Julius Peppers a Saint???

i can think of one contract that we could lose to get peppers. i would love to see him in black and gold instead of on top of black and gold.

 

correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't there an NFL rule that says teams finishing in the top 8 can't sign any free agents unless they lose one 1st?

 

Peppers would be a great pickup but would be hard to afford unless the season does end up uncapped.

 

Yes, we pretty much have our hands tied here, but we do have the first right of matching any offer our current free agents may receive. From what I have read it appears we only have 2-3 that we could lose. From what I have read though with the exception of 1 maybe 2 we will more than likely keep all of our free agents. Under the new rule most of ours are restricted free agents this year, so we will have the upper hand in negotiations with them. I would think most, like Sharper, will want to stay and the Saints will do what they need to in order to keep them. With no salary cap or floor, the Saints have the negotiating room to keep who they want.

 

But will Benson be willing go much over the current cap to keep the team together? For most of his time has owner he has been very cheap. Hopefully the change in strategy the last few years and the recent results have changed his MO.

 

I think it is very possible. Other than New Orleans the teams in the NFC that will challenge will be:

Dallas - Sorry but i have no faith in a Jerry Jones owned franchise with Wade Philips as head coach. The Offensive line has no depth, the starters are big, but the backups are untested and not very good. Marion Barber is getting older, isn't the same back, Felix is injury prone, Tashard Choice is probably their best long term running back. Roy Williams is a cancer, i like Miles Austin, and Jason Witten of course, but that 2nd receiver needs to be addressed, but won't because of Roy. The defense is going to be one of the best in the NFL, but they are weak at the corner position and safety other than Mike Jenkins who is the lone bright spot in the defensive backfield, Terrance Newman is over rated.

Minnesota - Will Favre be back? That is the biggest question, if he isn't then Minnesota would drop to about the 5th or 6th best team in the NFC.

Green Bay - Honestly i don't understand how Green Bay didn't do better this season. Aaron Rodgers is a stud, they have a talented receiving corp, they need a little depth at RB, and they need some more depth on the OL. The defense just went brain dead at the end of last season and gave up way too many points, but i like what they could be on defense, they could use a rock solid run stuffing defensive tackle, and a speed rusher on the end.

Arizona - Can Matt Leinart lead this team, i don't think so.

Atlanta - Injuries killed the Falcons, and look for them to be a player in the Julius Peppers show. Atlanta could very well be the 2nd best team in the NFC next season, if not the best. Unfortunately they are in the Saints division.

NYG - they are slipping i see them having a similar season in '10.

Philly - If they can get that defense worked out, the young receivers will be more experienced. They still need to find Westbrook's replacement, McCoy is a good back, but he struggles in pass protection and catching out of the backfield, which will come with time, i think Bush would be a good fit there, and i also think they may draft McCluster.

Carolina - if they can find a good quarterback and another good receiver, they may make some noise.


So, i think the Saints if they stay together, can do this again next season. Am i leaving anyone out?

 

I believe we keep most of our free agents...even pony up and pay Bush. No way we get Peppers though...we would have to lose a restricted free agent of that value, which we dont have.

Anyway, I hear Peppers to the ATL is looking like it may happen