New Orleans’ 2009 acquisitions relatively low key

This offseason has been a fairly quiet one for the New Orleans Saints.

There have been no blockbuster deals like the ones that landed Pro Bowlers Jonathan Vilma and Jeremy Shockey from New York (Jets and Giants respectively) last year.

Instead, Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis has signed lower profile, playoff-tested veterans, hoping their success rubs off on his underachieving squad. He also re-signed key pieces of the high-powered offense and hoped to shore up a mediocre defense.

Despite its second consecutive 8-8 season after coming within a game of the Super Bowl in 2006, the club has not made a significant transaction since the April NFL Draft.

With nearly $124.5 million of the $128 million salary cap already committed, there is not much room for additional pickups.

Here is a breakdown of key acquisitions, releases and re-signings:

Feb. 12 – Released WR David Patten

Patten was sidelined for much of the 2008 season. He missed four games with a groin injury and was inactive for the final eight games.

The 13-year veteran played in only five games and caught 11 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown last year. The emergence of Lance Moore as a capable third receiver left Patten expendable.

He signed with the Cleveland Browns in March.

Feb. 17 – Released RB Deuce McAllister

McAllister was a longtime fan favorite not only for his play on the field but for his involvement in Gulf Coast communities with his Catch 22 Foundation.

The Saints let the eight-year veteran go with four years remaining on his $50.1 million contract extension signed in 2005.

The move saved the Saints more then $4 million in salary cap space.

The 30-year-old tailback fell behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas on the depth chart mostly due to continuing knee injuries. McAllister started in 27 of the Saints’ 66 games since signing the contract extension.

Last year, he played in 13 games, starting in six. He rushed for 418 yards on 117 carries and five touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 128 yards and a score.

He is the franchise’s all-time leader in touchdowns scored (55), rushing touchdowns (49), rushing yards (6,096), rushing attempts (1,429), 100-yard rushing games (27) and 1,000-yard rushing seasons (4).

“Decisions like this are always very difficult ones to make,” Loomis said at the time. “He truly ranks as one of the greatest players in our club’s history, and we are very respectful of everything he has meant to the Saints and our community.”

McAllister has yet to sign with another team.

March 3 – Re-signed LB Jonathan Vilma and T Jon Stinchcomb

With a new five-year, $34 million contract and $17.2 million of that guaranteed, the Saints made re-signing Vilma a higher priority than their pressing need for help in the secondary.

Entering his sixth season, Vilma, 27, led the Saints with 151 tackles and three forced fumbles in 2008. He also had a pair of fumble recoveries, a sack and an interception.

He started all 16 games last year at middle linebacker for the Black and Gold and has played in 69 of 71 career contests.

“Jonathan proved he could come back from his (2007 knee) injury and play at a high level and we expect the same or better from him starting this season,” Loomis said.

Stinchcomb, 29, also signed a five-year deal worth $22.5 million, including a $5 million signing bonus and $12 million guaranteed. He has started every game at right tackle for the Saints since earning the position during training camp in 2006.

“He is a player you can count on,” said Saints head coach Sean Payton. “(His) signing will ensure that the foundation we have created with our offensive line stays in place.”

March 4 – Re-signed WR Devery Henderson

The former LSU Tiger had his best year as a pro in 2008. Henderson had a career-high 793 yards on 32 catches. His 24.8 yards per catch average led the NFL.

He signed a four-year, $12 million contract, with $6 million guaranteed and a $3.5 million signing bonus.

A Saints 2004 second round draft pick, Henderson has started 32 of 60 games in his career. He has 106 catches for 2,290 yards, with 14 touchdowns.

“He brings a big-play component to our offense that is important and he is a hard worker who continues to improve,” Loomis said.

March 5 – Signed CB Jabari Greer

The former Buffalo Bills defender signed a four-year, $22 million contract, with $10.2 million guaranteed and a $3 million signing bonus.

Greer, 5-11, 180 pounds, broke into the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2004. With the Bills, he recorded 156 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns last year.

“Jabari is a young and energetic corner and will fit in nicely into our defensive backfield,” Loomis said. “He’s an aggressive player and has outstanding speed and athleticism and translates the skills very well to the football field.”

March 6 – Released FB Mike Karney

The five-year veteran was made expendable with the signing of former New England Patriot fullback Heath Evans on March 5.

Karney finished his Saints career with 79 rushing yards and 295 receiving yards. He scored seven touchdowns, five rushing and two receiving.

Karney signed with the St. Louis Rams on March 11.

March 19 – Released CB Mike McKenzie

Acquired from the Green Bay Packers in October 2004, McKenzie started 62 of 63 games he played for the Saints.

The past two seasons have ended in injuries for the 33-year-old. He suffered a knee injury in 2007, missing the last two games, and a fractured right patella last year, missing the final seven contests.

The 11-year veteran registered 186 tackles and 10 interceptions, two returned for touchdowns as a Saint.

He has yet to sign with another team.

March 24 – Signed S Darren Sharper

Perhaps the Saints’ biggest offseason acquisition, Sharper signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract that includes a $200,000 signing bonus.

The 12-year veteran was brought in from the Minnesota Vikings to improve a secondary derided for giving up big plays in deep pass coverage.

Sharper has 54 career interceptions, the most among active players, with eight interceptions returned for touchdowns (tied for the fifth-most in NFL history). He has also recovered two fumbles for scores.

The 6-2, 210-pound safety has played in 193 games, with 174 starts to his credit, and has racked up 1,042 tackles, nine forced fumbles, seven sacks and seven fumble recoveries.

“Darren is an accomplished veteran player that brings a wealth of knowledge and ability to our secondary and has always possessed outstanding instincts and playmaking skills,” Loomis said.

April 21 – Re-signed G Jahri Evans

Evans signed a one-year, $2.792 million deal.

The 6-4, 318-pounder is considered one of the best right guards in football. He has started every game at right guard since being drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2006 draft.

April 22 – Re-signed WR Lance Moore

The Saints rewarded Moore for his breakthrough 2008 season with a one-year, $1.545 million contract.

Last year, Moore set career highs with 79 catches for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The fourth-year Saint has played in every game the past two seasons, starting in 10 of them.

April 27 – Released DT Brian Young

Knee injuries forced Young to finish the past two seasons on the injured reserve list. He only played in 17 games in that span, starting in 11 contests.

Young retired after being cut.

April 28 – Released NT Hollis Thomas

Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2006 draft day trade, the 13-year veteran missed the first half of the 2008 season with a triceps injury and made seven tackles in the Saints’ final eight games.

Thomas has not signed with another team.