Saints Reel In DT Young, MLB Simoneau
Team pulls starting DT, competing MLB off open market with new three-year deals; more

Saints DT Brian Young

posted February 29, 2008 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

The Saints have yet to sign a new free agent in the 2008 open market, but they have traded for a big one and re-signed several key elements of their own formula so far.

The two latest re-signings were announced Friday: DT Brian Young and MLB Marc Simoneau.

DT Brian Young, 6'2, 298, who will be 31 in July, has re-signed in New Orleans for three years, $12 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus. It is a reasonable deal for a rotation defensive tackle.

Young is a classic slasher interior lineman, relying on speed and quickness to penetrate gaps. He is most effective when paired on the interior line next to a large space-eating defensive tackle who can force a double team. Young and Hollis Thomas, when healthy, have provided an effective interior tandem for the Saints inside. But too often Thomas had to leave the field, or Young was inactive because of injury.

Young missed seven games in 2007 and was haunted by a nagging knee injury that required numerous medical procedures. Young also broke his foot while weightlifting and missed training camp. Young's play, however, triggered the Saints' four-game winning streak in 2007, as he recorded a sack in three straight games starting in Seattle.

ESPN is also providing contract details for a new contract signed by Mark Simoneau: three years, $4.9 million with a $1.4 million upfront, also a generous but reasonable deal for a player who apparently will be a second string MLB with the arrival of Vilma.

Along with Brian Simmons, the Saints have a trio of experienced middle linebackers. It is likely that the Saints will enter training camp without Simmons on the roster, or perhaps having moved him to outside linebacker.

Simmons is due a base salary of $3.3 million, more than both Simoneau and Vilma combined in 2008, and will be likely be released or asked to restructure a three-year contract he signed less than 12 months ago.

Simoneau, 31, 6'0, 245 pounds recorded 70 tackles as the Saints' starting middle linebacker in 2007 and had 62 in 2006. Simoneau arrived in a trade that sent WR Donte Stallworth to the Eagles two seasons ago and has been the Saints solid but unspectacular middle linebacker since.

Simoneau looks to return as competition at best for Vilma, who is six years younger. At worst for the team, Simoneau is continuity and insurance should Vilma's knee problems linger.

Notes: The New Orleans Voodoo will open their regular season tonight with former Saint Zach Hilton starting at wide receiver... Sean Payton will be the headliner at Les Miles' LSU Football Coaches Clinic. The clinic provides high school coaches from the surrounding region a day of meetings and talks by LSU and pro coaches and training staff... The Saints have lost out on CB Asante Samuel, who left New England for Philadelphia, but will meet with Samuel's teammate, former LSU product CB Randall Gay Saturday. Follow all Saints free agent comings and goings at NOPF's Offseason 2008 central.

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