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The Saints have released 31-year old DE Charles Grant. He played all 16 games for the Saints last season and he made 44 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, he had 5.5 sacks, forced 1 fumble and he defensed 2 passes. Grant played in 118 games in his 8 years with the Saints and he finished up with 424 tackles, 47 sacks, 31 passes defensed, 16 forced fumbles and 1 sack. Despite Grant getting older the Saints will miss him because he’s a playmaker.
The Saints have released 33-year old linebacker Mark Simoneau. Simoneau has not played in either of the last two seasons due to injury. Simoneau played in 32 games in his time with the Saints in which he made 131 tackles, defensed 2 passes, he had 3 sacks and 1 interception. The Saints won’t miss Simoneau much as he hasn’t played in a couple of years.
The Saints have released 33-year old offensive guard Justin Nesbit. Nesbit played in 13 games (0 starts) for the Saints last season. In six years with the Saints, Nesbit played in 84 games (43 starts). The Saints will likely find a young and cheaper replacement for Nesbit in either free agency or the draft.
The Saints have signed 27-year old fullback Zak Keasey to a 1-year deal. Keasey did not play last season. He last played in 2008 with the 49ers. Keasey has played in 19 games in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 2 times for 4 yards (2.0 ypc). Keasey has also caught 3 passes for 25 yards (8.3 avg) in his NFL career. He also has 19 career tackles in his NFL career as he is a solid special teams player. Keasey will have a uphill battle in trying to make the Saints’ roster in 2010 but his special teams ability will help his cause.
This is a big question that the Saints need to ponder. Bush is only 24 years old and I think he played the best football of his career in 2009. With that in mind I think they should bring him back as long as he doesn’t want to break the bank. After all, he isn’t a every down back. Bush played in 14 games for the Saints last season and he carried the ball 70 times for 390 yards (5.6 ypc) with 5 TD runs. Bush also caught 47 passes for 335 yards (7.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs and he also returned 27 punts for 130 yards (4.8 avg). Bush has now played in 52 games for the Saints in his career and he has carried the ball 488 times for 1,940 yards (4.0 ypc) with 17 TD runs. He also has caught 260 passes for 1,934 yards (7.4 avg) with 11 TD grabs. Bush has helped out on special teams too as he has returned 78 punts for 628 yards (8.1 avg) with 4 TD returns. As long as Bush’s contract demands aren’t too ridiculous the Saints should bring him back in 2010 and beyond.