has anticipated the difficulties of this offseason. (Remember how hard last offseason was supposed to be? We lost one significant player—Jonathan Goodwin—and managed to plug that hole adequately.)
There are several defensive players with large contracts that might not be around next season…so depending on all the cap ramifications—which are impossible for a fan to understand, let alone predict—we might see some new guy(s). I’m hoping for Campbell, even though he’s no Audie Cole.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
Took awhile to plug that hole, which probably cost us the Super Bowl
We lost one significant player—Jonathan Goodwin—and managed to plug that hole adequately
We went 5-3 while we figured out how to plug that hole (cough) Kreutz (cough). That hurt.
I don’t want to get all negative; I think that SpagNOLA will be an improvement over Williams, and that he will make chicken salad – and throw in a burger or two. But Brees’ cap number is going to be pretty high; and if we let either Nicks or Colston walk – especially Nicks – we’ll see a noticeable drop-off from 2011 on offense, which might wipe out any improvement we achieve on defense. In short, the Saints have to play the same whack-a-mole salary cap numbers game that all NFL teams play, and we don’t know yet how that will work out.
Actually, we were 4-2 when Kreutz bailed. And that’s not really bad. What cost us the Super Bowl was 40 seconds of terrible defensive play (and play calling) against San Francisco. Don’t try to make out that this is Mickey’s fault and the season was doomed before it began.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
It's All Kreutz's fault
the housing crisis, the economy, Dave’s drinking problem, the Saints not playing this week are all Kreutz’s FAULT. That’s just a fact. Grab as many on the affordable list as they can and I’ll be happy.
They added Jordan, Franklin, and Rogers and it didn’t work out but I still think the theory was sound.
"Saints fans should be sending Paul Tagliabue primo Hollywood quality hookers monthly for the remainder of his life"---Andrew Juge
Jordan, Franklin, and Rogers
Almost zero impact…franklin was highly regarded in SF and Jordan was another first round defensive pick. i wasnt sure what to expect of rodgers since he had a couple off years after being a good DT. i really thought the defense would step it up with the secondary maturing and some good DL additions but once again…
by forrestgump52 on Feb 1, 2012 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not ready to give up on them yet
Remember, Gregg Williams’ system was a little squirrelly compared to a “normal” 4-3, and it supposedly took some time to get used to.
Under Spagnuolo, they’ll have different duties…if they re-sign. And they may look like stars all over again.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
we definitely need to sign one of the big guys..
325+lb, s’il vou plait..
of the DTs available in the draft the biggest guy is 310.. & he probably will be gone early.. these big guys don’t just grow on trees..
we got to stay beefy up the middle.. & work our pieces already in place to get the front 4 in shape..
i would think that spag could get some good play out of both smith & jordan..
there is gallette as more of a speed rusher + whoever similar we can get on the draft.. also romeus.. a passrushing machine in college, coming of the IR could be a sleeper.. we’ll have to wait on him.. the early reports while he practiced those 3 weeks, were “promising” (which in coach speak could very well mean: “well.. his leg didn’t fall off or anything..”)
by the 9th plague on Feb 1, 2012 6:47 PM CST up reply actions
The Saints had their chance in SF, and they blew it. I get that. And I’m not ragging on Loomis; I hadn’t even mentioned his name until just now. But if we had just won in Tampa, we’d have had home field advantage, which would have been helpful.
Or if we’d just won in St. Louis, which happened after Kreutz had already vamoosed.
But my main point is that everyone shuddered in horror at the impossible task that the Saints’ front office faced in 2011…and all in all, they came out pretty well. I expect the same result this year: we’ll keep Drew, Nicks, and Colston, and even add one or two interesting free agents. And they may work out, or they may not. We’ll have to see.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
Considering Nicks has outright said he wants to stay, I’d say we have a good chance to keep him and Drew. I’m less sure about Colston. I think the only way we get him back is if we make a competitive offer in April after everybody else was scared off (or low-balled him) because of his knees.
the numbers could be worked..
unless somebody offers colston a fitz contract.. which is unlikely..
we could work a 4 year contract with the least 1st year money possible.. as long as the overall guaranteed is close to top 5 receiver.. that is not so outrageous.. they have paid big for other pieces.. some of them have not played accordingly..
i’ve been saying that nicks will get the tag.. cause they can’t just stiff him with a lesser contract than evans’, and that would take too much time.. therefore you got to eat the pill & pay the tag for OT, this year (9. something..)
sign brees with the same principle in mind as colston’s ( the lowest possible 1st year & let it escalate from there..
by the 9th plague on Feb 1, 2012 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
i see it like phili.. here..
this team’s strength has been the offense.. stick with what has worked..
the defense, let’s face it.. was along for the ride..
it would be idiotic to dismantle the one asset (the offense) for the mere hope of strengthening the defense (which may take a couple of years to do, anyway..)
i say sign everything that you can on the offensive side.. if we can’t stay under the cap, we will have to trim the excess on the defensive side, mostly.. & replace the players with draft picks, that would be considerably advantageous against the cap..
by the 9th plague on Feb 1, 2012 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
I just don't see how this team can progress without a pass rusher
Without a pass rush, our defense is a sitting duck.
Where we are drafting, we won’t be able to get an immediate impact pass rusher in the draft (if one even exists).
So I expect us to cut someone (looking in your direction will smith) and sign one of these free agents.
