The Saints were expecting to host free agent DT Jamal Williams for a visit and contract negotiations today.
Williams never got to New Orleans.
The Broncos offered $7 million guaranteed and $16 million over three years and Williams signed. Denver also picked up ex-Patriot and LSU product DE Jarvis Green today.
QB Drew Brees played with Williams in San Diego and publicly recommended him yesterday.
Another free agent remotely linked to the Saints, ex-Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson is set to visit the Vikings.
March 9, 2010
Turley's soul still "Bleeds Black and Gold"
Former Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley, a 1998 first round pick of the Mike Ditka era, has released his first solo album under the artist name "Turley".
The 12th track on the rock/country album is "My Soul Bleeds Black and Gold" and features the lyrics "Gotta get back to New Orleans/ to their Superdome and the fleur di lis/ I got an itch for a cajun bead/ and you can find me on Bourbon Street".
A starter at both right and left tackle through the Haslett regime, and infamous for his helmet-throwing brawl in defense of Aaron Brooks, Turley was traded to St. Louis in 2004 for a second round pick, a choice that would be wasted by the Saints on bust Notre Dame LB Courtney Watson.
In post-NFL life, Turley has been near the front of the NFL Player union's fight for retiree benefits because Turley appears on the path for serious neurological problems because of his playing time.
The 12th track on the rock/country album is "My Soul Bleeds Black and Gold" and features the lyrics "Gotta get back to New Orleans/ to their Superdome and the fleur di lis/ I got an itch for a cajun bead/ and you can find me on Bourbon Street".
A starter at both right and left tackle through the Haslett regime, and infamous for his helmet-throwing brawl in defense of Aaron Brooks, Turley was traded to St. Louis in 2004 for a second round pick, a choice that would be wasted by the Saints on bust Notre Dame LB Courtney Watson.
In post-NFL life, Turley has been near the front of the NFL Player union's fight for retiree benefits because Turley appears on the path for serious neurological problems because of his playing time.
Saints re-sign UFA CB Leigh Torrence
Free agent cornerback Leigh Torrence, a backup through Week 11 last year before he succumbed to the team's rash of injuries at the position, has been re-signed per online reports. He attended the Hornets game on Monday night.
Torrence has played in 12 games in one and a half seasons with the Saints after being claimed off waivers from the Redskins midway through 2008.
He is five seasons out of Stanford as an undrafted free agent and played in Green Bay, Atlanta and Washington before becoming a Saint.
Torrence's shoulder injury in Tampa Bay in November 2009 forced him to injured reserve. The Saints signed CB Mike McKenzie to fill in. Torrence played sparsely on defense and was mostly used on special teams.
Torrence has played in 12 games in one and a half seasons with the Saints after being claimed off waivers from the Redskins midway through 2008.
He is five seasons out of Stanford as an undrafted free agent and played in Green Bay, Atlanta and Washington before becoming a Saint.
Torrence's shoulder injury in Tampa Bay in November 2009 forced him to injured reserve. The Saints signed CB Mike McKenzie to fill in. Torrence played sparsely on defense and was mostly used on special teams.
March 8, 2010
Sharper's cool free agent market explained
At a public signing appearance in New Orleans, unrestricted free agent Darren Sharper showed up with a clear explanation of his cool free market interest level.
Expected to be one of the hot free agents entering the market, news on his prospects was slim.
The Saints' 2009 starter at free safety showed up at the Prytania Theater walking with the aid of crutches, the result of minor arthroscopic knee surgery. Sharper voiced confidence about his ability to play football in 2010, but the fact remains that Dr. James Andrews cut on Sharper less than a week ago.
Sharper canceled free agent visits he had lined up. This will put the determination of his 2010 off by weeks.
As written earlier, the Saints took a check with me approach with Scott Fujita, only to find the Browns' offer far and away what they were willing to pay. They will take the same approach, perhaps with the same result, with Sharper.
Expected to be one of the hot free agents entering the market, news on his prospects was slim.
The Saints' 2009 starter at free safety showed up at the Prytania Theater walking with the aid of crutches, the result of minor arthroscopic knee surgery. Sharper voiced confidence about his ability to play football in 2010, but the fact remains that Dr. James Andrews cut on Sharper less than a week ago.
Sharper canceled free agent visits he had lined up. This will put the determination of his 2010 off by weeks.
As written earlier, the Saints took a check with me approach with Scott Fujita, only to find the Browns' offer far and away what they were willing to pay. They will take the same approach, perhaps with the same result, with Sharper.
Saints tour veteran d-linemen free agents
With Scott Fujita lost via free agency, the Final 8 rules now allow the Saints to sign a new unrestricted free agent, as long as the first year salary+bonus number is less than what Fujita signed for.
Various online reports indicate the Saints have lined up visits at some point this week with DE James Hall (33), DE Leonard Little (35), and DT Jamal Williams (34 in April).
Williams was actually cut by the Chargers, meaning that the Saints could have signed him before losing Fujita.
The long time St. Louis Ram, Little is expected to visit the Saints later this week. Hall is a New Orleans native who prepped at St. Augustine High School before attending Michigan.
Various online reports indicate the Saints have lined up visits at some point this week with DE James Hall (33), DE Leonard Little (35), and DT Jamal Williams (34 in April).
