Top 50 free agents by cbssportsline (1 Viewer)

[Cajun Chat]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11425323

Here is what they say with Vilma. He is rated # 7 of the Top 50.

7. Jonathan Vilma, LB, New Orleans Saints: "In his first season with the Saints, he showed why he is a good 4-3 linebacker and why the Jets miscast him as a 3-4 inside backer. The Saints want him back, but he will be tough to keep. "

Of course take it with a grain of salt since it's Prisco. He's been off our bandwagon since his buddy Haz was let go.

 

[someone]

The fan poll currently has Vilma second behind Haynesworth.

 

[blackngold7733]

sensabaugh would be a great pick-up for us.

 

[Saint_Max]

Jahri Evans isn't even on that list.

did i miss something?

 

[Casterfield]

Jahri Evans isn't even on that list.

did i miss something?

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Also not on the list are players with franchise tags -- there are 11 of them -- and restricted free agents. Those players rarely move.[/FONT]

I'm guessing that's why. He also didn't include players over 30; i.e. Kurt Warner and Ray Lewis

edit: He does inclue the players over 30 but outside of the top 10.

 

[DVSaint]

He is already looking pretty horrible at predicting, saying that the dolphins can't afford Crowder, and the same day being proven wrong. I also got a laugh out of him saying 270 is too light for an every down DE. Apparently Prisco only lives on an island where the 3-4 defense is played. Or he comes from the future where football is only played by 350 pound freaks of nature.

 

[wbbigtymer]

I think every name besides Hayensworth on that list ahead of Vilma is laughable. I also think putting D. Hall at #8 right behind Vilma is laughable.

 

[Saint Droopy]

Wow Warner and Ray Ray 13 and 14?

The best MLB and QB available (yeah Vilma is good but Ray Ray's old *** is great)... chalk that up to "one man's opinion".

 

[Consigliere]

Lotta good safeties on the list.

Like most here, I had been "assuming" that we would re-sign Vilma. It would be depressing to lose him now.

 

[Nevimeister]

Lotta good safeties on the list.

Which are? they are all strong safeties. Whilst Harper can be upgraded he is not a priority with the gaping hole at free safety. No free agent excels in that role (FS)

Chris Canty #3???? do me a favour

 

[Ti Rider]

Jahri Evans isn't even on that list.

did i miss something?

Evans is a restricted free agent with a tender that would require any team that signs to him a offer to give the Saints a first and third round pick. This basically takes him off the FA market.

 

[mccombmike]

What's sad about all this is that we could lose Vilma because of the Shockey trade.

Think about it. The Shockey trade means the 2nd round pick goes to the Giants. We can't sign Vilma before free agency because that would elevate the Vilma pick from third to second, and thus push the Shockey pick to the first round.

The bottom line is that if there were no Shockey trade, the Saints could have locked Vilma up for a second round pick. I would do that, rather than risk seeing him go. But we can't afford to give up a first for Vilma, so we have to go through all this.

Now, I think Shockey is a good player, and I think he'll be a contributor, but if I have to choose between Vilma and Shockey, I want Vilma. We can do OK with the TEs we have. Without Vilma our defense is dead meat.

We paid too much for Shockey, and now it might cost us Vilma. Worse, even if Vilma goes we still have to give up a 3rd rounder for him, which means we paid a third round pick to get one player for one year -- and didn't make the playoffs.

I know I sound pessimistic, but these kinds of screwups are the kinds of mistakes that haunt teams for years. If we lose Vilma we're going to be sorry.

 

[nolaDante]

What's sad about all this is that we could lose Vilma because of the Shockey trade.

Think about it. The Shockey trade means the 2nd round pick goes to the Giants. We can't sign Vilma before free agency because that would elevate the Vilma pick from third to second, and thus push the Shockey pick to the first round.

The bottom line is that if there were no Shockey trade, the Saints could have locked Vilma up for a second round pick. I would do that, rather than risk seeing him go. But we can't afford to give up a first for Vilma, so we have to go through all this.

Now, I think Shockey is a good player, and I think he'll be a contributor, but if I have to choose between Vilma and Shockey, I want Vilma. We can do OK with the TEs we have. Without Vilma our defense is dead meat.

We paid too much for Shockey, and now it might cost us Vilma. Worse, even if Vilma goes we still have to give up a 3rd rounder for him, which means we paid a third round pick to get one player for one year -- and didn't make the playoffs.

I know I sound pessimistic, but these kinds of screwups are the kinds of mistakes that haunt teams for years. If we lose Vilma we're going to be sorry.

We probably wouldn't have locked up Vilma before free agency regardless, imho. We might have agreed to a deal in principle, let him feel around the market for his true value, come back to us, then the deal is made. That's probably what's taking place now anyway. I understand your point though: losing Vilma will set us back big time. If some team throws big bucks at him, we'll be extremely hard pressed to come close. Then our entire approach to this offseason will change.

 

[Ti Rider]

Now, I think Shockey is a good player, and I think he'll be a contributor, but if I have to choose between Vilma and Shockey, I want Vilma. We can do OK with the TEs we have. Without Vilma our defense is dead meat.

My feelings exactly. Shockey's a decent TE. If he can ever stay healthy he'll be a nice addition to the Offense but Vilma is far more valuable to the Defense. Basically we stand a very good chance of losing Vilma because of the Shockey deal which makes bitter toward him. I know....it's not his fault...but I wasn't for the deal to begin with so the thought of losing Vilma because of it doesn't make me believe it was worth it.

If we lose Vilma the replacement prospects are bleak....the team doesn't have the money for a big time FA so they'll be looking at Mark Simoneau or Marvin Mitchell in the role. Hard to improve a weak unit when you're stepping backward in terms of talent level. Vilma re signing is the big FA splash they need to make. If it doesn't then they rented him for a year thanks to overpaying for a fragile TE.

 

[Saints & Devils]

33. Ronald Bartell, CB, St. Louis Rams: He's a young player who emerged last year in his first as a starter. He's the kind of rising player teams need to sign.

just below Chris McAlister and Stinch heh, no wonder most of us had never heard of him, but indeed great stats last year, for a team that got run on a ton or else had a few shoot outs...

Year Team..................G Total Solo Ast Sck PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng
2008 St. Louis Rams 16 57.....54......3..1.0.... 19....3...0....29...9.7...24

Very interesting player indeed