1st & 5:
Saints Offseason Timeline
The Saints Timeline Thus Far
1/22 – Sean Payton is reinstated by the NFL
Coach is back! Enough said.
1/24 – Saints fire DC Steve Spagnoulo, and Secondary Coach Ken Flajole
A move that many didn’t see coming. Sure, we knew the D was bad, and well, terrible. Let’s call it for what it was. However, some optimists thought that the return of Coach Payton would be a good thing for Spagnoulo, however, an earlier report of the locker room fiasco and Spags control could have played a factor. As far as Mr. Flajole’s departure? Worst secondary, you do the math.
2/10 – Saints hire DC Rob Ryan, and Stan Kwan as Asst Special Teams Coach
The Saints got their man, as they quickly announced that they would swap to 3-4 after Payton was brought back in to the mix. Ryan brings a certain fire to him, for lack of better phrase, and while he was not the most popular choice with Who Dat Nation, I personally trust in Coach. Ryan was cut loose because of his ‘lack of turnovers’, but there is no arguing what he did for a terrible Dallas defense before he took over. He made guys like Anthony Spencer, Sean Lee, and Demarcus Ware better. What’s probably the most head-scratching of him being fired is that he still managed to have a defense produce even with the amount of injuries they sustained. Forgotten in the buzz of the Rob Ryan hire was the addition of Stan Kwan, who brings 22 years of coaching experience to the table, and most recently had a stint with the Buffalo Bills for several seasons. We haven’t long forgotten the meltdown we suffered in New York at the hands of the Giants.
2/14 – Saints re-sign TE Michael Higgins, S Rafael Bush, & G Eric Olsen
Quietly good moves for the Saints. ‘Faux Reggie’ Bush filled in fairly well, given the situation. Bush, 25, proved that he was a nice fill-in (given the situation), and comes at a price tag of $550K. I look for his role to continue to develop this season, and could be a nice little gem for us down the road, if anything, in the special team game. Higgins was also signed for a $550K price tag. He brings depth, and at 25, his role may not be heavy, but in run blocking, could see more time. Olsen, 24, signed a 1-year deal worth $555K. He was signed originally in January of 2012, and saw some action with injuries to regular starters.
2/15 – Saints restructure contract of LB Curtis Lofton
No doubt, this was a sign of things to come, as Lofton was officially the first part of the equation. Lofton was due $7.1M, but the Saints got Lofton to $3.1M this year, with a $5M Signing Bonus that is pro-rated over the remainder of his contract.
2/19 – Saints waive CB Johnny Patrick (Claimed by San Diego), and terminate contract of TE David Thomas
My take is simple on this one. Patrick was due to be a huge presence in as our Nickel corner, but injuries plagued him, and ultimately led to his undoing. As far as David Thomas, no one could say he would be ruled out of a return. However, the Saints could be looking in the draft (later rounds) to pick up a TE. Releasing Thomas saved the Saints $1.7M in cap space, and Patrick freed up about $469K.
2/25 – Saints name Wesley McGriff as Secondary Coach
McGriff spent his time at Ole Miss last season, and served as a co-defensive coordinator & cornerbacks coach. McGriff is a veteran in the college system, and for those who forget, Ole Miss went from being 2-10 in 2011 to 7-6 in 2012. McGriff is also known for developing secondary talent like Sam Shields, Kenny Phillips, Yeremiah Bell, and Brandon Harris. Perhaps the most overlooked thing of this entire equation? McGriff was a Top 25 Recruiter for Ole Miss.
2/27 – Saints restructure contracts of G Ben Grubbs, LB David Hawthorne, & G Jahri Evans
The moves help tremendously, as it will help the Saints get down below the cap, which is something they desperately needed. Evans went from $7.2M against the cap to $3.04M against the cap, which freed up $3.12M. Hawthorne went from $4.76M to $2.51M, saving the Saints $2.05M. Grubbs base dropped from $5.2M to $1.2M against the cap, saving us $3M in the long run. The payoff was Grubbs was handed a $4M signing bonus up front.
3/4 – Saints restructure contract of DL Brodrick Bunkley
This move saves the Saints more cap space, as Bunkley went from $4.7M against the cap to $2.5M against the cap. This is a smart move for Bunkley, and while a lot of skeptics do not think it’s a smart move, he will likely be the starting NT in the Saints 3-4 scheme. The move estimates the Saints to now be under $2.9M over the Salary Cap.
1/22 – Sean Payton is reinstated by the NFL
Coach is back! Enough said.
1/24 – Saints fire DC Steve Spagnoulo, and Secondary Coach Ken Flajole
A move that many didn’t see coming. Sure, we knew the D was bad, and well, terrible. Let’s call it for what it was. However, some optimists thought that the return of Coach Payton would be a good thing for Spagnoulo, however, an earlier report of the locker room fiasco and Spags control could have played a factor. As far as Mr. Flajole’s departure? Worst secondary, you do the math.
