Can someone explain what T.T. is doing...

[esoxx]

There were MANY more factors involved in MN demise. Just like there were many reasons NO came back.

The main reason for Minnesota's demise was horrid QB play from a washed up Brad Johnson and a green as grass rookie in Tavarius Jackson. Think if they had signed Drew Brees what kind of record they would have had with the type of run defense they had.

It usually comes back to the QB position at the end of the day.

[MJZiggy]

And in NO's case, Bush and Coston. Which is what the the league was after when they gave the sucky teams the first picks in the draft. I'm not saying Brees didn't have a ton to do with it, but the FA signings wouldn't have made nearly the difference without the high draft picks and sleeper rookies.

[Partial]

yeah and Bretsky how often does a pro-bowl franchise player hit the open market?

I'd argue you could have signed the top 8 free agents this year and they wouldn't have the impact of one Drew Brees.

[SD GB fan]

i think NO's success had a lot to due with passion and intensity. they were hit by katrina. they drafted bush and acquired brees. and it was said over and over how much football meant to the city of new orleans. they were offensively talented, no doubt about that. and they had good coaching. but their makeshift LB corp (FA pick ups) and overall defense was exposed in the playoffs. even when we played them, as many will recall and say that we should have beat them.

[b bulldog]

Brees was a great signing for the Saints. The hurricane story was nice but don't forget about the talent that was on the Saints roster. All three were part of the winning formula for the Saints in 06.

[Green Bud Packer]

the drew brees situation was unique for free agency. san diego had to let him go to get rivers on the field . n.o. needed a qb and had the cash.great move for the saints. as far as ted's plan noone outside of the packer front office has a clue. see bretskys"still waiting" thread.

[b bulldog]

Arrigo does, he has insiders

[Bretsky]

yeah and Bretsky how often does a pro-bowl franchise player hit the open market?

I'd argue you could have signed the top 8 free agents this year and they wouldn't have the impact of one Drew Brees.

Brees was not the only free agent signing who immensely helped the Saints last year.; they executed a plan in free agency and it worked

[b bulldog]

Saints had a great year last season, it will be interesting to see how they do this year. They should be solid.

[Bretsky]

And in NO's case, Bush and Coston. Which is what the the league was after when they gave the sucky teams the first picks in the draft. I'm not saying Brees didn't have a ton to do with it, but the FA signings wouldn't have made nearly the difference without the high draft picks and sleeper rookies.

Yes, I know; we were one of the sucky teams.

And Brees was not the only successful free agent signing by NO.

Without the free agents the rookies would not have had nearly the success.

It works both ways

[HarveyWallbangers]

New Orleans didn't just sign Brees either.

Starting QB Drew Brees was a FA acquisition.
Starting LG Jamar Nesbit was a FA acquisition.
Starting C Jeff Faine was acquired in a trade with Cleveland.
Starting TE Mark Campbell was a FA acquisition.
Starting WR Joe Horn was a FA acquisition.

Starting DT Hollis Thomas was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia.
Starting DT Brian Young was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Scott Fujita was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Mark Simoneau was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Scott Shanle was acquired in a trade with Dallas.
Starting CB Mike McKenzie was acquired in a trade with Green Bay.
Starting CB Fred Thomas was a FA acquisition.

That means only 10 of their 22 starters were drafted by them.

[MJZiggy]

Who did NO sign this offseason (not trying to make a point, just can't remember right now)

B, so there was just one team last year helped immensely by FA signings? Or were there more? I know people who don't mind holding off are talking about Wash and Minny, and those who do are talking about NO, but who else is there for examples on each side?

[b bulldog]

The one thing is, is that with Haslet, the Saints were chronic underachievers, even with good players. Payton did a good job as coach and Brees is a very solid QB.

[Green Bud Packer]

just a quick prediction: green bay will win more games than they won last season and n.o. will lose more games than they lost last season.

[SD GB fan]

New Orleans didn't just sign Brees either.

Starting QB Drew Brees was a FA acquisition.
Starting LG Jamar Nesbit was a FA acquisition.
Starting C Jeff Faine was acquired in a trade with Cleveland.
Starting TE Mark Campbell was a FA acquisition.
Starting WR Joe Horn was a FA acquisition.

Starting DT Hollis Thomas was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia.
Starting DT Brian Young was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Scott Fujita was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Mark Simoneau was a FA acquisition.
Starting LB Scott Shanle was acquired in a trade with Dallas.
Starting CB Mike McKenzie was acquired in a trade with Green Bay.
Starting CB Fred Thomas was a FA acquisition.

That means only 10 of their 22 starters were drafted by them.

that defense isnt anything special. it was servicable for a while but not a long term answer. they also got rid of joe horn. for all we know, NO could just be a one year wonder with a good coach.