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Defensive Backs -
Daniel Bullocks looks like he
can start at safety, but the
other safety spot is
up-in-the-air. The Mike
McKenzie/Fred Thomas duo is
average at best, and after that
it gets ugly on the corner. A
talented corner needs to be
brought in. Fred Thomas is 34
and on the decline. Mike
McKenzie is 30 and has probably
peaked.
Linebacker - New Orleans
doesn't have a playmaker at any
of its three linebacker
positions. A quick player who
can cover ground would be a
great fit. Donnie Edwards would
be a nice fit here.
Tight End - The Saints'
passing game is great, but can
get in trouble when opposing
defenses shut down the big play.
A pass-catching tight end would
add yet another dimension to
this offense.
Mark
Campbell and Billy Miller, both
will be over thirty next season,
and neither one has been a very
threatening weapon on offense.
Wide Receiver - Will Joe
Horn return next year? He is
under contract for around $4.5
million but he has missed
substantial time the last two
years with injuries and he'll be
35 this season. He has stated
that he won't take a paycut and
that's a lot to pay for a
receiver that age who can't stay
healthy. The thing is when Horn
is healthy he is a beast.
New
Orleans Saints Free Agency
Notes:
New Orleans has put the
franchise tag on DE Charles
Grant and likely will retain
him.
The Saints could be looking
for a new cornerback following
Fred Thomas' struggles late in
season and playoffs.
Their workmanlike linebacker
corps last season was solid, but
not dominant. The starters are
all expected back with the
recent re-signing of Scott
Shanle, but Saints may aim for
another LB to add depth and
strengthen 23rd-ranked run
defense.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
OLs Jon Stinchcomb and Montrae
Holland; Ss Omar Stoutmire and
Jay Bellamy; TE Billy Miller;
LBs Danny Clark, James Allen and
Tommy Polley; DT Antwan Lake and
Hollis Thomas; K Billy Cundiff,
CB DeJuan Groce; RB Fred McAfee.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
LB Terrance Melton; DT Rodney
Leisle; WR Terrance Copper; CB
Curtis Deloatch
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