"The Saints have 16 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason. Among them are eight full- or part-time starters, including four on each side of the ball. Carl Nicks might be best guard in the NFL, and Marques Colston is on pace to shatter every receiving record in Saints history. You could make an argument that each, like Brees, is the best at their positions in club history. And yet both have been rendered afterthoughts by the Brees sweepstakes."
"Free agent Lofa Tatupu‘s recent visit with the Saints had some league observers scratching their heads and wondering if the team might be mulling the option of adding a cheap replacement for Jonathan Vilma this offseason, but we’re hearing it was more a case of the team just doing its due diligence. A major shakeup at middle linebacker appears unlikely at this point. Tatupu, who sat out all of last season after the Seahawks accommodated his request to be released, has a history of knee injuries and concussions and it’s believed that the Saints did not make him a contact offer when he met with team officials in New Orleans."
"NFL prospects are, by the nature of the combine, forced into comparisons. The top group of guys at every position want to be the best. And many of them think they’re the best. Like Devon Still, Penn State defensive tackle, who isn’t interested in hearing all the hype surrounding LSU tackle Michael Brockers. Still was asked how the defensive tackle class shapes up and said that “hands-down” he’s the best DT in the draft. “I think hands-down I’m the best defensive tackle in this draft,” Still said. “I was able to take over a lot of games this season. Just the production I had — I was able to disrupt plays even if I wasn’t making the statistics.”"
"The New England Patriots will franchise tag wide receiver Wes Welkerif the two sides cannot come to agreement on a long-term deal before the March 5 deadline, the Boston Herald reported Saturday, citing a source. The $9.5 million franchise wide receiver tag, which is down $2 million from last year, gives Welker a one-year deal but no security. The team reportedly does not want to risk him becoming a free agent because the market for Welker will be incredibly active."
"Three weeks ago, Mario Manningham had three critical catches during one of the most important drives in Giants history. It now appears increasingly likely they will be the last three receptions of his career in New York. Manningham has “virtually no chance” to return to the Giants and is expected to follow former Giants’ assistant Mike Sullivan to the Buccaneers, sources at the NFL Scouting Combine told CBSSports.com."
