Saints Gab

Rumors continue to float around the league about the movement of some big name players, and one big name that could easily be on the move soon is Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Reports today from the National Football Post state that one team has a close eye on the situation with L.T., and they would have interest if he’s available.

That team – the Saints.

Even with a roster with players that can run the ball like Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, the Saints are going to take a look at Tomlinson, a player that could come cheap after his worst season stat wise in San Diego.

The Chargers have already put the franchise tag on fellow running back Darren Sproles, and with tension still between GM A.J. Smith and Tomlinson, it might be time for the two to part ways, and for the Chargers to get a pick or two for L.T.

Tomlinson has been with the Chargers for the past eight years, and last season he rushed for 1,110 yards and racked up 12 total touchdowns in 2008. Last season was the lowest yardage output of his career.

New Orleans isn’t waiting to lose right tackle Jon Stinchcomb in free agency before courting a potential replacement.

A source said Jacksonville’s Khalif Barnes will visit Sunday with the Saints.

Barnes started 57 of a possible 64 games during four seasons in Jacksonville, including all 16 at left tackle in 2008. Barnes, 26, is versatile enough to play either tackle position.

The Saints are bringing back their top tackler from 2009, as they have re-signed linebacker Jonathan Vilma to a five-year contract. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Vilma, who came to the Saints last season from the Jets, became a free agent after his first season with the Saints. He led the Saints with 151 tackles and three forced fumbles and added a sack and an interception.

Vilma played his first four NFL seasons with the Jets before the Saints acquired him in a trade. The former University of Miami standout was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004. A knee injury cost Vilma the last nine weeks of 2007, but he played all 16 games for the Saints last season.

The Saints have come to terms with former Lions TE Dan Campbell. Here is the report from Pro Football Talk.com:

The New Orleans Saints have signed former Detroit Lions tight end Dan Campbell to a contract, according to Adam Caplan of Scout.com.

A former Texas A&M standout, Campbell is considered a hard-nosed blocking tight end at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds.

Good news today for linebacker Jonathan Vilma, as prosecutors dropped charges of resisting arrest and other crimes today against him as the linebacker agreed to give money to charity and clear up outstanding tickets.

The former University of Miami player was arrested last month during a traffic stop and charged with felony resisting arrest with violence and misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and obstruction of justice.

Vilma will donate $1,000 to a hospital trauma center, said Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office. The officer involved agreed with the decision not to press charges, Griffith said.

In a statement released by the Saints, Vilma thanked prosecutors for their decision.

“As I have indicated in the past, I would vigorously fight any charges filed against me surrounding the incident that occurred,” Vilma said. “I believe the State Attorney’s office did the just and right thing in this matter.”

Defense attorney Michael Tein said his client is relieved and is looking forward to focusing on football again.

Vilma will be a free agent this winter but has said he would prefer to stay in New Orleans. He led the Saints in tackles in his first season with New Orleans after spending his first four years with the New York Jets.

The Times-Picayune is reporting a story that the Saints might be looking to push Usama Young to free safety for the 2009 season. Here is the report:

Head coach Sean Payton said Thursday the Saints have considered moving cornerback Usama Young to free safety. “In Usama’s case, it’s a significant decision because the player is in year four,” Payton said. “I don’t thing we get too (premature) with the decision until we see what happens with the draft and free agency. But it is something we’ve discussed, more in Usama’s case than Mike’s (McKenzie) case.”

With Deuce McAllister gone, what will the Saints do next in the running back spot? One thing they may look to do in the draft or free agency is add some type of power back. Pro Football Weekly talks about the team doing just that in a recent tidbit:

While adding pieces to the defense will be the Saints’ main focus this offseason, head coach Sean Payton said he’ll be looking to for a power running back in free agency or the draft to be used in 3rd-and-short situations. He admitted to having some concerns about the durability of his top two rushers, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, and will pursue a back with “some size” and “staying power inside (the tackles).”

Today’s Times Picayune talks about the Saints possibly landing a safety without having to go out and overpaying for him in free agency – that being the now released Gibril Wilson, who was let go by the Raiders Friday. Here is the report:

The Oakland Raiders released free safety Gibril Wilson on Friday, immediately vaulting him to the head of a thin list of available free agents at the position. Free safety stands out as the Saints’ most glaring need heading into the free agent signing period, which begins Friday. It’s unknown if they will have interest in the 27-year-old Wilson, or if they would be able to afford his price tag.

The running backs continue to fall, as Tuesday the Saints released their all-time leading rusher, Deuce McAllister. The move comes one day after the Jaguars released their all-time leading rusher – Fred Taylor.

The popular McAllister’s release was all salary cap related, as he was due to make over $7 million in the 2009 season. McAllister put up 6,069 yards since being the teams first round draft pick back in the 2001 season.

Word is that the Saints granted McAllister his release so he could seek offers from other teams. He played a limited role in the Saints’ offense this past season with 107 carries for 418 yards. McAllister has had reconstructive surgery on both knees.

“Decisions like this are always very difficult ones to make,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “Deuce has epitomized hard work, leadership and productivity throughout his career and has been a source of great pride for all of us associated with the team.”

McAllister also holds team records for touchdowns (55) and rushing touchdowns (49) and is the only Saints player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season four times.

He played in the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003. His last 1,000-yard season was 2006, when the Saints advanced to the NFC championship game. That also was the season before McAllister’s second anterior cruciate ligament tear.

McAllister’s first ACL tear occurred in his right knee early in the 2005 season and the second in his left knee in the third game of the 2007 season.

The Biloxi Sun-Herald is starting to talk draft already, and one player they think the Saints will take a long look at is Illinois’ Vontae Davis.  Here is the report from the paper:

Despite what some might believe, the Saints aren’t set at cornerback. Tracy Porter and Randall Gay are the only two the Saints may feel fully confident with in the secondary. Mike McKenzie may or may not be back because of his knee injury and/or his contract. Neither Jason David nor Usama Young has proven to be solid on a consistent basis making the Saints always on the lookout for corners. Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins would have been the top corner in last year’s draft class and should solidify that accolade with a good combine. Translation: Jenkins won’t be around when the Saints draft at No. 14. But all the Saints’ eyes will be on Illinois’ Vontae Davis. The brother of San Francisco’s Vernon Davis may have the best ball skills in the draft and Davis has been slated to be a mid-first rounder.