2/10 – Saints hire DC Rob Ryan, and Stan Kwan as Asst Special Teams Coach
The Saints got their man, as they quickly announced that they would swap to 3-4 after Payton was brought back in to the mix. Ryan brings a certain fire to him, for lack of better phrase, and while he was not the most popular choice with Who Dat Nation, I personally trust in Coach. Ryan was cut loose because of his ‘lack of turnovers’, but there is no arguing what he did for a terrible Dallas defense before he took over. He made guys like Anthony Spencer, Sean Lee, and Demarcus Ware better. What’s probably the most head-scratching of him being fired is that he still managed to have a defense produce even with the amount of injuries they sustained. Forgotten in the buzz of the Rob Ryan hire was the addition of Stan Kwan, who brings 22 years of coaching experience to the table, and most recently had a stint with the Buffalo Bills for several seasons. We haven’t long forgotten the meltdown we suffered in New York at the hands of the Giants.
2/14 – Saints re-sign TE Michael Higgins, S Rafael Bush, & G Eric Olsen
Quietly good moves for the Saints. ‘Faux Reggie’ Bush filled in fairly well, given the situation. Bush, 25, proved that he was a nice fill-in (given the situation), and comes at a price tag of $550K. I look for his role to continue to develop this season, and could be a nice little gem for us down the road, if anything, in the special team game. Higgins was also signed for a $550K price tag. He brings depth, and at 25, his role may not be heavy, but in run blocking, could see more time. Olsen, 24, signed a 1-year deal worth $555K. He was signed originally in January of 2012, and saw some action with injuries to regular starters.
2/15 – Saints restructure contract of LB Curtis Lofton
No doubt, this was a sign of things to come, as Lofton was officially the first part of the equation. Lofton was due $7.1M, but the Saints got Lofton to $3.1M this year, with a $5M Signing Bonus that is pro-rated over the remainder of his contract.
2/19 – Saints waive CB Johnny Patrick (Claimed by San Diego), and terminate contract of TE David Thomas
My take is simple on this one. Patrick was due to be a huge presence in as our Nickel corner, but injuries plagued him, and ultimately led to his undoing. As far as David Thomas, no one could say he would be ruled out of a return. However, the Saints could be looking in the draft (later rounds) to pick up a TE. Releasing Thomas saved the Saints $1.7M in cap space, and Patrick freed up about $469K.
2/25 – Saints name Wesley McGriff as Secondary Coach
McGriff spent his time at Ole Miss last season, and served as a co-defensive coordinator & cornerbacks coach. McGriff is a veteran in the college system, and for those who forget, Ole Miss went from being 2-10 in 2011 to 7-6 in 2012. McGriff is also known for developing secondary talent like Sam Shields, Kenny Phillips, Yeremiah Bell, and Brandon Harris. Perhaps the most overlooked thing of this entire equation? McGriff was a Top 25 Recruiter for Ole Miss.
2/27 – Saints restructure contracts of G Ben Grubbs, LB David Hawthorne, & G Jahri Evans
The moves help tremendously, as it will help the Saints get down below the cap, which is something they desperately needed. Evans went from $7.2M against the cap to $3.04M against the cap, which freed up $3.12M. Hawthorne went from $4.76M to $2.51M, saving the Saints $2.05M. Grubbs base dropped from $5.2M to $1.2M against the cap, saving us $3M in the long run. The payoff was Grubbs was handed a $4M signing bonus up front.
3/4 – Saints restructure contract of DL Brodrick Bunkley
This move saves the Saints more cap space, as Bunkley went from $4.7M against the cap to $2.5M against the cap. This is a smart move for Bunkley, and while a lot of skeptics do not think it’s a smart move, he will likely be the starting NT in the Saints 3-4 scheme. The move estimates the Saints to now be under $2.9M over the Salary Cap.
3/8 - Saints tender RFA RB Chris Ivory
Just ponder on this again: Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, Travarias Cadet. Yeah, this is collectively the most talented backfield in the NFL. I don't say that because I'm biased, but you tell me a better backfield than this. I think Coach Payton is wanting to maximize Ivory, and could see Sproles in more slot WR situations. At any rate, could be the last we see of Ivory, but I'll gladly take him.
3/9 - Saints tender RFAs C Brian de la Puente & DE Junior Gallette
Gallette was a much needed player to keep on the defense. So much that he earned a 3 year deal. I look for big things from him in the upcoming season with Rob Ryan. As far as de la Puente, he was drawing a lot of outside interest, and he is one good season away from a large paycheck, very glad to have him back.
