Recapping another crazy New Orleans Saints offseason

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Feb 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the Microsoft future of football press conference at Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Questions that still need answers

1. When is the Drew Brees contract extension getting done?

Time keeps on ticking for the two parties to reach a deal. The longer this contract lingers, the longer that there’s a real possibility that Drew Brees could become a free agent in 2017. Yes, there’s a whole lot of football between now and then. However, Brees made it clear that he has no intention of discussing a contract while the season is going on.

While I wholeheartedly believe that Brees doesn’t go anywhere, you can’t dismiss that it is a distinct possibility should a long-term contract not be reached. In the past six months, there has only been talk of optimism of a deal being reached.

2. Who will be the odd men out of the final 53-man roster?

Several players could find themselves unseated by other players as training camp unfolds. I gave five players on the ‘way too early’ roster bubble in early June. Brandon Coleman, John Jenkins, Tim Lelito, Zach Strief, and Marcus Murphy are just a select few that really need to ‘bring it’ to stamp their spot on the final 53-man roster.

On the flip side, will camp stars like R.J. Harris and Erik Harris be able to punch their ticket on the 2016 Saints roster?

3. Will Dennis Allen’s defense work?

Simplistic, yet effective. That’s the idea and vision for the Saints defense in 2016. The team’s ineffective defense has a huge hand in why the team has had two straight losing seasons. Dennis Allen looks to lean upon his front line to provide the solutions, and it could come. Nick Fairley slimmed down, Sheldon Rankins is all about getting penetration, and established pass rusher Cameron Jordan will continue to get after the quarterback.

Although it’s widely feared that Hau’oli Kikaha is lost for the season due a torn ACL, the Saints can get some production from players like Obum Gwacham and Davis Tull. The biggest thing I’d implore you to do is to not read into reports of the defense doing well in camp. Why? You’ve heard that for the past two years. Seeing it out on the field is way more important.

4. Will players return to form?

Dannell Ellerbe, Jairus Byrd, and C.J. Spiller are three of the biggest names to watch for until September rolls around. Of the three, the biggest worry is arguably around Ellerbe, who is the team’s starting weak side linebacker. Ellerbe left practice on June 10, and has been riddled by some injuries. Although, he vows that he’ll be 110 percent by training camp.

Byrd began this year’s campaign in a familiar spot by working off on the side as he rehabbed the same knee that has bothered him since 2014. Byrd is expected to be ready for training camp, but no one can help the pessimism associated with the injury. Byrd has played in 17 of 32 games for the Saints since joining the team.

As for C.J. Spiller, he said that a clean bill of health should allow him to flourish with Sean Payton’s offense in 2016. While that remains to be seen, reports from last week’s training camp had Spiller as the No. 3 running back behind Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower. If Spiller can stay healthy, then the Saints offense becomes more lethal than it is now.