could we afford all these free agents...

[chicago JK]

and would it be wise to make such a big financial commitment to all four???
and would it be wise to go after them all?

-Jerry Porter--He is finishing the season strong and with his measurable he surely has a big pay day ahead of him.

-Darrin Howard-Looking for Grant Winstrom money????

-Kendrell Bell-Injured player in the past but when healthy very good.

-Jason Ferguson- ties to Parcells. Looking for Robaire Smith Money???

All four big names above would be a stretch but would add three upgrades to the front 7 and also adding a big play reciever. We would still have holes at QB, secondary and OG but it would really free us up to take the best player available with our first three picks in the draft.

Thoughts?

[Woods]

In FA, I would like to look at Guard. I still think Rogers can pan out and would like to give the combo of Rogers/Vollers one more year.

I'd like to pick up 1 DT, 1 DE (and cut Wiley), and 1 player in the Secondary, either a CB or Safety.

I think that's entirely feasible.

In the draft, we can pick up another DL, one more guy for the Secondary, and a WR to develop over the next 2 years.

[Woods]

In FA, I would like to look at Guard. I still think Rogers can pan out and would like to give the combo of Rogers/Vollers one more year.

I'd like to pick up 1 DT, 1 DE (and cut Wiley), and 1 player in the Secondary, either a CB or Safety.

I think that's entirely feasible.

In the draft, we can pick up another DL, one more guy for the Secondary, and a WR to develop over the next 2 years.

Or instead of another DL, you can take a LB instead.

[Derinyar]

I think we probably dip in to the CB market if its not insane this year. Someone like Lucas out of Seattle probably. A player with some nice upside and decent track record. We don't really need another top player in the secondary, especially with the current penalty calling.

[Portland Fanatic]

I think we probably dip in to the CB market if its not insane this year. Someone like Lucas out of Seattle probably. A player with some nice upside and decent track record. We don't really need another top player in the secondary, especially with the current penalty calling.
I think Lucas or Baxter is a MUST. We do not want to deal with another young CB...Newman is a great talent, but having sophmore jinx this year...if we can get one of these two I think we move ahead faster. We need a FS more then anything, well beside huge run stuffing DT...A few in draft could work here.

[Derinyar]

I think Lucas or Baxter is a MUST. We do not want to deal with another young CB...Newman is a great talent, but having sophmore jinx this year...if we can get one of these two I think we move ahead faster. We need a FS more then anything, well beside huge run stuffing DT...A few in draft could work here.

We need a DE and a DT more than anything. WE need to generate some pressure from the line or anything we do in the secondary is useless.

[calico]

We need to spend some money on the front 4 in a DT DE. A FS is a must now as is another CB.

Even some talent at WR should be brought in because I am not sure Morgan will make it out of training camp right now.

[jterrell]

and would it be wise to make such a big financial commitment to all four???
and would it be wise to go after them all?

-Jerry Porter--He is finishing the season strong and with his measurable he surely has a big pay day ahead of him.

-Darrin Howard-Looking for Grant Winstrom money????

-Kendrell Bell-Injured player in the past but when healthy very good.

-Jason Ferguson- ties to Parcells. Looking for Robaire Smith Money???

All four big names above would be a stretch but would add three upgrades to the front 7 and also adding a big play reciever. We would still have holes at QB, secondary and OG but it would really free us up to take the best player available with our first three picks in the draft.

Thoughts?

Can we afford all 4? YES.

Should we sign all 4? I dont think so.

I dont like Darren Howard much at DE. His price will be astronomical and he is a mediocre player. He had 11 sacks as a rookie building a rep as a good pass rusher but has been below double digits the last 4 years.
6,8,5,8.5 are his totals from the past 4 years.
He'd just be another Wiley type. A mediocre DE.

He isn't a Kearse, Freeney or Peppers type with awesome speed.

Ferguson is likely as a BP player.

Bell could very well end up here as an ILB if we do want to go with the 3-4.

Porter is a nice WR but not a proven stud. I think he'll get a decent contract but nothing outlandish. He's not worth more than 4 mil per(and 8 up front) to me. Say 4 years 16 mil that breaks down more like 3 years 11 mil with 8 up front.

I'd like to see us add at least 4 free agents with one guy a bigger name than is listed here. Julian Peterson perhaps. Pick on teams who cant or won't keep their guys. Tennessee, Oakland, San Fran, Indy.

[Portland Fanatic]

We need a DE and a DT more than anything. WE need to generate some pressure from the line or anything we do in the secondary is useless.
That's why I said in my last sentence besides huge run stuffing DT...this indeed is the biggest need. In addition we need a better CB and Safety on the field...hopefully we will land a stud LB too. I think Ahmad Brooks is reasonable where we will draft...this guy would be a great addition.

