Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams' off-season needs. Up next is the team with the 25th overall pick in the draft, the New Orleans Saints.
2006 Results: 10-6 (1st in NFC South)
2007 Projected Cap Status: $87,100,000 $21.9 million under the Cap as of March 1st
2006 Season Recap:
The Saints were Cinderella’s of the NFL in 2006 with Sean Payton leading new QB Drew Brees (led the NFL with 4,418 passing yards, and the 26 TDs ranked third) and high profile rookie RB Reggie Bush (3.6 ypc. average on 155 attempts and 742 receiving yards) to the playoffs in his first year. In the NFC championship loss New Orleans struggled to stop the run, and defense will be the focal point for the Saints during the offseason.
Team needs:
1. Corner Back
The Saints will look to add quality talent to compliment CB Mike McKenzie, Fred Thomas has given up big plays, and Jason Craft has struggled. The Saints will have to use an early draft pick to get the talent they want because all the top free agent cornerbacks have signed elsewhere.
2. Tight End
At tight end, the Saints have Mark Campbell and Billy Miller, both will be over 30 this season, and neither can be consider a weapon on offense. They will need to acquire a young and athletic pass-catching tight end
3. Quarterback
Jamie Martin signed a 2 year deal as an unrestricted free agent last April and is currently the only QB other than Brees on the roster. The Saints are Martin’s 7th team (played for the Rams and Jaguars twice) in 8 years. The Saints will need to find a more suitable backup for Brees (who was injured during the Pro Bowl).
Franchise Player: DE Charles Grant: Tendered at $8.66M
Players Signed/Re-signed: CB DeJuan Groce (re-signed)
DT Hollis Thomas (re-signed)
WLB Scott Shanle (re-signed)
OT Jon Stinchcomb (re-signed)
TE Billy Miller (re-signed)
DT Antwan Lake (re-signed)
S Kevin Kaesviharn (UFA Bengals)
TE Eric Johnson (UFA 49ers)
LB Brian Simmons (FA Bengals)
Un-Restricted Free Agents:
CB Curtis Deloatch
LB Terrence Melton
Restricted Free Agents: DT Rodney Leisle (tendered at $850,000 with 5th-round pick as compensation)
WR Terrance Copper (tendered at $850,000 with no compensation)
LB Niko Koutouvides (tendered at $850,000 with 4th-round pick as compensation)
OT Sean Locklear (tendered at $1.85M with 1st-round pick as compensation)
DT Craig Terrill (tendered at $850,000 with 6th-round pick as compensation)
Players Lost: LB Danny Clark (UFA Texans)
TE Ernie Conwell (released/failed physical)
OG Montrae Holland (UFA Broncos)
WR Joe Horn (released)
OG Chad Setterstrom (released)
Check out more at THN's exclusive 2007 NFL Draft section.
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