3/12 - Saints release LB Will Herring, restructure contracts of LB Jonathan Vilma & DE Will Smith
I alluded to this in my Saints Have Little Shock in Free Agency blog. However, it bears repeating that Vilma & Smith saved the Saints $11M, and put them under the Salary Cap by just over $6M.
3/13 - Saints tender RFA LS Justin Drescher
May be the most overlooked move of the year, however, Long Snappers rarely make huge impacts on the news front. Drescher is 25, and was locked up for the next 4 years. I'm sure the happiest among this move is Thomas Morstead.
3/15 - Saints sign CB Keenan Lewis to a 5-year contract
Catching this guy in his prime is nothing to overlook. Lewis lead the league in Pass Defenses with the Steelers in 2012, and was a highly coveted target in Free Agency. The fact that we were able to sign him was simply amazing, but he clearly starts opposite Jabari Greer. I look for great things from the New Orleans native.
3/18 - Saints sign TE Benjamin Watson, re-sign WR/ST Courtney Roby, and LB Ramon Humber
Watson is a former First Round Pick, and most recently spent his time with the Cleveland Browns. He can easily compliment Jimmy Graham in the passing game, and with this tandem, they are both sure to give opposing defenses fits. Courtney Roby flies slightly under the radar in my opinion, but he is a great asset in the Special Teams game, and fills in as needed in the passing game. Humber, well....Humber Smash is all I can say, he is more a Special Teams player, but could see a more expanded role with Rob Ryan.
3/21 - Saints sign (re-sign) LB Will Herring to one-year contract
See 3/12, he comes back at a lesser price tag. Good move on both parts.
3/28 - Saints sign LB Victor Butler to a 2-year contract
Butler was a Rob Ryan understudy in Dallas, and though he may not have had the flashiest numbers (25 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 3 Passes Defended), he was a consistent starter, playing in all 16 games. He's another one in entering the prime of his career. I look forward to seeing how his role evolves with the Saints.
4/1 - Saints agree to terms with DE Kenyon Coleman & QB Luke McCown on one-year deals
Kenyon Coleman, 34, has been around since 2002, and well, he's been around (5 different teams, including the Cowboys twice). With Rob Ryan at the helm, Coleman provides his knowledge in teaching the 3-4 defense. McCown was with the
4/8 - Saints agree to terms with S Jim Leonard on one-year deal
Leonard is on the wrong side of 30, and due to turn 31 in October. He didn't exactly do a ton with the Broncos in terms of stats last season, but he still brings about depth to the secondary, and it won't hurt. He also provides Kick & Punt Return abilities.
4/11 - Saints agree to terms with OT Jason Smith on one-year deal
Jason Smith was labeled as just another failed draft pick. In 2009, he was selected #2 overall by the St. Louis Rams. He has size at 6'5'' and 308 pounds, and the Jets used him in some Tackle Eligible Tight End situations last season, which benefits the Saints in that aspect, let's just hope the lad can get things back on track, he has a great group surrounding him.
4/15 - Saints sign QB Seneca Wallace to a one-year deal
Wallace was a signing where a lot of Saints fans were wondering, wait, how?
4/19 - Saints re-sign RB Chris Ivory to a one-year deal (sign tender)
4/22 - Saints sign LB Scott Fujita to one day contract, and retires a Saint
4/25 - Saints draft S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) with the #15 Overall Pick
4/26 - Saints draft OT Terron Armstead (University of Ark-Pine Bluff) with the #75 Overall Pick, trade RB Chris Ivory to the Jets, and draft DT John Jenkins (Georgia) with the #82 Overall Pick
4/27 - Saints draft WR Kenny Stills of Oklahoma with the 5th Round Pick, #144 Overall, draft DE/OLB Rufus Johnson of Tarleton State with 6th Round Pick, #183 Overall
