To Franchise or not to Franchise is the question.

There is a lot of speculation in this off season about the ability to sign Drew Brees, Carl Nicks, and Marques Colston. Now if you are like me you like your cake with several different options of Ice cream. Will the Saints put the tag on Brees? Will they retain Nicks, Colston. Who stays and who goes is a very curious proposition. One that I am grateful that I do not have to make (Looking at you Mr. Loomis).

Tagging Brees, would signal a massive fail to communicate. If we tag Brees before free agency, we can say goodbye to both Nicks and Colston. It also would send a signal to everyone in the New Orleans area that it is about money and a business, rather than a cultural thing. Loomis and Peyton have always bought into the entire cultural and people of New Orleans, and to tag Brees would be going against a major part of the Saints' organizational concept. It would make more sense to then make a long term deal with high end incentives as bonuses for achievements such as making the Pro Bowl, playoffs etc. I think the entire league has learned a lesson from the Peyton manning saga by promising to much money. Brees will have a contract and will not be tagged at any point.

Tagging Nicks sounds very plausible, based upon my logic mentioned above. Tagging Nicks would enable the offensive line to stay intact for another year at the very least. The offensive line is the strongest yet at the same time weakest portion of the Saints' offense. When they are clicking they are clicking. When they are horrible they are horrible. All you have to do is watch the tape between both Lions games and then watch the St. Louis game to understand what I am taking about. Nicks will be tagged. In addition to tagging Nicks the act of the tagging would enable him to play just as hard as last year and the year before because of the lack of a long term contract.

Marques Colston, what can I say about the guy? He has been an instrument of success and has shown the world that regardless on where you or drafted you can become the go to guy with enough hard work and determination. Colston is the oxymoron of wide receivers. He does not have a need to self stimulate on twitter, or any type of drama. He is quiet as a mouse, and a true professional. When I look up that the perfect wide receiver is in the dictionary it says "see Marques Colston". Unfortuantly for us I truly believe that Colston is at a coin flip at best to being retained. He has been plagued by injuries such as his Clavical fracture in addition to his knee procedure. I would love to be wrong with this analysis, and would enjoy someone being able to say "I told you so", but I do not think this will happen.

Overall, I believe that Brees will be under contract, Nicks will be franchised, and Colston will walk. However, there is a glimmer of hope. If we remember our Super Bowl winning season people said that there would be no way that we could retain our core players, but we did. Loomis, acting like a hall of fame General Manager, did just that. I believe this off season will define Loomis's career more so than in 2009.

Who do you believe will be tagged, retained, or let go of. Comment to your hearts intent.