The Saints and their divine QB, who has been nicknamed "Breesus", have brought home the hardware to N'orlins. They didn't steal it, or have it given to them... they rose to the occasion and were simply 'great' when it mattered. People use 'great' very loosely and way too often. The way Jonathan Vilma and the Saints defense shut down #18... the way Sean Payton called the game with no fear... and the way 'Breesus' drove the team down the field on that final drive when they were trailing 16-17, hitting 7 different receivers... thats what I call 'great'. So, the Saints and their fans are finally world champions. This was their year, the only thing on my mind now is who's year will 2010 be?
One rumor that has been being passed around is about Nathan Vasher potentially being released from the Bears. He's 28 and is costing Chicago a ton of money. He had an excellent run from 2004 to 2006. Over the past few years he has struggled with some injuries and therefore his production has dropped off dramatically. All of this will most likely equal a pink slip for Mr Vasher and a possible answer for us regarding the the big gaping hole at the #2 CB spot.
Sheppard needs to be released. We have a up and coming young corner in Strickland, but he is not ready for the #2 spot. Dwight Lowery should be moved to safety (possibly as a replacement for Rhodes if he is moved). Our goal in 2010 is not to just be the number one defense in the league, but to be a dominant, game changing squad that materializes once every 10-12 years in the NFL. We are close, but if we start a guy like Stickland opposite the best CB in all of football, he will certainly be targeted and exploited all season. With the right player at FS and a high quality savvy veteran at the #2 CB spot, we could start looking like the 99' Ravens.
No one is talking about the impending release of Reggie Bush from the Saints considering the week long after glow and euphoria that is flowing like hard liquor and bowls of gumbo in the french quarter. That being said, the honeymoon will be over shortly and the Saints are going to have to bite the bullet and set Bush free. He will count as over 8 million on their salary cap in 2010, and even though the upcoming season looks like it will be uncapped, it is impossible to justify that kind of pay check for what he produces on the field.
My hope is that Bush hits the free market, and because he would be released, he would be fair game for any team including those who are restricted by the final eight rules. I'd drop Neon Leon and pick up Reggie to fill his role. I feel very strongly that we need to revamp our backfield this offseason. Our young QB will need to be able to lean on an elite running attack again in 2010 the same way he did in in 09'.
We have an exciting young back in Shaun Greene and we certainly have the O-line. But, Jones is well past his prime, and I don't have faith Leon can return to his previous form after such a devastating injury. I would like nothing more than to see #29 slicing through defenses and changing games with his electrifying kick returns. But his game is based on speed and agility, and not only is it very likely that he will lose a step but he is 28 going on 29 years of age. I'd choose Bush over Washington in a NY minute.
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