Williams was actually cut by the Chargers, meaning that the Saints could have signed him before losing Fujita.
The long time St. Louis Ram, Little is expected to visit the Saints later this week. Hall is a New Orleans native who prepped at St. Augustine High School before attending Michigan.
March 7, 2010
Fujita will miss New Orleans
The Saints have a hole to fill at strong-side linebacker for the first time since 2006.
Linebacker Scott Fujita, who signed with the Saints before the 2006, following Sean Payton and Gary Gibbs from Dallas to New Orleans, has signed a contract in Cleveland with the Browns, who pressed upon him a superior contract offer.
Fujita's deal is three years, $14 million in total, more than half of which is guaranteed.
It's not huge money, but apparently more money than the Saints were willing to pay for a 31-year old linebacker, even if he was one of the cogs in the great machine that churned out a Super Bowl win for the Saints in 2009.
Fujita stars for the Saints in NFL Films' Super Bowl coverage, as the Saints' towering #55 wore a microphone for the league. One of the nicest characters came to New Orleans in 2006 at the end of an unimpressive showing for himself in Dallas. He started at strongside linebacker ever since.
He leaves New Orleans in 2010 as the father of twins, a Super Bowl ring, and with a Mike McKenzie-given nickname, "The Asian Assassin."
He was the first player to sign with New Orleans in the new Payton administration. He made his first start for the Saints in 2006 against Cleveland, where the Saints won 19-14. Fujita collected an interception in that game.
Fujita will join the Browns' 3-4 defense, likely as an inside linebacker, a move that could extend his career some as his range decreases with age.
The Browns will play in New Orleans in 2010, when Fujita will return to his adopted city. What will he miss most?
Top 10 Things Fujita will miss about New Orleans:
1. Rock-n-Sake in the warehouse district. Good luck getting good sushi in Cleveland, Scott. Great Lakes tuna doesn't look like Gulf tuna, its not even the same color.
2. For that matter, any of the five restaurants on Scott's website's top restaurants list, which lists Rock-n-Sake plus Jacques-imo’s, Cochon, Emeril’s, and Mr. John’s.
3. Beignets and the French Quarter.
4. The 4-3 defense.
5. The Fujita family loves Disney movies. How many have been about the cultural richness of Cleveland?
6. The air quality in New Orleans. Hey, it ain't great, but it isn't 10th worst in the country.
7. The Mississippi River could kick the Cuyahoga's ass any day. That isn't a thing Scott will miss, just a fact.
8. The happy, hospitable, warm people of New Orleans. That good southern temperament wouldn't ever put the Crescent City on this list of the most miserable cities, where Cleveland is tops.
9. The Cleveland Botanical Garden had a "New Orleans Jazz" exhibit. Do you think the New Orleans Botanical Garden will ever have a Cleveland music scene exhibit? No.
10. Gregg Williams.
Linebacker Scott Fujita, who signed with the Saints before the 2006, following Sean Payton and Gary Gibbs from Dallas to New Orleans, has signed a contract in Cleveland with the Browns, who pressed upon him a superior contract offer.
Fujita's deal is three years, $14 million in total, more than half of which is guaranteed.
It's not huge money, but apparently more money than the Saints were willing to pay for a 31-year old linebacker, even if he was one of the cogs in the great machine that churned out a Super Bowl win for the Saints in 2009.
Fujita stars for the Saints in NFL Films' Super Bowl coverage, as the Saints' towering #55 wore a microphone for the league. One of the nicest characters came to New Orleans in 2006 at the end of an unimpressive showing for himself in Dallas. He started at strongside linebacker ever since.
He leaves New Orleans in 2010 as the father of twins, a Super Bowl ring, and with a Mike McKenzie-given nickname, "The Asian Assassin."
He was the first player to sign with New Orleans in the new Payton administration. He made his first start for the Saints in 2006 against Cleveland, where the Saints won 19-14. Fujita collected an interception in that game.
Fujita will join the Browns' 3-4 defense, likely as an inside linebacker, a move that could extend his career some as his range decreases with age.
The Browns will play in New Orleans in 2010, when Fujita will return to his adopted city. What will he miss most?
Top 10 Things Fujita will miss about New Orleans:
1. Rock-n-Sake in the warehouse district. Good luck getting good sushi in Cleveland, Scott. Great Lakes tuna doesn't look like Gulf tuna, its not even the same color.
2. For that matter, any of the five restaurants on Scott's website's top restaurants list, which lists Rock-n-Sake plus Jacques-imo’s, Cochon, Emeril’s, and Mr. John’s.
3. Beignets and the French Quarter.
4. The 4-3 defense.
5. The Fujita family loves Disney movies. How many have been about the cultural richness of Cleveland?
6. The air quality in New Orleans. Hey, it ain't great, but it isn't 10th worst in the country.
7. The Mississippi River could kick the Cuyahoga's ass any day. That isn't a thing Scott will miss, just a fact.
8. The happy, hospitable, warm people of New Orleans. That good southern temperament wouldn't ever put the Crescent City on this list of the most miserable cities, where Cleveland is tops.
9. The Cleveland Botanical Garden had a "New Orleans Jazz" exhibit. Do you think the New Orleans Botanical Garden will ever have a Cleveland music scene exhibit? No.
10. Gregg Williams.
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