Several questions this week focused on Darren Sharper and whether the Saints are going to keep him and "show him love." Others asked about the Saints' offense, something we haven't touched much on this offseason as we all focused on the defense and, yes, Darren Sharper.
But as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, the Saints are starting to fade a bit from everyone's cerebral cortex. Oh, who am I kidding. I still get asked about the Saints every day.
Today's mailbag is brought to you by the interweb, because without it, there would be no mailbag.
“I’m from New Orleans originally, but I have lived in Nashville for the last 13 years. I see the Eagles have signed a contract to Mike Bell for $1.7 million. Do you think the Saints will match the offer, or let him go to the Eagles? While it would be nice to see them match the offer and bring Bell back, I don’t think it will hurt the team if they let him go because our bench is deep at that position. What are your thoughts?” – Charles Taylor, Nashville, Tenn.
Charles, I think we got a large part of the answer today when we found out that the Saints are hosting running back Justin Fargas for a free agency visit. It’s obviously a trip that was scheduled even prior to Bell signing the offer sheet from Philadelphia. Two things make me believe that keeping Bell wasn’t a huge priority: 1) He barely played by the end of the season despite constantly saying he was healthy in the locker room. 2) The Saints only tendered him at the lowest possible level, which means they weren’t even getting draft pick compensation for him if another team signed him. They were hoping he either stayed at a cheap price or weren’t worried that they couldn’t find a replacement for him.
What position grouping is deepest in the draft? When do you expect the saints to go after a backup QB? – Frank, River Ridge
While I haven’t studied the draft too deeply yet – it doesn’t make sense to me until the Saints make some free agency moves – a cursory look shows that offensive tackle and defensive end appear to be pretty deep positions. That could work out for the Saints, who are in need of a defensive end after letting Charles Grant go and watching Bobby McCray struggle through season-long back pain. And good thing for the Saints, a lot of teams ahead of them are in need of offensive linemen, which means a good defensive end should fall deep in the first round.
“I'm writing to get some information on one of my favorite Saints players, Darren Sharper. Just concerned because he's a MAJOR key player and he did play a major part to help them get to the Super Bowl. Why is it taking so long for the Saints to re-sign him? I think it's really a shame to hold out and act that way with him. Do you think he'll be back as a Saints player next season?” – Shayna
“While I agree that Sharper played an important role for the Saints defense in ’09, I’m also on record as saying that I think people bowed down to him too much. He got a lot of interceptions early on in the season when both Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter were in the lineup. Their play certainly allowed him to roam around and make plays. But when Greer was out, Sharper’s production went way down. He also was exposed several times late in the season as a run stopper. That said, Sharper’s veteran savvy and knowledge of the game absolutely helped the Saints defense this season. New Orleans won’t move, however, until another team sets the price for Sharper. He hasn’t been able to work out because of knee surgery. I would expect him to be back in the black and gold this season.”
“We have heard a lot about the defensive side of the team, with Charles Grant and Scott Fujita gone and "possibly," and I pray not, Darren Sharper. But how's it going on the No. 1 offensive side of things? Are we safe in keeping our outstanding offense together? Please keep Sharper ! -- Daph, New Orleans
“Daph, that’s a great question. The big talk this offseason thus far has been about the Saints moves on defense. Mike Bell is the first offensive hit, but as I wrote earlier, I don’t think the Saints were truly worried about whether he was going to be back or not. All of the main receivers are under contract through next season and the offensive linemen have been tendered. The Saints are currently working on a long-term contract with Jahri Evans and Jammal Brown has been tendered at a level that I don’t expect other teams to jump at immediately. Drew Brees, obviously, will find himself getting a new contract after next season. Lance Moore is a free agent, but I would expect him back.”
“I am concerned that all of the Saints free agents are being picked up by other teams. Is this depleting our team and becoming an issue? What happens if Sharper goes, too? I see Mike Bell is gone - who is next?” – Jani Handwerger, Mobile, Ala.
“And welcome to what apparently is our new weekly question from mom, where my mother emails in. It’s kind of like how she calls in during Fan Chat with me and Jim Henderson. I promise, this is her question. I didn’t send it to her. It’s her own.
“That said, it’s hard to say which Saints will go next, if a Saint goes anywhere. Darren Sharper is the only guy we know of who is openly trying to find a suitor. That said, free agency isn’t depleting the Saints’ roster anymore than it is any other team. Every team loses players during this period. New Orleans will eventually sign free agents of its own and replenish the roster through the draft. And don’t forget, new NFL rules this season limited the Saints from working the unrestricted free agent market until they lost one of their own.”
