Saints Gab

Blackandgold.com is reporting that one player that has impressed the Saints thus far this offseason is wide out Robert Meachem.  The #1 pick last season has something to prove after missing all 16 games of his rookie year with a knee injury suffered in training camp.  The reports says that Meachem is healthy and it appears ready to make a strong run at becoming the third wide receiver this season, which would be a welcome sign to the Saints.

There are a couple of teams on the list for now Raiders RB Lamont Jordan once he gets released by the team, and on that list according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is the Saints.  Schefter says that with the uncertainty of running back Deuce McAllister, the team wants to make sure they have enough quality backs, and Jordan may fit what they are looking for.  Don’t forget the team also showed interest and even spoke to Shaun Alexander, who is still on the open market.  Other teams that reportedly have interest in Jordan include the Bears and Lions.

From: Pro Football Weekly

Now that DE Will Smith is locked up with the six-year, $70 million contract extension he signed this week, the Saints will next turn their attention to negotiations with WR Marques Colston, who is also looking for a long-term deal. Colston, who caught a single-season team-record 98 passes in ’07, will make $445,000 in base salary this year and become a restricted free agent after the season. He skipped a voluntary workout on June 9.

Will Smith has been pushing the New Orleans Saints for a new deal, and today defensive end got his wish.  Reports are coming out that Smith has signed a new six-year deal with the Saints that will include $26 million in guarantees. The deal is worth $70 million according to the AP.  It makes him the third highest paid defensive end in the league, behind the Vikings Jared Allen and the Colts Dwight Freeney.

Smith was the Saints first-round pick out of Ohio State back in 2004, and made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.  “The Saints really stepped up,” said Smith’s agent, Joel Segal. “It was a long negotiation and a great deal for both Will and the Saints.”

The DE was in the process of skipping most of the teams OTA’s, but now that he is a VERY rich player, most of the hard feelings will be put aside as the Saints get ready for training camp in July.  “He’ll be able to show up for training camp now with nothing on his mind but getting ready for the season and the Super Bowl,” Segal said.

Now it will be up to Smith to step it up, last season his sack numbers dropped from 10.5 in 2006 to 7.  While his tackle numbers were up, the team will count on him even more to be the team leader on the D-line, as well as to make plays and cause havoc in the opponents backfield.

The Sun Herald is reporting that the Saints are going to rest RB Pierre Thomas until the start of training camp next month. Coach Sean Payton says that the status of Thomas as a third-down back and a player that will be a big part of the offense in 2008 will not change. Thomas is suffering from a sore groin, and the team would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to forcing him on the field for practices that really mean nothing when it comes to getting set for the season. The back has been working with the team on third-down packages, as well as getting some reps with the first team in drills over the past few weeks. While Thomas is not the feature back, his play is something that could help the Saints and their fans be on the way to buying Super Bowl Tickets in 2008.

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From: Pro Football Weekly

We hear veteran Mark Brunell looks firmly entrenched as the Saints’ backup quarterback and the apparent No. 3, Tyler Palko — who spent last season on the practice squad — is still getting accustomed to the pro level and the team’s offense. Brunell has been a quick study, and his experience gives him an edge on Palko. The signalcallers are about the same size, and both are left-handed and have similar styles, relying on accuracy rather than great arm strength.

Getting first-round draft pick Sedrick Ellis in by training camp may not be as easy as some think. Word from the Sun-Herald is that the Saints and Ellis’ people have not even started talking about a deal. “I don’t even think there’s been any discussions,” said Ellis. The big part about the deal for Ellis will be what happens with KC first-round pick Glenn Dorsey, who was taken with the 5th pick. Once that deal gets done, the money for Ellis, who was taken at 7, will become a lot more clear. Look for the deal for Ellis to start in early July.

Word is the Saints have fired VP of Player Personnel Rick Mueller. ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that the firing comes after Mueller lost a power struggle with GM Mickey Loomis. The site reports that the struggle may have come from the fact that Loomis is more of a salary cap manager, while Mueller is more into scouting and evaluating. The biggest thing to come from this situation is that Loomis has more power in the organization than Mueller did, which is why today Mueller is out, and Loomis is not.

DE Will Smith wants a new deal, but that didn’t stop him from being at the teams OTA on Tuesday.  Smith didn’t do much at the practice, that due to a sore toe, but being there is a good sign for a player that has been vocal about wanting a lot more money in a new deal.  Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Smith’s agent Joel Segal “are working through the contract and trying to sort things out,” coach Sean Payton said.  Smith was a Pro Bowl selection in 2006, but fell off the mark last season and had seven sacks.  He has one-year left on his deal that will get him about $1.8 million with incentives.