ESPN: Saints add Spiller, deal Kenny Stills

[jobberone]

Saints add Spiller, deal Kenny Stills
Updated: March 13, 2015, 10:11 PM ET
By Mike Triplett | ESPN.com

Spiller Joins Saints' Crowded Backfield

Adam Schefter discusses the news that the Saints have reached an agreement with RB C.J. Spiller.

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints continued their extreme makeover with another flurry of moves Friday.

The Saints signed former Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller, traded receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round draft pick, and released backup cornerback Corey White.

Spiller's deal is $18 million over four years with $9 million guaranteed and a $5 million signing bonus, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Stills trade was the biggest surprise among Friday's moves because he is a young, cheap player on the rise. Now New Orleans has traded away two of its top receiving targets after trading tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the week.

However, Stills was another wanted commodity the Saints felt they could use to help in other areas. General manager Mickey Loomis explained after the stunning Graham trade that the Saints felt like bold moves were necessary after last year's disappointing 7-9 campaign and that they especially wanted to add resources they could use to help fix their defense.

The Saints have now added four players this offseason (Spiller, Ellerbe, cornerback Brandon Browner and center Max Unger) while trading away Graham, Stills and guard Ben Grubbs and releasing linebacker Curtis Lofton, running backPierre Thomas and White.

New Orleans now has two first-round picks and two third-rounders in this year's draft.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12475468/cj-spiller-new-orleans-saints-agree-contract

 

[yimyammer]

How did they get another 1st round pick?

 

[PoundTheRock]

How did they get another 1st round pick?

They traded Jimmy Graham.

 

[jobberone]

I put this in Fan Zone for a short while because many here hoped Spiller would sign with Dallas.

If I'm away for too long could another Mod move this to the NFL Zone.

 

[yimyammer]

They traded Jimmy Graham.

Doh! my memory..smh......thx

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

saints are reloading.

 

[Nightman]

saints are reloading.

For a team in 'cap hell' they were able to keep Ingram, sign Spiller and Browner and take back Unger in the Graham trade.

 

[Corso]

saints are reloading.

It's interesting to see these teams in the off season look to shore up their running games now.
The eagles are shredding cap for it, the Saints are trading receiving pieces and solidifying their running game also.
More teams are embracing the run the past few years after it was getting chiseled in stone that it was pretty much dead in this passing league.

It looks like the 2014 Dallas Cowboys was the straw that broke the camel's back to bring back the run.
I'm willing to wager RB's go off the board much earlier than expected in this draft.
I guess we'll see if that's the truth.

 

[Stash]

I would have liked to get into a deal for Stills. Good, young, cheap, and fast. Would have added a speed element out passing game lacks a bit.

 

[xwalker]

For a team in 'cap hell' they were able to keep Ingram, sign Spiller and Browner and take back Unger in the Graham trade.

Yes, it's really odd, especially spending that much at RB.

 

[Nightman]

Yes, it's really odd, especially spending that much at RB.

Like Corso said teams are trying to copy Dallas and Seattle with the running game. NO struggles outside the Dome and they need more balance om Offense. They still have Cooks and Colston after losing Graham and Stills and can add a TE or WR in the draft.

 

[jazzcat22]

If it was true, they were trying to deal Brees. Would anyone be surprised if the took a QB in the draft if available. Not sure who their backup is now.
But if they are looking to rebuild if that's what one can call it. I think it's possible.

Of course that will bring 10,000 threads of why the Cowboys aren't / didn't draft a QB (if they don't draft one) that is.

 

[Hoofbite]

I like Cooks. I can see why Stills is expendable.

 

[ShiningStar]

well another team trying to make things look good. Dont know if it helps the record, but it gets their fans talking. Ours are just silent. Maybe we think the comp draft picks will help morale?

 

[Gridiron Man]

Saints signed RB C.J. Spiller to a four-year, $18 million contract with $9 million guaranteed.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5566/cj-spiller

Saint's seem to do well with the RBBC approach. There was good reason to like Spiller but at that cost? Only time will tell. Here's to hoping McFadden proves everyone wrong.

 

[CowboyChris]

saints are reloading.

you mean "rebuilding"

 

[Fletch]

saints are reloading.

With what? Lol The cupboard is bare. I hope the Saints are wretched this season. All is right in the NFL when the Saints are bottom-feeders.

 

[John813]

I would have liked to get into a deal for Stills. Good, young, cheap, and fast. Would have added a speed element out passing game lacks a bit.

Considering what they traded for, their asking price must of been pretty low. Unless Ellerbe can contribute in the 3-4, he's not that good and comes with a big cap hit

 

[Stash]

Considering what they traded for, their asking price must of been pretty low. Unless Ellerbe can contribute in the 3-4, he's not that good and comes with a big cap hit

I know he re-worked his deal with the Saints, but he was a player who was going to be cut anyway, so I put his trade value at about zero.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I actually thought the Graham trade was pretty shrewed. A first round pick and a young Pro Bowl Center is a good haul for a TE, Elite or not