Offseason 2008 Archives

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Player Notes and Stories:

4/25 At this point Friday night, it seems likely that the Saints will end up with one of LSU DT Glenn Dorsey, Giants TE Jeremy Shockey or Eagles CB Lito Sheppard. It is very unlikely they will end up with more than one of them, and also entirely possible the Saints will end up with none of them.

4/25 More reports out of New York indicate that the Saints have increased their offer to their second round pick and their fifth round pick for TE Jeremy Shockey, though other reports indicate that parts of the Saints front office don't want to give up more than a third round pick. The battle is likely between Sean Payton, in favor of bringing in his former student, and Mickey Loomis, who is hesitant to give up part of an already small draft class for a player who has been problematic in the past.

4/25 Published reports out of Philadelphia indicate that the Saints have made the best offer for trade-hungry CB Lito Sheppard. The Saints have offered their second round pick. The Saints are competing with divisional rival Tampa Bay, who has offered WR Michael Clayton and picks for Sheppard.

4/25 Rumors are intensifying around Giants TE Jeremy Shockey crossing paths with the Saints' second round pick on Saturday. The trade could be announced very soon, or could be announced while the Saints are on the clock at #40. We're guessing the latter.

4/25 Trade rumors are swirling and news of a move could break at any time between now and the 10th overall pick. The Saints might move up, move down, or move for a number of veterans including Eagles CB Lito Sheppard and Giants TE Jeremy Shockey.

4/24 The Saints are reportedly shopping left tackle Jammal Brown in trade talks to the St. Louis Rams, who own the second overall pick. The Saints have draft picks Zach Strief and Jermon Bushrod in line to replace Brown at left tackle. Brown has struggled and dominated at times at left tackle for the Saints, but for the most part has been solid.

4/22 Published reports indicate that head coach Sean Payton personally attended a workout by Troy CB Leonis McKelvin in Alabama.

4/22 While we cannot deny the reports of a trade up in the Saints' future, we cannot predict it for our mock draft. So the Saints stay and stay put at #10 in NOPF's fourth mock draft. story The latest mock draft makes use the Saints' top of the first round Draft Board, via NOPF. draft board

4/17 Details on McAllister's restructuring deal have been published by ESPN. The new negotiation secures his 2008 season in New Orleans but likely not his 2009 season. story

4/16 NFL Network is reporting that the Saints and the St. Louis Rams are discussing a trade, for New Orleans to move up to the #2 overall pick. We here think that former Saints coach Jim Haslett would blow a gasket if his team traded the opportunity to pick Glenn Dorsey away to the Saints. On the other hand, the Saints likely covet Dorsey, for need, value and local star power, more than any other prospect.

4/16 Published reports indicate the Saints have met with USC TE Fred Davis and UNC DT Kentwan Balmer. Both are early-second round possibilities for the Saints. NFL teams cannot have private workouts with prospects after this Friday, April 18.

4/14 The NFL's 2008 regular season schedule will be released April 15 at 1pmCST.

4/14 RB Deuce McAllister has reportedly agreed to a new, restructured contract in light of his injuries. He will remain with the team past his April 15 roster bonus. story

4/13 More prospects with private workouts in New Orleans: Miami LB Tavares Gooden, Louisiana-Lafayette DT Korey Raymond, Rutgers OT Jeremy Zuttah, Hawaii CB Ryan Keomaka, Michigan G Adam Kraus, UNLV MLB Beau Bell, TCU LB David Hawthorne, San Jose State CB Dwight Lowery, A pair of McNeese State brothers, defensive backs Bryan and Marcus Brown, also worked out for the Saints. NFL teams are limited to the number of private workouts they can perform each draft season, but they are not limited to the number of local prospects.

4/7 The Saints have announced the signing of veteran defensive back Aaron Glenn. The longtime veteran is entering his 15th season and played for Gary Gibbs in Dallas three seasons ago. story

4/6 Among those who have met with the Saints for pre-draft private workouts: USC DE Lawrence Jackson, Alabama WR DJ Hall, USC DT Sedrick Ellis, Troy CB/KR Leodis McKelvin, Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers, Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston, Auburn DE Quentin Groves and Tulane RB Matt Forte.

4/6 Two Saints earned performance-based bonuses in 2008, part of the players union's program to reward young players with rookie salaries. Budding starts Jahri Evans and Marques Colston, late-round picks by the Saints in 2007, each received a bonus that amounts to more than 70% of their 2007 salaries.

4/3 The Saints open their preseason on Thursday night, August 7 at 7pm on ESPN in Arizona. Dates for the remaining games are not set yet, but the opponents will be Houston at home, yet another preseason trip to Cincinnati, and the exhibition finale against the Dolphins, at home.

4/2 The Times-Picayune has reported the identity of the only player sitting out of the team's voluntary offseason workout program: DE Will Smith. Smith is unhappy with his $1 million salary in the final year of his rookie contract and informed the Saints weeks ago. He has missed two weeks of workouts so far.

4/2 NFLDraftScout.com's Rob "Boomer" Rang hits NOPF with another exclusive: scouting reports on the top 10 defensive prospects in the draft. One of these men is likely to be a Saint. exclusive

4/1 The complete draft order is set. We now know the exact overall pick order of the Saints' late-round picks. Having already traded away their 4th round pick as part of the Jonathan Vilma trade, the Saints own picks in the fifth round (146th), sixth round (178th) and seventh round (218th overall).

3/31 The Saints did not receive a compensatory draft pick in the 2008 draft. Four teams: Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Baltimore each received an extra pick at the end of the third round. The league awarded 32 total compensatory choices to teams who lost more or better free agents than it acquired the previous offseason, based on a complex formula involving salary, playing time and production.

3/30 The Saints may be in line for a compensatory draft pick, to be awarded this week. The Saints lost Montrae Holland, Joe Horn and Omar Stoutmire in free agency 2007.

3/30 The NFL schedule will be released on April 3.

3/28 Former Saint MLB Alfred Fincher has signed in Detroit.

3/27 One-time Saints kicker Olindo Mare has signed in Seattle.

3/26 A number of Saints representatives were on hand at LSU's Pro Day, including defensive line coach Ed Orgeron who personally worked out top prospect DT Glenn Dorsey. story

3/25 According to the 2008 NFL Readers Mock Draft, the Saints will select USC DT Sedrick Ellis.

3/23 The Saints are on the clock in the NOPF Readers Mock Draft. mock

3/22 Olindo Mare (Saints) has visits scheduled with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

3/21 NOPF's updated mock draft has the Saints still taking USC LB Keith Rivers. mock

3/20 The Vikings have signed former Saint and LSU DT Kenderick Allen.

3/19 The Saints have signed former Tampa OL Matt Lehr. The veteran utilityman has played interior lineman, including center, through his seven year career. story

3/19 The Saints are competing with the Broncos for the services of Matt Lehr, whose agent says they are waiting on a similar offer from Denver.

3/19 A Tampa Bay newspaper is reporting that the Saints have offered interior offensive lineman Matt Lehr (Bucs) a contract. Lehr, 29, 6'2, 304, is a journeyman offensive lineman seven years out of Virginia Tech who was a former fifth round pick of the Cowboys. He has played in Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, and was a starter in Dallas and Tampa Bay. He is a versatile, experienced utility lineman. Lehr has progressed through the NFL's substance abuse policy to the point that he was suspended for four games in 2006 after he tested positive. He was linked to confessed steroid distributor David Jacobs, a former NFL trainer who is cooperating in a federal investigation. The Saints are apparently not satisfied with depth inside the offensive line, where Jamar Nesbit, Jonathan Goodwin and Jahri Evans are the starters and second year Andy Alleman leads a list of inexperienced backups.

3/19 It's likely just a case of due diligence, but the Saints sent a scout and quarterbacks coach Pete Carmichael, Jr., to the pro day of Boston College, where top quarterback prospect Matt Ryan worked out for re[resentatives of virtually the entire league. We can't fathom the Saints taking Ryan in the not unlikely scenario where he falls to the 10th spot, but Carmichael, Jr. has also coached wide receivers at the pro level in San Diego and could be taking a look at some of the other late-round prospects on hand, including BC WR Kevin Challenger, two former BC wide receivers and two receivers from Holy Cross and St. Francis colleges who also attended.

3/18 Ex-Saint DB Bryan Scott, once acquired by New Orleans from Atlanta in a trade involving T Wayne Gandy, has re-signed in Buffalo, where he played last season in the Bills' injury-ravaged secondary.

3/18 The Steelers have signed free agent C Justin Hartwig (Panthers), who had been linked to interest from the Saints by John Murphy of Yahoo! Sports.

3/17 The Saints had "nearly perfect" attendance for the start of their offseason conditioning program. story

3/14 The Saints have announced the signing of Mark Brunell.

3/13 According to the Washington Post, veteran QB Mark Brunell will be a Saint. story

3/11 New Orleans hosted free agent veteran QB Mark Brunell on Tuesday in New Orleans. No comment was provided.

3/11 The Times-Picayune has reported that one of the longest current tenured Saints, special teams captain Steve Gleason, has retired from football. Numerous knee injuries throughout his career prompted his retirement at age 31.story

3/10 The Saints will visit with veteran free agent Mark Brunell in search of an upgrade for their backup quarterback job. Backup for the past two years, Jamie Martin, remains an unrestricted free agent.

3/10 Former Falcons RB Warrick Dunn has returned to the team where his NFL career started in re-signing with the Buccaneers.

3/10 The agent for free agent TE Eric Johnson (Saints) has told the AP that Johnson has re-signed in New Orleans with a new one-year contract. story

3/10 According to Yahoo! Sports, the Saints had $31.1 million in salary cap space as of Thursday, March 6. Only Tampa Bay with nearly $43 million had more space available under the cap. On average, teams have $15 million in free space around the league. The Saints will likely use $4-5 million of that on their 2008 rookie class, depending on the annual rookie allocation which will be set after the draft.

3/10 The Saints lost out on free agent QB Trent Green (Dolphins) who returned to St. Louis.

3/7 The Saints have re-signed veteran TE Billy Miller, who will apparently be competing for the starting tight end job. story

3/6 The Saints have signed free agent LB Dan Morgan (Panthers). story

3/6 Free agent TE Ben Troupe (Titans) has signed in Tampa Bay.

3/5 The Cowboys have signed former Saints backup QB Jason Fife.

3/5 Free agent QB Trent Green (Dolphins) left New Orleans without signing a contract and visited with the Rams on Wednesday. He's also drawn interest from the Packers and Giants.

3/5 Free agent TE Ben Troupe (Titans) has left visits in New Orleans and Buffalo without a contract. Troupe visited New Orleans on Monday and the Bills on Tuesday, who also visited with free agent TE Courtney Anderson (Falcons) and one time-Saint FB Corey McIntyre (Falcons). The Bucs are reportedly also interested in Troupe.

3/5 Former Tulane QB and current Bills backup JP Losman is on the trade market and is reportedly drawing interest from Minnesota.

3/5 Free agent DE Travis Laboy (Titans) has signed in Arizona. Laboy was scheduled to meet the Saints before Bobby McCray signed.

3/4 Short-time Saint LB Matt McCoy, claimed off of waivers late last season from the Eagles, has signed in Tampa Bay. The team apparently chose not to tender McCoy, who was eligible for restricted free agency. The Saints have only lost two free agents this offseason, both to Tampa.

3/4 The Saints are meeting with free agent TE Ben Troupe (Titans) on Tuesday.

3/4 The Saints crank up their offseason conditioning program on March 17. The Saints will be shooting a new series of television commercials on March 18.

3/3 WR Devery Henderson turned down three years in Tampa Bay for a one-year contract in New Orleans.

3/3 NOPF has posted an updated mockdraft, version 2.0. mock

3/3 Former Saints first round pick G Chris Naeole has been released by the Jaguars.

3/3 The Lions reportedly were desperately trying to outbid the Saints for MLB Jonathan Vilma's services.

3/3 The Saints have announced a new two-year contract for WR David Patten, meaning that the Saints will enter training camp 2008 with essentially the same wide receiver depth chart as they had last year, plus what is hopefully a healtier Robert Meachem. story

3/3 The Saints visited with QB Trent Green on Monday. Green has suffered a pair of devastating concussions in recent years but at age 37, is confident and medically cleared to play the backup role for some team. The Saints' aged backup for the past two years, Jamie Martin, is a free agent.

3/3 The Saints plan to meet with free agent TE Ben Troupe (Titans).

3/2 The Saints have signed CB Randall Gay and DE Bobby McCray to long term contracts. story

3/1 The Times-Picayune reports that the Saints have not approached RB Deuce McAllister about restructuring his contract. His rehab is on track and he is expected to participate in the Saints' offseason conditioning program later this month, and is due a $1 million roster bonus in two weeks.

3/1 Free agent DE Travis Laboy (Titans) has delayed then canceled his visit to New Orleans, which means that he will likely sign in Cleveland.

3/1 Former Dallas CB Jacques Reeves never visited with the Saints as planned; Houston signed him before he left town.

3/1 Former Saints S Sammy Knight has signed with the New York Giants.

3/1 The Bears have re-signed LB Lance Briggs to a six-year contract.

3/1 Former Saint WR Donte Stallworth has signed a long-term contract with his fourth NFL team, the Cleveland Browns.

3/1 The Bucs have signed former Haslett-era draft pick TE John Gilmore, though Gilmore never played for the Saints and has spent most of his career in Chicago.

3/1 The Redskins and Bears have emerged as the leading bidders for free agent LB Lance Briggs (Bears), according to multiple reports.

3/1 The Saints have re-signed WR Devery Henderson and RB Aaron Stecker, both of whom were pursued by the Buccaneers. The Saints have released MLB Brian Simmons. story

3/1 LB Lance Briggs is still on the market, and reported interest in him has been scarce. Various sources are starting to wonder what is up. Chicago and New Orleans remain the most logical teams to land him, as Briggs is probably best as a coverage-focused weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, and the Saints are relatively weak at the position with the stable but limited Scott Shanle.

3/1 The Saints may not be totally out of the running to bring back WR Devery Henderson, according to the Times-Picayune. Henderson is drawing interest from the Bucs.

3/1 Are there are ex-Saints the Bucs don't want? Tampa is expected to host free agent TE Eric Johnson for a visit soon.

2/29 The Saints are reportedly interested in meeting with former Dolphins, Chiefs, Rams and Redskins QB Trent Green. The Saints' backup QB for the past two years, Jamie Martin, is an unrestricted free agent.

2/29 Should the Saints let CB Randall Gay (New England) escape New Orleans without a contract on Saturday, he'll then go to Tampa Bay on Monday and the New York Jets later in the week. Gay played football at LSU, but also played for Jets head coach Eric Mangini in New England.

2/29 The Saints met with free agent DB Aaron Glenn today. The journeyman veteran last played with Jacksonville but played with Dallas, Houston and New York.

2/29 The Saints have officially announced the acquisition of LB Jonathan Vilma from the Jets. Loomis quickly spoke to assuage injury concerns: "We are aware and comfortable with his progress in returning from the injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2007 season. We’ve consulted with our medical staff and spent time investigating the particulars surrounding the injury and we’re confident that he will return to the standard of play that he set through the first three-and-a-half years of his career.” story

2/29 Simoneau's re-signing and Vilma's acquisition invalidates NOPF's recent Mock Draft attempt, where the Saints selected Penn State MLB Dan Connor. Mock it while it is still our most recent effort, we will be revising over the weekend. mock

2/29 Reports out of San Diego indicate the Saints are interested in free agent RB Michael Turner, super reserve behind LaDainian Tomlinson in recent seasons. Turner will visit Atlanta.

2/29 We are anticipating confirmation from the Saints on the deals for Vilma, Young and Simoneau.

2/29 Looking for a third defensive end to apparently replace DE Renaldo Wynn in the line rotation, the Saints will host free agents Travis Laboy (Tennessee) and Bobby McCray (Jacksonville) on Saturday. Unlike Wynn, Laboy and McCray are not big enough to slide inside but would fill the role of situational pass rushers.

2/29 Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that the Saints will meet with free agent CB Randall Gay (Patriots) on Saturday, the second day of free agency. Gay played for Louisiana State.

2/29 The Vilma trade is all but done, but is waiting league approval. As we reported earlier, Vilma apparently passed a physical in New Orleans with Saints team doctors four days ago.

2/29 ESPN is reporting that the draft pick given up by the Saints for Jonathan Vilma is a fourth round pick in 2009 that could upgrade to a third round pick.

2/29 DT Brian Young 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. 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. story

2/29 FOX Sports is reporting that free agent WR Devery Henderson will visit with Tampa Bay as well, providing a possible free agent trifecta for the Bucs who have already signed Jeff Faine and want to visit with RB Aaron Stecker. In the last two games Henderson has played against the Bucs, he has three touchdowns, 156 yards on only four catches.

2/29 Brian Young has an offer to return to the Saints, and ESPN is reporting he declined an offer to visit another team.

