My take on the 3 Big Contracts

We all know that the Saints have 3 BIG contract to sign: Will Smith, Jahri Evans & Marques Colston.

In my opinion the Saints priority is as follows:

1. Jahri Evans
2. Marques Colston
3. Will Smith

Jahri Evans is one of 2 pro-bowl talents on the Saints O-line and we all know that the O-line is Sean Payton's #1 priority, He will also be the smallest of the 3 contract and a player that will hopefully retire wearing Black & Gold.

Marques Colston is the # 1 receiver for the Saints and at this point there is a dramatic drop off after that. At this point there is not even a clear # 2 or for that matter maybe not even a # 3. Fortunately in this offense and Drew's uncanny ability to distribute the ball and Reggie's versitility it hasn't been a glaring hole. None the less Marques must be sign to a long term deal before he gets the pro-bowl he deserves and the price jumps way up.

Will Smith has been the best defensive player on this defense which until recently has had little talent. I believe he is the X - factor for contracts the defensive talent on this team has greatly improved and Will is a welcome part of what could be an awesome front 7. He could also be an incredible value in a trade that could go a long way in building for the future or sign Smith and trade Grant. I would love to keep them both it would make this defense very good for years.

Picture the O-line without Jahri Evans and the whole right side of the O-line falls apart.

Picture the Receiving Corps without Marques Colston all the Saints are left with is a bunch of # 3 receivers

Picture the D-line without Will Smith, it would weaken the D-line.

So of the 3 contracts who do you sign first?

601, I like your thinking here.  I don't really care who comes first Colston or Smith, but Colston mentioned a month ago he was in no hurry.  I've got a felling they are working on Smith and if that falls apart then we will sign Colston.  If that' the case I can see Smith getting the franchise tag next year.

I almost wouldnt rely on that.  Colston's got an agent, but hopefully he'll ask for a top 15 reciever money salary.  At that rate it'll be a bargain - We can sign him long term.

Evans is intriguing.  Im not convinced that the depth we have can replace him and unless one of the guys - Alleman, Nicks, or Bushrod - can show they can equal the small school or late draft pick thing, He isnt expendable.  Besides we'll have a LG problem soon also with Nesbit aging.  If he wants Hutchinson money, let him walk.  If he's a team guy bring him back

Smith?  See thats what I dont like.  See another player get a payday, then want what he's got.  We had no choice but to re-sign Grant, who we was gonna start?  Wynn?  Grant is a good DE but he got a good deal on us.  I think his numbers will be better than '07 but I doubt he'll be a 10 sack guy.  If only he could build enough stregnth to move inside permanently and actually like it. 

All DE's with high sack potential are gonna ask for break the bank Lotto contracts and until that stops, they may all become another Jared Allen story.  I look for that to happen again.  Smith will have a 12+ sack season and any AFC team will be ready to give up a 1 and 4 for him because he may be franchised. 

Whose been on the team the longest. Whose poured out this heart and soul for a mediocre team before the 06 season. Smith. Sign Smith first then Colston then Jahri.

Reward the guys thats been here thats not a knock on Colston or Jahri but they're 2 years removed from college. they'll get their contract.

SIGN SMITH.

Smith- with the money DEs are getting now we mite wanna get him soon, and besides Defense wins championships.

Colston- He probably wants to stay a Saint so he will wait longer and he is one of the best WRs I have ever seen

Evans- Replacable