4/28 - Saints bring in a host of UDFAs: QB Ryan Griffin (Tulane), LB Kevin Riddick (North Carolina), OL Elliot Mealer (Michigan), CB Ryan Lacy (Utah), LB Chase Thomas (Stanford), TE Keaven Milton (University of Louisiana-Monroe), DE Eric Martin (Nebraska), LB Ray Shipman (Central Florida), CB Roderick Sweeting (Georgia Tech), RB Shawne Alston (West Virginia), G Tim Lelito (Grand Valley State), TE Josh Hill (Idaho State), DE Glenn Foster (Illinois)
Saints 2013 Current Unrestricted Free Agent Tracker
Jermon Bushrod OT ****Signed by Bears 3/12****
Devery Henderson WR
Chase Daniel QB ****Signed by Chiefs 3/12****
Courtney Roby WR/ST ****Re-Signed by Saints 3/18****
William Robinson OT
Sedrick Ellis DT
Scott Shanle LB
Jonathan Casillas LB *****Signed by Bucs 3/12****
Turk McBride DE
Elbert Mack DB
Saints 2013 Restricted Free Agent Tracker
Chris Ivory RB ****Tendered, Signed, Traded to Jets*****
Brian de la Puente C ****Tendered, Signed*****
Junior Gallette DE/OLB ****Tendered, Signed*****
Justin Drescher LS ****Tendered, Signed*****
Jermon Bushrod OT ****Signed by Bears 3/12****
Devery Henderson WR
Chase Daniel QB ****Signed by Chiefs 3/12****
Courtney Roby WR/ST ****Re-Signed by Saints 3/18****
William Robinson OT
Sedrick Ellis DT
Scott Shanle LB
Jonathan Casillas LB *****Signed by Bucs 3/12****
Turk McBride DE
Elbert Mack DB
Saints 2013 Restricted Free Agent Tracker
Chris Ivory RB ****Tendered, Signed, Traded to Jets*****
Brian de la Puente C ****Tendered, Signed*****
Junior Gallette DE/OLB ****Tendered, Signed*****
Justin Drescher LS ****Tendered, Signed*****
Saints 2013 Largest Culprits of Salary Cap
Drew Brees $17.4M
Will Smith $14.5M ****Restructured****
Jahri Evans $9.9M ****Restructured****
Jonathan Vilma $8.6M ****Restructured****
Ben Grubbs $7.3M ****Restructured****
Roman Harper $7.15M
Marques Colston $6.6M
Jabari Greer $5.5M
Saints 2013 Offseason Additions
Keenan Lewis (PIT) - CB / 5YR
Benjamin Watson (CLE) - TE / 3YR
Victor Butler (DAL) - LB / 2YR
Kenyon Coleman (DAL) - DE / 1YR
Luke McCown (ATL) - QB / 1YR
Jim Leonard (DEN) - S / 1YR
Jason Smith (NYJ) - OT / 1YR
Seneca Wallace (CLE) - QB / 1YR
Saints 2013 Draft Results
1st Round, #15 Overall - S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
3rd Round, #75 Overall - OT Terron Armstead (University of Ark-Pine Bluff)
3rd Round, #82 Overall - DT John Jenkins (Georgia)
5th Round, #144 Overall - WR Kenny Stills (Oklahoma)
6th Round, #183 Overall - DE/OLB Rufus Johnson (Tarleton State)
Saints 2013 UDFA
QB Ryan Griffin (Tulane), LB Kevin Riddick (North Carolina), OL Elliot Mealer (Michigan), CB Ryan Lacy (Utah), LB Chase Thomas (Stanford), TE Keaven Milton (University of Louisiana-Monroe), DE Eric Martin (Nebraska), LB Ray Shipman (Central Florida), CB Roderick Sweeting (Georgia Tech), RB Shawne Alston (West Virginia), G Tim Lelito (Grand Valley State), TE Josh Hill (Idaho State), DE Glenn Foster (Illinois)
Drew Brees $17.4M
Will Smith $14.5M ****Restructured****
Jahri Evans $9.9M ****Restructured****
Jonathan Vilma $8.6M ****Restructured****
Ben Grubbs $7.3M ****Restructured****
Roman Harper $7.15M
Marques Colston $6.6M
Jabari Greer $5.5M
Saints 2013 Offseason Additions
Keenan Lewis (PIT) - CB / 5YR
Benjamin Watson (CLE) - TE / 3YR
Victor Butler (DAL) - LB / 2YR
Kenyon Coleman (DAL) - DE / 1YR
Luke McCown (ATL) - QB / 1YR
Jim Leonard (DEN) - S / 1YR
Jason Smith (NYJ) - OT / 1YR
Seneca Wallace (CLE) - QB / 1YR
Saints 2013 Draft Results
1st Round, #15 Overall - S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
3rd Round, #75 Overall - OT Terron Armstead (University of Ark-Pine Bluff)
3rd Round, #82 Overall - DT John Jenkins (Georgia)
5th Round, #144 Overall - WR Kenny Stills (Oklahoma)
6th Round, #183 Overall - DE/OLB Rufus Johnson (Tarleton State)
Saints 2013 UDFA
QB Ryan Griffin (Tulane), LB Kevin Riddick (North Carolina), OL Elliot Mealer (Michigan), CB Ryan Lacy (Utah), LB Chase Thomas (Stanford), TE Keaven Milton (University of Louisiana-Monroe), DE Eric Martin (Nebraska), LB Ray Shipman (Central Florida), CB Roderick Sweeting (Georgia Tech), RB Shawne Alston (West Virginia), G Tim Lelito (Grand Valley State), TE Josh Hill (Idaho State), DE Glenn Foster (Illinois)
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