[chicago JK]

Can we afford all 4? YES.

Should we sign all 4? I dont think so.

I dont like Darren Howard much at DE. His price will be astronomical and he is a mediocre player. He had 11 sacks as a rookie building a rep as a good pass rusher but has been below double digits the last 4 years.
6,8,5,8.5 are his totals from the past 4 years.
He'd just be another Wiley type. A mediocre DE.

He isn't a Kearse, Freeney or Peppers type with awesome speed.

Ferguson is likely as a BP player.

Bell could very well end up here as an ILB if we do want to go with the 3-4.

Porter is a nice WR but not a proven stud. I think he'll get a decent contract but nothing outlandish. He's not worth more than 4 mil per(and 8 up front) to me. Say 4 years 16 mil that breaks down more like 3 years 11 mil with 8 up front.

I'd like to see us add at least 4 free agents with one guy a bigger name than is listed here. Julian Peterson perhaps. Pick on teams who cant or won't keep their guys. Tennessee, Oakland, San Fran, Indy.
Good response. Should be a fun offseason. Peterson will be interesting to watch. He is represented by the Postons and they turned down a wealthy offer before he was injured. I am sure getting Peterson a big deal will be number one on their offseason priority list to end some of the bad press they have received. They will not be fun to deal with.

[ghst187]

i'd really like Baxter on our team since he can also play FS. Lucas would be nice also though.
Maybe Ferguson or Corey Simon.
Bell at LB would be great.
Porter would be a great addition IMO. I'd prefer to have Mike WIlliams via draft though.
Howard would be a very welcome addition also.
Also adding DJ or Brooks at LB in the draft and it'd be a huge offseason.

[boysfanindc]

I dont like Darren Howard much at DE. His price will be astronomical and he is a mediocre player. He had 11 sacks as a rookie building a rep as a good pass rusher but has been below double digits the last 4 years.
6,8,5,8.5 are his totals from the past 4 years.
He'd just be another Wiley type. A mediocre DE.

He isn't a Kearse, Freeney or Peppers type with awesome speed.


I have to disagree on Darren Howard. He is no Wiley IMO, Wiley was on the decline before we signed him. His last big sack year was in 2001 and had seriously declined every year since then. Take away his huge sack year of 13 in 01 and he has averaged about 4 sacks a year. We are getting from him what we should of expected.

Darren on the other hand is improving not declining. He has 8.5 sacks at this point in the year and is 2 years younger the Wiley, the Saints know they are not going to sign him and have been working in the rookie Will Smith almost half the snaps this year and Howard is still putting up the numbers. You take away Howard's big sack year of 11 in 00 and he is averaging about 7 sacks a year and improving.

Howard is a very good end who is getting better, the question is going to be money, he most likely does want Winstrom money. Because he pretty much gives you the same production. Winstrom is a better tackler but are about equal pass rushers.

Howard is no Wiley.

[kevwun]

I don't want anything to do with Jerry Porter. He's been on the verge of greatness for the last 3 years. He might have all the physical tools, but he's missing "it".

[Portland Fanatic]

I have to disagree on Darren Howard. He is no Wiley IMO, Wiley was on the decline before we signed him. His last big sack year was in 2001 and had seriously declined every year since then. Take away his huge sack year of 13 in 01 and he has averaged about 4 sacks a year. We are getting from him what we should of expected.

Darren on the other hand is improving not declining. He has 8.5 sacks at this point in the year and is 2 years younger the Wiley, the Saints know they are not going to sign him and have been working in the rookie Will Smith almost half the snaps this year and Howard is still putting up the numbers. You take away Howard's big sack year of 11 in 00 and he is averaging about 7 sacks a year and improving.

Howard is a very good end who is getting better, the question is going to be money, he most likely does want Winstrom money. Because he pretty much gives you the same production. Winstrom is a better tackler but are about equal pass rushers.

Howard is no Wiley.
Will you be shocked if Wiley stays another year?

[boysfanindc]

I would be very suprised not shocked, Wiley has played better in the last of couple of games, but I do not think we can afford his lack of pressure again next year.

But hey what do I know I thought for sure we would sign a corner and a tackle last year.

[Portland Fanatic]

I would be very suprised not shocked, Wiley has played better in the last of couple of games, but I do not think we can afford his lack of pressure again next year.

But hey what do I know I thought for sure we would sign a corner and a tackle last year.
Just get this feeling BP will give him another year...you know that not so fresh feeling. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/cowboyszone/puke.gif

[boysfanindc]

I hope you are wrong, he is a stuborn SOB though.

I not sure what he has seen to give him another year, but as you know he understands things us simple fans could never hope too. :confused: