Jahri Evans is one of 2 pro-bowl talents on the Saints O-line and we all know that the O-line is Sean Payton's #1 priority, He will also be the smallest of the 3 contract and a player that will hopefully retire wearing Black & Gold.
Marques Colston is the # 1 receiver for the Saints and at this point there is a dramatic drop off after that. At this point there is not even a clear # 2 or for that matter maybe not even a # 3. Fortunately in this offense and Drew's uncanny ability to distribute the ball and Reggie's versitility it hasn't been a glaring hole. None the less Marques must be sign to a long term deal before he gets the pro-bowl he deserves and the price jumps way up.
Will Smith has been the best defensive player on this defense which until recently has had little talent. I believe he is the X - factor for contracts the defensive talent on this team has greatly improved and Will is a welcome part of what could be an awesome front 7. He could also be an incredible value in a trade that could go a long way in building for the future or sign Smith and trade Grant. I would love to keep them both it would make this defense very good for years.
Picture the O-line without Jahri Evans and the whole right side of the O-line falls apart.
Picture the Receiving Corps without Marques Colston all the Saints are left with is a bunch of # 3 receivers
Picture the D-line without Will Smith, it would weaken the D-line.
Colston is the player you would sign first. Will Smith would be next in line. Evans is a big part of the offensive line but we do have good backups to him so in my opinion he is less of a priority.
601, I like your thinking here. I don't really care who comes first Colston or Smith, but Colston mentioned a month ago he was in no hurry. I've got a felling they are working on Smith and if that falls apart then we will sign Colston. If that' the case I can see Smith getting the franchise tag next year.
I almost wouldnt rely on that. Colston's got an agent, but hopefully he'll ask for a top 15 reciever money salary. At that rate it'll be a bargain - We can sign him long term.
Evans is intriguing. Im not convinced that the depth we have can replace him and unless one of the guys - Alleman, Nicks, or Bushrod - can show they can equal the small school or late draft pick thing, He isnt expendable. Besides we'll have a LG problem soon also with Nesbit aging. If he wants Hutchinson money, let him walk. If he's a team guy bring him back
Smith? See thats what I dont like. See another player get a payday, then want what he's got. We had no choice but to re-sign Grant, who we was gonna start? Wynn? Grant is a good DE but he got a good deal on us. I think his numbers will be better than '07 but I doubt he'll be a 10 sack guy. If only he could build enough stregnth to move inside permanently and actually like it.
All DE's with high sack potential are gonna ask for break the bank Lotto contracts and until that stops, they may all become another Jared Allen story. I look for that to happen again. Smith will have a 12+ sack season and any AFC team will be ready to give up a 1 and 4 for him because he may be franchised.
pay Will Smith first. pay him what he wants. he's the real deal. we've been dogging him and Charles Grant for their lack of production, but i feel it in my heart that with Ellis in the middle we're gonna see a jump in production from our DEs.
i am not saying the will is any more important than Jahri or Marques... but it appears that his situation is the most pressing right now. take care of him and then move on to the others.
Whose been on the team the longest. Whose poured out this heart and soul for a mediocre team before the 06 season. Smith. Sign Smith first then Colston then Jahri.
Reward the guys thats been here thats not a knock on Colston or Jahri but they're 2 years removed from college. they'll get their contract.
We sign Will Smith to a FIVE OR SIX YEAR DEAL, hopefully for a little less than the Jared Allen fiasco. Then we sign Marquis Colston to a deal with money in the top ten receivers, and then we address Jahari Evans. Evans in my mind would be the easiest of the three to replace. Even though i wouldn't want that to happen. We have to keep our core group of guys together, or we will be re-building every year instead of re-loading.
Marques Colston- He deserves it more than any of the three if you ask me. I honestly believe Drew Brees can make Mike Williams a pro bowl WR, but Colston has proven he is the real deal and outside of Drew he is the best skill player we have on offense.
Jahri Evans- This guy is sure to make the pro bowl this year and we'd better sign before he does. Have any of you seen what these interior lineman are getting paid these days? Look at Steve Hutchinson, Eric Steinbach, Leonard Davis and a few others that are getting $50 million plus contracts. He's making a name for himself on that o-line, you can bet your bottom dollar he won't be cheap if he hits the free agent market next offseason.
Will Smith- Yes he's been our best defensive player (that's debatable, because Mike McKenzie might have something to say about that) for the past two (2) years, but the other two guys seem to be the better investment at this point. WHY? Because one is a weapon for Drew and the other one protects him. Smith is very important, but the other are just more important if you ask me.
Colston has proven he is the real deal and outside of Drew he is the best skill player we have on offense.
I love you CNT...but that is a stretch..Colston is an excellent "receiver. "But it stops at Receiver. Reggie is by far the most skilled player on the team. His phenomal talent will reign supreme in year 3 for sure. Runner, Returner Receiver....can throw a passes