2/29 Times-Picayune is reporting that the Vilma trade is a done deal. No details yet available on the conditional draft pick(s) involved.

2/29 Various reports are surfacing that the Eagles will sign CB Asante Samuel (New England). The Saints, rumored to be in Samuel as well, have likely retained a cooler head about his negotiations and been outbid.

2/29 The Bucs didn't just sign Jeff Faine, they gave him $15 million in guaranteed money and close to $40 million over six years, half that money coming in the next three seasons. All this for an undersized center who must rely on flawless leverage technique? The last two starters at center for the Saints, LeCharles Bentley and Faine, have left New Orleans for huge money; each has become the top-paid center in the league.

2/29 Published reports indicate that the Saints will visit with free agent CB Jacques Reeves (Dallas).

2/29 Top free agent CB Asante Samuel (New England) is visiting the Eagles. Earlier rumors indicated that the Saints were hot on Samuel's trail as well.

2/29 According to ESPN, the Saints may be making more than one New York trade. In addition to acquiring Jets MLB Jonathan Vilma (not official yet), the Saints are interested in trading for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey.

2/29 Scout.com is reporting that the Saints have re-signed DT Brian Young and MLB Mark Simoneau.

2/29 The 49ers have signed former Saints draft pick and backup QB J.T. O'Sullivan.

2/29 In addition to signing Jeff Faine, Tampa Bay may look to bring back one of their own in RB Aaron Stecker. The Saints allowed Stecker to hit the open market today. Stecker left Tampa Bay for New Orleans in 2004 for a four-year contract that has expired.

2/29 Former Saints center Jeff Faine has signed in Tampa Bay. Faine was the Saints' starter for two years after being acquired in a 2006 Draft Day trade from Cleveland.

2/28 The Chiefs will reportedly visit with free agent C Jeff Faine (Saints).

2/28 Rob "Boomer" Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has provided an NOPF-Exclusive review of the top Louisiana-born prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. You'll only find these scouting reports at NOPF: Louisiana Prospects

2/28 Jets are reportedly close to ending the Saints' winter-long quest for a new middle linebacker. MLB Jonathan Vilma is a gamble in the middle of major knee surgery recovery. story

2/27 NOPF has reticently released its first Mock Draft for the 2008 NFL Draft. mock

2/27 Media reports indicate that the Saints have met with Jets LB Jonathan Vilma, who is under contract but has been given permission to seek a trade. Vilma is recovering from major knee surgery.

2/27 The Saints have cut K Olindo Mare after a failed physical. story

2/27 The Saints have re-signed G Jamar Nesbit and C Jonathan Goodwin. story

2/26 The Saints were interested in former 49ers MLB Derek Smith before he signed in San Diego.

2/25 The Saints have been linked to pursuit of to-be-free agent CB Asante Samuel from New England.

2/23 Former Miami LB Zach Thomas has returned to his home state of Texas and signed with the Cowboys.

2/22 The Saints have re-signed WR Terrance Copper to a two-year contract, according to the Times-Picayune. story

2/22 The Saints have offered former Miami MLB Zach Thomas and visited with former Carolina MLB Dan Morgan. There should not be any question that the Saints are looking to upgrade the position, where Marc Simoneau looks to hit free agency. story

2/21 The Saints have signed street free agent WR Carlton Brewster. story

2/15 The Saints have lost key front office executive Russ Ball to the Packers. story

2/13 The Saints have re-signed K Martin Gramatica. story

2/13 The Saints have signed street free agent CB Greg Fassitt (Bears). story

2/12 The Saints have hired two new assistant coaches. story

1/19 Underclassmen in the 2008 NFL Draft: story

1/15 The Saints have signed street free agent FB Kevin Dudley.

1/7 The Saints have signed street free agent WR Titus Ryan.

1/3 The Saints signed five street free agents after their regular season ended: G Tim Duckworth, WR Skyler Green, TE Buck Ortega, CB Anwar Phillips, DE Josh Savage. story

12/31 The Saints own the 10th overall draft pick. story

10/23 Changes to this year's NFL Draft include shortening round one from 15 minutes to 10, shortening round two from 10 minutes to 7, moving round three to Day 2 of the draft, moving the start of the process to 2pmCST on Saturday instead of the usual 11pm and moving the start of day two up one hour to 9amCST.