Saints won't use franchise tag
The New Orleans Saints won't use their franchise tag this year. Here are the Saints free agents:
However, they won't attempt to re-sign Vilma before the free-agency period begins at 12:01 a.m. on February 27th. If they sign him before then, they would owe the Jets a second- instead of third-round draft pick. Since they owe the Giants a second-round pick as part of the Jeremy Shockey deal, they would then owe the Giants a first-round pick since their second-rounder would have gone to the Jets.
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) Starters: LB Jonathan Vilma and OT Jon StinchcombAccording to Mike Triplett of The Times-Picayune, the Saints will try to re-sign Vilma, Stinchcomb, Henderson, Harrington and their RFAs.
UFAs Reserves: WR Devery Henderson, DT Antwan Lake, S Josh Bullocks, TE Mark Campbell, RB Aaron Stecker, C Matt Lehr, LB Troy Evans, CB Aaron Glenn and QB Joey Harrington
Restricted Free Agents (RFAs): WR Lance Moore, G Jahri Evans and OT Zach Strief
However, they won't attempt to re-sign Vilma before the free-agency period begins at 12:01 a.m. on February 27th. If they sign him before then, they would owe the Jets a second- instead of third-round draft pick. Since they owe the Giants a second-round pick as part of the Jeremy Shockey deal, they would then owe the Giants a first-round pick since their second-rounder would have gone to the Jets.
