On the first day of voluntary workouts the Saints made three big announcements.
First, the team announced they will not be holding training camp at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. The Saints have held their last three camps at the College since Payton took over as head coach in 2006. Instead the team will stick close to home, opting to stay at their Metairie Practice Facility. It will mark the first time the club has held training camp at Metairie since 2005 and only the fourth time in team history.
Second, the 2009 preseason schedule was released. It looks like the Saints [...]

Clearly the Saints have dedicated themselves this off-season to improving the defense, signing another pro-bowl talent to the roster.
Defensive tackle Rod Coleman agreed to a one year deal with the team Friday afternoon, the details were not disclosed.
He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 draft where he spent the next five years. As a Raider, Coleman started in 21 games recording 136 tackles and 28.5 sacks before signing with the Falcons in 04. With the Falcons he started in 49 games recording 112 tackles and 30 sacks before being released after the 2007 season.
Coleman [...]

Kevin Kaesviharn was officially released by the New Orleans Saints today, much to the delight of Saints fans everywhere.
Kaesviharn has been the focus of some harsh criticism from fans since his arrival via the Bengals in 2007, and rightfully so. He has been a constant sore spot in a struggling Saints secondary during his stay, consistently getting beat down field for long gains. Lets not forget those pesky pass interference calls.
In his two years with the Saints he has totaled 91 tackles and only 2 interceptions – sub par numbers for an NFL Safety.
His release came on the heels of the Saints [...]

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the busiest teams in free agency thus far – signing some big name players and releasing some proven veterans.
The impact of these moves is yet to be seen, but we will examine what the  franchise has done to date and grade based on the impact each players addition or release will have on the team.
Released -
Released: Defensive Coordinator, Gary Gibbs – Gibbs was brought to New Orleans by Payton in 2006 to head the defensive staff. Although his first season as the defensive coordinator was not a disappointment, ranking as the 11th best defensive in the [...]

It seemed it was just a matter of time before Mike McKenzie was cut.
 He had suffered two major knee injuries in two years and the teams recent addition of CB Jabari Greer was an ominous sign - the straw that broke the camels back.
McKenzie, 32, had been with the Saints for five seasons since being acquired in a trade with the Packers in 2004. He was a standout corner during this span starting  62 of 63 games for the Saints – recording 225 tackles, 167 solo, 58 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
McKenzie’s fate had been in limbo the last few months [...]

After weeks of speculation, the time has arrived – Darren Sharper is officially a New Orleans Saint.
Just hours ago the staff here at whodatdish.com reported that the Sharper signing was imminent and to expect an announcement soon – that announcement did come just five hours after that article was published.
Sharper is the league leader in interceptions with 52 and is also a four-time pro bowl selection. A savvy veteran, Sharper is exactly what new Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams needs in a safety.
A smart athletic player that can read opposing defenses – a quarterback of the new Saints secondary.
Sharper has filled the Saints most glaring need [...]

Rumors have swirled for weeks around whether or not pro bowl safety Darren Sharper will sign with the Saints. Some reports have him very close to a deal and some not so close to the deal- what to believe?
The Saints have made no secrets of their desire to have Sharper as a Saint. Despite visiting with other free agent safeties the Saints have had their cross-hairs solely on Sharper, and reports have his interest in the team just as high.
New Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams needs a smart, athletic safety to quarterback his secondary. He has said multiple times the most important [...]

Its been a busy day for the New Orleans Saints.
The team announced this morning they had signed free agent DL Paul Spicer, and now have announced they have reached an agreement with OL Nick Leckey.
The deal is only for one year and in typical fashion the financial details have not been disclosed.
Leckey was drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 draft by the Arizona Cardinals where he started 20 games during his 4 year stint as a Cardinal.
He signed with the Rams midway through the 2007 season, starting only two games that year.  Leckey won the starting job in 2008  starting [...]

Reliable ten year veteran Paul Spicer has agreed to a one year deal with the Saints – terms have not been disclosed.
Spicer was an undrafted free agent when entering the league with the Seattle Seahawks in 1998, where he was eventually cut. He then spent a little time in the CFL before landing on Detroit’s practice squad for one season.
Spicer then was picked up by the Jaguars where he has spent the last nine seasons totaling 252 tackles, 215 solo, 28.5 sacks, 15 pass deflections, and 1 interception.
During  his tenure at Jacksonville he continued to develop into a very reliable and productive starter having his [...]

Courtney Roby shined last season for the Saints as an electric kick returner. Roby returned 19 kickoffs for a total of 472 yards – a 24.8 yard average with a long of 62. (20+ yards 14 times and 40+ yards 3 times.)
Roby amassed the impressive totals over a five week span last season after he walked onto the team as a “street” free agent. His impressive performance was the buzz amongst Saints fans and coaches until a nasty high ankle sprain, in week 14 against Atlanta, sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
New Orleans did not tender an offer to [...]