Is a Saints Flag really worth $7,000?

Bryan Bossier Sr. of Alexandria, La recently purchased a New Orleans Saints flag for $6,852.00.  The flag, the same one that Indiana’s governor, Mitch Daniels displayed outside his office  after losing a Super Bowl bet with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, was bought via an online auction.  Governor Daniels will also autograph the flag.

The money that was raised is going to an inner city youth sports program run by the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Governor Daniels set a condition that all youth football participants must learn to recover an onside kick — a costly mistake that hurt the Colts in the Super Bowl.

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The New Orleans Saints organization has announced that they have released linebacker Mark Simoneau and offensive lineman Jamar Nesbit. They have also announced that they will release defensive end Charles Grant on Friday.

Grant was scheduled to make $4.25 million in salary and bonuses this year. Grant’s production has declined in recent years. He finished the last two season on injured reserve due to torn triceps muscles. Due to this being a non-capped year, the Saints are able to release Grant with no salary cap penalty. In all actuality, Grant could re-sign with the Saints for a more reasonable salary or he could land somewhere other than New Orleans. The Saints release of Grant leaves open the possibilty of the team pursuing an end in free agency or picking one with the 32nd pick of the draft.

Simoneau was in the final year of his contract and was set to earn $1.25 million this year. However, he has not played since 2007. Simoneau missed 2008 with a back injury and 2009 because of a torn triceps.

Nesbit, an 11 year veteran, who could play guard and center, was also in the final year of his contract. He was scheduled to earn $1.33 million. Nesbit was expendable due to the rise of guard Carl Nicks.

The Saints are limited to whom they can sign in free agency. Because of rules set in place by the collective bargaining agreement, the final four play-off teams aren’t allowed to sign any unrestricted free agents unless they lose one first

Who Dat Saint would like to apologize to all of our followers for the lack of recent post. This is due to a number of reasons. As you know the NFL and the Saints are currently in the off-season. There isn’t a whole lot going on right now other than the scouting combine, which actually ends in a couple of days and the Saints tendering offers to some of their restricted free agents.

However, just because you are not seeing daily post does not mean that we are laying on your leg . We are actually working feverishly behind the scenes to make whodatsaint.com one of the best Saints sites out there. We are trying to update our player bio pages, trying to set up a user forum and have also recently set up a Who Dat Shop

That’s right. You can now find all the latest Saints Merchandise and Who Dat Gear right here on Whodatsaint.com. Just look towards the top of the page for the “Shop” icon or on the right hand side of the page where you can actually break down what you are looking for such as jersey’s, hats, t-shirts, etc.

Thank you. And as always, feel free to look around our site as it grows along with the New Orleans Saints organization.

The free agency period will be quickly upon us as will the draft. For now we will look at New Orleans’ un-restricted and restricted free agents and see what holes need to be filled. Holes that need to be filled you ask? We don’t have any holes to be filled, we are the Super Bowl Champions! Yep, we are last years Super Bowl winner but this is a new year and the Saints have new needs. Every other NFL team will be looking to upgrade and so will the Saints. It wasn’t that long ago that our beloved New Orleans Saints were considered the doormats of the NFL and we sure don’t want to end up back in that boat.

One of the biggest questions out there is whether the Saints will re-sign running back Reggie Bush. Bush is set to earn 8 million dollars in 2010. And the pundits will be asking, is that too much for someone who is only getting 10-15 touches a game? Since joining the Saints in 2006 Bush has seemed better at running between the sidelines then running between the end zones.

In fact, in 2009 Bush had his lowest production, statistically wise, since joining the Saints. In terms of rushing, he only had 70 attempts which is over a 50 percent drop from his average attempts in 2006 and 2007. His rushing yards (390) was the lowest since joining the team. However, his rushing average (5.6) was his best since becoming a Saint. On the receiving end, those stats dropped as well. His total receptions (47) and receiving yards (335) were both the lowest since the Saints drafted him out of USC.

But with all of that in mind Coach Payton values his contributions to the offense too much for Bush to simply be cut or traded. He is versatile and has great play-making ability. It seems more likely that the Saints will approach Reggie about restructuring his contract rather than simply cutting or trading him.

