by Lee Brecheen
February 17, 2010 - The New Orleans Saints are in great position like all great teams to repeat in 2011 and win the Super Bowl again. The Saints have a great young QB in Drew Brees, a young talented offensive line, great young Wide Receivers, a great young Running Back in Pierre Thomas, and if they’re sign the gifted Reggie Bush, a great one two punch. What the New Orleans Saints could use is someone to help Will Smith inside at Defensive Tackle, who could possibly dominate, and someone who has as much upside as Will Smith manning the other Defensive end position. If the Saints can sign a big time free agent or draft a big time LB to go with a Jonathan Vilma, the defense will be even better in the 2010-2011 season. Also the team needs a safety in waiting for the older Darren Sharper either through the draft or free agency. Can you imagine a better defense for the New Orleans Saints with Greg Williams running the show? How scary that would be for other teams next season. Here are some free agents to think about with Louisiana ties or Gregg Williams ties that could be with the Saints next year. Remember winning creates more players taking, or willing to take pay cuts to be on a winning team, and a team that could repeat. Remember after the New England Patriots won their first Super Bowl, all the great players wanted to join up and play with Tom Brady. The same thing will happen for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
Defensive lineman - Louisiana Natives
The Dallas Cowboys’ Marcus Spears plays Defensive Tackle or Defensive End and is 6-4, 310 pounds. He’s played in the shadow of Demarcus Ware for four years and he played football at LSU. Marcus would make a great addition. You would be getting a player who is going into his fifth year of NFL ball. That means experience and upside to peak and play in front of his home state.
The New England Patriots’ Jarvis G reen (6-3, 285) who plays Defensive End or Defensive tackle played in shadow of Richard Seymour for a few years, and is one of New England’s’ biggest leaders. Jarvis played High School ball at Donaldsonville High School and played in college for LSU. Jarvis still has a lot of snaps left in him at a high level to compete. Green would be a great addition. He has three Super Bowl Rings.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Defensive End Jason Hatcher (6-7, 300), played college ball at Grambling and played in High School at Jena High School which is right outside Alexandria. Hatcher has been very good for Dallas. He has the ability to rush the passer, and he’s tough to block. He has a lot of experience.
Gregg Williams Ties
Defensive Tackle John Henderson (6-7, 330 pounds), who played at Tennessee in college, was a big time player in college, and a big time player in the NFL. This veteran was coached by Gregg Williams for one year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. John is hard to move, and would make a great addition.
Linebacker Clint Ingram (6-2, 245) who played for Oklahoma and Bob Stoops is one of the top 10 Linebacker’s in the league. He also played for Gregg Williams with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Clint is one of the up and coming Linebackers in the NFL for greatness. He can play middle or Outside Linebacker. It would be scary if this guy played next to Vilma for the Saints.
Safeties Louisiana Ties
Ryan Clark (5-11, 210), played high school ball in New Orleans at Archbishop Shaw. He is a big time leader for the Pittsburgh Steelers and would be a great addition to the Saints. He could be someone they could get to compete with Roman Harper. He made a name for himself at LSU in college where he called the defensive plays and he does the same for the Steelers. He has two Super Bowl rings.
Mark Roman (6-0, 200) played high school ball at New Iberia where he played Running Back and made All State. In college, he played only three years for LSU and has been a big time leader and hitter for the San Francisco 49ers for a long time. Mark could play either SS/FS, and is known for his hitting and fearlessness to tackle.
Hiram Eugene (6-1, 200) played high school ball at Jeanerette, which is by Lafayette, LA. Coming out of high school, Hiram signed with LA Tech, but he played two years at a Junior College. He has stuck with the Oakland Raiders for several years as a big time player in nickel situations.
Quarterback Louisiana Ties
The talented QB Patrick Ramsey (6-3, 225) has played for a few teams, but he keeps finding work because he’s got a lot of experience and a really good arm. Patrick could sign if the Saints choose to go in another Direction with veteran Mark Brunell or if Mark retires. This would be a great addition, for a team that needs a backup with a lot of experience. Patrick was great at Tulane, and he played for Ruston High School in north Louisiana. This is a QB that I think would upgrade the position as a backup. Chase Daniel was a rookie last year, and he still needs some time to develop. He’s currently a backup to Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans.
Players Who If They Take a Pay Cut or Work Within the Salary Cap, Would Make Great Additions to the Saints Defense as Free Agents
The gifted LB, Keith Bullock (6-3, 245) is one of the great Pass coverage linebackers in the NFL. He intercepted Drew Brees twice two years ago in the same game in pass coverage. This guy is a big time hitter, leader, and free agent at the moment. He will probably go into the NFL Hall of Fame one day. In college he played at Syracuse University. He currently plays for the Tennessee Titans, and is one of the current leaders in the NFL among active linebackers for career interceptions.
Julius Peppers (6-6, 280) is the best Defensive End in the NFL. Peppers goal of going to a Super Bowl might be a good thing going into the Saints corner with the chance to repeat and make the Saints defense great over night. I would give the Saints 14 to 17 Sacks potential in a year, and many QB hurries. Peppers would give the Saints something they haven’t had in many years a sack specialist.
Karlos Dansby (6-4, 245) played college ball at Auburn, and many years currently with the Arizona Cardinals. Many people say he’s the reason for the turnaround for Arizona. Everyone says Kurt Warner at QB, but the QB of their Defense has been Dansby. He’s big, fast, can cover, and can rush the passer. Dansby would be a great addition if Scott Fugita doesn’t resign.
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