N.O. has big ‘12 offseason tasks

Monday, Jan. 23
January 23, 2012
Kate Cleo Cherry Ivey
January 26, 2012
Monday, Jan. 23
January 23, 2012
Kate Cleo Cherry Ivey
January 26, 2012

The New Orleans Saints were so close in 2011-12.

In this humble man’s eyes, they were less than 20 seconds away from winning the Super Bowl.


Or at the absolute least, making it to the Super Bowl.


You know it. I know it. They would have tarred and feathered the Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

This isn’t an LSU/Alabama thing.


That rematch would have ended the exact same way the first game ended n in a drumming.


But ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ are for Cubs’ fans n the Saints fell short and weren’t the cream of the crop this season.

The next step is the offseason n an exciting time for most football fans.


The Saints and their faithful should be equally excited, because there are opportunities to better the roster this spring and summer.


I urge you all to proceed with caution, because this may be the most challenging offseason the Black and Gold have ever faced.

And a handful of decisions the team’s executives face could shift the pendulum of success either up or down for the next decade.


The big elephant in the room is soon-to-be free agent Drew Brees.


Don’t panic.

Everything’s going to be OK.


The odds of him being anywhere other than New Orleans next year are slim to none.


Yes, Brees is a free agent this offseason and in theory, he is free to negotiate with other teams if he chooses to do so.

Reports surfaced in the early portions of the season that the team attempted to negotiate a contract extension with the quarterback, but the sides were “several millions” apart.


Even if an extension is reached and Brees gets a sizeable raise (which he greatly deserves), what’s the cost? If the quarterback makes $8 million more than he did in previous years, that’s $8 million that can’t go other places on the roster.


AKA, someone’s going to have to take a pay cut or be released altogether.

The Saints do have the ultimate power in that if contract extension talks break down, the team can apply the franchise tag to the quarterback and keep him in New Orleans.


So again, I caution you n there’s no reason to panic.


The odds of Brees being in New Orleans next season stand at 99.9 percent. Actually it’s far closer to 100 percent than it is to 99.8 percent, as well. I’m just merely letting you all know the landscape and the sensitivity of which the team must proceed going forward.

Because let’s be real n New Orleans without Drew Brees is like New Orleans with Aaron Brooks n not very good.


Brees’ situation aside, the Saints do have other issues they need to address.

The first is No. 1 wide receiver Marques Colston, who is also a free agent.

Unlike Brees, Colston could legitimately make a jump to greener pastures if the Saints do not make an offer the receiver deems fair, or if another team makes an offer that is perhaps more than fair.

And make no mistake about it, teams have been known to overreact and overpay to get a player that they believe can help their team.

I’m sure there are a total of 31 teams lined up who will be interested in a perennial 1,000 yard receiver.

Losing Colston would be a big blow, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world n Brees still has a slew of weapons at his disposal and Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem will all be back in the team’s passing attack barring extremely unforeseen circumstances.

A bigger blow is likely to come along the offensive line where offensive guard Carl Nicks is “expected to leave New Orleans,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Of course, if the Saints reach a long-term agreement with Brees, they could then use the franchise tag on Nicks, who is looking for a similar contract teammate Jahri Evans.

Remember the licks Brees took against the 49ers? Not having Nicks in the middle could make that more commonplace. Keeping him in house must be a priority. Likewise, if he bolts, finding a replacement with solid value must also be a priority.

So as one can see, challenges persist and the team will have a lot of work to do if they hope to keep three of their top offensive players on deck.

Defensively is where the team can be a little more creative n if they can find the resources to make it work.

New Orleans has holes up and down its defense.

The Saints could use a defensive tackle. They could use a linebacker … or three.

Really, any linebacker not named Vilma on the entire New Orleans’ roster can be considered a spot where the team needs an upgrade.

They could also use a cornerback and probably a safety or two.

I mean, look at it this way, Saints fans. Do you really think it’s OK to see Roman Harper and the team’s defensive backs get beat time and time again for another season?

If I had to guess, your answer to that question will be a polite, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

With so many holes, the obvious answer for most teams would be to fill their needs in the Draft.

Problem: The Saints don’t have a first round pick, per the Mark Ingram trade.

So plan B would be free agency and we already discussed in detail what the team will be focusing most of its attention on when that time rolls around.

No matter how it’s sliced, this offseason will be a busy one if you’re a Saints fan.

The decisions Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton make will likely be the difference between hosting or traveling to future playoff games.

No pressure, guys.

But the future of the team is squarely in your hands.