Go ahead and list me: Mickey will sign one of the free agent pass rushers in this article this offseason.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Feb 3, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
I personally like Mincy
High motor guy; athletic; Won’t break the bank
Obviously, I would like to have Super Mario, but we won’t get him.
"I've seen George Foreman shadow box, and the shadow won." Muhammad Ali
Mincey may be the next Bobby McCray…same team and everything.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
i'm assuming you did not mean that in a complimentary way :)
"I've seen George Foreman shadow box, and the shadow won." Muhammad Ali
I'm torn.
In a perfect world I’d like to see Williams, Avril, and Calais. Unfortunately, I don’t think we could get any of them because rumor has it the Texans are planning on bringing Williams back in although his back up served them well. I doubt DET will let Avril leave w/o a fight but they may not be able to afford him either which would be our problem. Calais should still be affordable but ARZ needs him as badly as we do.
Can you do voodoo?
Start casting those spells, because not one of those guys is going to come cheap in the absence of some strong juju. If you can get all three to sign with us, you automatically become president of Haiti.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
by MtnExile on Feb 1, 2012 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
THAT's what was missing this season!
Voodoo Gris Gris Man!
Wherefore art thou o wise one?
"Move over Marino, there's a new Brees coming through town!"-Jim Henderson
He made an appearance for the Packers game and then disappeared
Not sure what happened to him. I kinda missed his spells.
I guess I can go anywhere I want. If only I knew where to go-Layne Staley
by AcquiredPanic on Feb 1, 2012 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
I like concept of Abraham
as short term relief/upgrade, relative bargain, and mentor for the young players we have and ones we should be drafting. Plus it would piss the Falcons off when Saints sweep them next year.
"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds" -Bob Marley
by PanheadCatahoula on Feb 1, 2012 2:06 PM CST reply actions
No more Bears' rejects
Israel Idonije – DE – Bears—Nope.
"Move over Marino, there's a new Brees coming through town!"-Jim Henderson
regarding our 4-3, why is it that Will Smith said in his final interview after the NFC Championship game that
they played mostly 3-4 this season? didn’t seem that way to me.
Oh, now I see what the problem was. He was playimg 3-4 and the rest were playing 4-3 !!
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!" (And a Defense!)
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
I've learned so much from my mistakes...I'm thinking of making a few more!"
I would salivitate over Williams, Campbell, or Avril. Arizona is trying to work out a deal with Calais before FA begins, and I don’t believe either Houston or the Cardinals will let their star DE go without the Franchise Tag.
Avril is different because Detroit already has so much money tied into the defensive line. I say it is time to part ways with Will Smith and give his money to Avril.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Feb 1, 2012 7:39 PM CST reply actions
I'd be ok with scenario....
As long as we cut Smith to bring in any upgrade in talent on the D-line. I wouldn’t be for cutting him to free up cap to sign someone at another position.
I guess I can go anywhere I want. If only I knew where to go-Layne Staley
by AcquiredPanic on Feb 1, 2012 7:44 PM CST up reply actions
Also to be noted...
The cap will still be less than what it was trending to in past years. What I am saying is that teams are still adjusting to the new cap and there won’t be enough money to go around to give all these huge contracts to the biggest name FA’s. You will continue to see quality players – pro bowl calibur – signing one year deals for 4 million instead of 7 year 70 million.
There will be the handful like Drew and Nicks and Mario who will get paid BIG, but the market is favoring the owners because it will be flooded with free agents once again this year, and there is only so much money to go around.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Feb 1, 2012 7:44 PM CST reply actions
the saints are at 94 mill.. as it is..
taking that out of the 120 yearly cap.. that’s only 26..
brees will get 12 or ore out of that.. colston & nicks (of practically equal franchise tag value = a long 9. something..) will get the rest (one probably tagged, the other signed..)
so we’d be lucky if we break even..
we cannot sign any high-end FAs.. from the street..
those just the facts if we want to keep our offense going..
we don’t even have enough to sign our own, medium FAs..
we will have to trim.. and release some players to be able to sign just the drafted ones..
Of those five, Avril
Mincey’s a little more beefy and affordable.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."-Mahatma Gandhi
Voted Avril...
Don’t see how we could afford it, but if I get to dream, I might as well have an orgasm.
Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!
by cajuncommando58 on Feb 2, 2012 10:16 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Ha!!!
I’m gonna have to remember that phrase.
I guess I can go anywhere I want. If only I knew where to go-Layne Staley
by AcquiredPanic on Feb 2, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
My problem with all this speculation
Is that we don’t have all this free money to spend on people with high price tags. When you think about last year, is there anyone on the Saint’s defense you could tag as a big money player? Greer perhaps. The rest are either too young and unproven, or too old and on their way out. To keep the offense complete for the most part, there will be sacrifices on defense.
The Saint’s cannot afford to lose people like Colston and Brees. Knowing this, can we really fork over millions for a big money defensive player? Our defensive line cannot get penetration without the blitz, and will not be entirely revamped by next year – how much will one big name help? Thankfully I it’s up to Payton, Loomis, and the Spagster to answer these questions and not me.
We aren't signing Mario Williams.
It’s not going to happen. He would require way too much money we don’t have. John Abraham is a realistic possibility, but I would say the other four of the top five are not, with the exception of maybe Robert Mathis.
by SaintsRule2011 on Feb 13, 2012 12:44 AM CST reply actions
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