Now let’s take a look at New Orleans’ team of free agents:

Defensive Linemen Remi Ayodele (Restricted) – Ayodele took over as the starting nose during the season. New Orleans’ run defense improved when he teamed up with Sedrick Ellis on the interior of their line.

Running Back Mike Bell (Unrestricted) – He competed with Pierre Thomas for carries during the first part of the season, but his strong start to the season stalled down the stretch when he aggravated a knee injury.

Tackle Jammal Brown (Restricted) – Brown was placed on IR after undergoing hip and sports hernia surgery. According to Rotoworld he is still one of New Orleans’ top linemen and they expect him to resign with the team.

Tackle Jermon Bushrod (Restricted) – Bushrod did a good job filling in for the injured Jammal Brown at left tackle. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Saints bring one or both of these guys back.

Defensive Linemen Jeff Charleston (Unrestricted) – Plays spot duty as a back-up. Add’s depth at the defensive line position. Recorded 3 sacks in 2008 season but none in 2009.

Tight End Darnell Dinkins (Unrestricted) – Listed as New Orleans’ third tight end, he only caught one pass in 2009.

Guard Jahri Evans (Restricted) – Evans is regarded as one of the league’s best young guards, and he could have had a chance for a big payday if a collective bargaining agreement had been hammered out. As it is now, he will most likely end up back with the Saints on a relatively cheap contract.

Linebacker Scott Fujita (Unrestricted) – Fujita is 31 and not known for his playmaking ability. Still, he has been solid for the Saints and it’s possible that they will bring him back. However, it seems more likely that they’ll try to upgrade the outside linebacker position.

Defensive Linemen Anthony Hargrove (Restricted) – Hargrove is a talented lineman and he was solid in the middle for New Orleans, racking up five sacks and 42 tackles.

Safety Roman Harper (Unrestricted) – Harper excelled under Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams. With free safety Darren Sharper manning centerfield, Harper was asked to play in the box more. He was effective against the run and in blitz packages.

Wide Receiver Courtney Roby (Restricted) – Roby returned kick-offs, but was not involved on the offensive side of the ball.

Safety Darren Sharper (Unrestricted) – Sharper is the active interceptions leader, but he is 34 years of age. New Orleans is expected to approach the free agent about a 2-3 year contract, and if they can’t get a deal done look for the Saints to place the franchise tag on him.

Tight End David Thomas (Unrestricted) – Thomas showed some promise in 2009, and he may get some more opportunities next season.

Running Back Pierre Thomas (Restricted) – Pierre had a career year with 793 rushing yards. Although New Orleans should look at upgrading their backfield, Thomas seems like a logical choice to resign with the team.

Cornerback Leigh Torrence (Restricted) – Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams likes Leigh Torrence, but the Saints are deep at cornerback so if Torrence is even brought back he will be on the roster bubble.

Safety Usama Young (Restricted) – Was the backup free safety before going on IR following a sports hernia.

An Unrestricted Free Agent is a player who has completed four or more accruedseasons and whose contract has expired. An unrestricted free agent may sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp (generally late July). At that point, his rights revert to his old club if it made a “tender” offer (110 percent of last year’s salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season to re-sign him. If he does not sign by then, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.

A Restricted Free Agent is a player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired. He is free to negotiate with any club through the free agent signing period. If he accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him, or not match the offer and possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player’s rights revert to his old club after the free agent signing period ends.

Jill Hezeau “Kicks” off Mardi Gras in an unattainable Garrett Hartley Jersey

Yep you heard me right. But it wasn’t actually Garrett Hartley that I got to see today. It was Reporter Jill Hezeau of WWL TV. Jill was doing her best impersonation of the Saint’s record breaking field goal kicker at today’s parades.

I had the honor to stand with and talk to Mrs. Hezeau for about an hour today, prior to the start of the Grela parade in Gretna, Louisiana. Jill was very personable and is as beautiful in person as she is on T.V. She was mingling with the crowd and handing off the beads she caught to kids standing nearby.

Jill was wearing a #5 Garrett Hartley jersey and was doing her best impersonation of the Saint’s record setting kicker. She told me that she could not find a Hartlett jersey to buy, so her sister made her one. Hey Jill, maybe you’ll start a new trend with your jersey. Give Kudo’s to your Sis for making your great replica jersey.