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Good morning, Who Dat Nation. As the first Saturday of the 2013 free agency period is upon us, a question keeps coming to mind for me...
Why in the name of all that's holy hasn't OLB Victor Butler signed with the Saints yet?
I mean, all the pieces are right there in place for these star-crossed lovers to unite...
Butler played for Rob Ryan, and get this - the Saints JUST HIRED Rob Ryan as their new defensive coordinator!
He's a pass-rushing OLB with experience in the 3-4 defense, and wouldn't you know it, the Saints are switching to a 3-4 defense this year!
Reports have it that he's interested in the Saints and the Saints should be interested in him. In last night's updates from Rotoworld:
Free agent OLB Victor Butler left his Steelers visit without a contract.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune has been on top of Butler's whereabouts the last couple of days. Butler reportedly wants to join the Saints, but it's unclear if they'll bring him in for a visit. Mar 15 - 9:32 PM
Rotoworld again, which continues sourcing The Times-Picayune...
The Saints are high on free agent OLB Victor Butler's wish list.
Butler is currently visiting the Steelers, and they're reportedly pushing hard to land him to replace James Harrison. If he makes it out of Pittsburgh, then the next stop would likely be New Orleans with old defensive boss Rob Ryan. Butler, Martez Wilson, and Junior Galette would be a solid trio of young pass rushers. The Jets are reportedly targeting Butler, but the interest may not be mutual. Mar 14 - 8:31 PM
...and in more from Rotoworld as free agency approached (March 10),
The secret's out. We've touted Butler as one of the market's hidden gems, and it appears GMs agree.
Butler is one of the top under-the-radar free agents on the market. He'll turn just 26 this summer and has been stuck behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas for the last four seasons. Butler has 11 career sacks in very limited snaps, and he played under coach Rex Ryan's brother, Rob, the last two years.
All quotes came from BUTLER'S ROTOWORLD PAGE.
So, the way I see it, this is a match made in heaven and the Saints and Butler should be sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, but why isn't it happening?
Does Butler have a hidden injury history? Is he asking for too much money? Maybe there are some character concerns? Does due diligence on both sides just take this long so they can be sure about each other? Maybe they're still looking over each others' match.com profiles.
From what I've read, I want this match to be made and I want it to be made now. How about you?