The Saints have signed 32-year old DT Rod Coleman to a 1-year deal.  Coleman did not play last season as he last played in 2007 with the Falcons appearing in 5 games.  He has now played in 109 games in his NFL career and he has made 269 tackles, defensed 28 passes, has 58.5 sacks, forced 10 fumbles and he has a interception that he returned for a TD.  If Coleman has anything left at all this was a great signing for the Saints.

The Saints have released safety Kevin Kaesviharn after he repeatedly got toasted last season by opposing receivers.  The 32-year old played in 11 games for the Saints last season and he made 64 tackles, defensed 4 passes and had 2 interceptions.  He has now played in 114 games in his NFL career and he has made 464 tackles, defensed 55 passes, has 6 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and he has 17 interceptions.  This will be no loss to the Saints in 2009.

The Saints have signed 31-year old safety Preston Prioleau.  Prioleau played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last season in which he made 26 tackles and defensed 1 pass.  He has now played in 128 games in his NFL career in which he has made 397 tackles, defensed 28 passes, has 5.5 sacks, forced 7 fumbles and he has 1 interception.  Prioleau should help with depth at safety and on special teams in 2009.

The Saints did a good job last April as half of their draft picks made a good impact.  It all started in the first round when the Saints selected DT Sedrick Ellis.  Ellis played in 13 games (all starts) last season for the Saints and he made 30 tackles, had 4 sacks and he defensed 5 passes.  Ellis could develop into a Pro Bowler in the near future as he has the power to push the pocket up the middle of the defense.  CB Tracy Porter (2nd round) played very well for the Saints before his season ended due to a wrist injury.  Porter played in 5 games (all starts) last season and he made 25 tackles, defensed 5 passes and had 1 interception.  In the 5th round the Saints hit another home run with the selection of OG Carl Nicks.  Nicks played in 16 games (13 starts) for the Saints last season and he made a tackle.  Nicks is just the latest of a long line of second day picks used on O-Linemen that have produced for the Saints.  The rest of the draft didn’t show much for the Saints.  5th round pick (DT) DeMario Pressley didn’t play in 2008 as a foot injury caused him to go on Injured Reserve.  Placekicker Taylor Mehlhaff (6th round) didn’t last long for the Saints.  He played in 3 games for the Saints and he made 3 of 4 field goals and 9 of 10 extra points.  Mehlhaff was released during the season and didn’t hook up with another team as a rookie.  7th round WR Adrian Arrington didn’t get on the field as a rookie as he spent his season on I.R. with a bad case of turf toe.

GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B

The Saints have released 32-year old CB Mike McKenzie.  McKenzie played in 7 games for the Saints last season and he made 22 tackles, defensed 3 passes and he picked off 1 pass.  He finished his career with the Saints playing in 63 games (5years) in which he made 186 tackles, defensed 49 passes and he intercepted 12 passes (2 of which were returned for TDs).  If McKenzie could have just stayed a little more healthy lately the Saints might have kept him another season.

The Saints have signed 33-year old free safety Darren Sharper.  Sharper played in all 16 games for the Vikings last season and he made 69 tackles, defensed 5 passes and intercepted a pass.  He has now played in 183 games in his NFL career and he has made 856 tackles, defensed 118 passes, has 7 sacks, has forced 9 fumbles and he has intercepted 54 passes (8 of which he has returned for TDs).  This was a outstanding move for the Saints who need a playmaker at the back end of the defense.

The Saints have signed 32-year old TE Darnell Dinkins.  Dinkins played in 14 games for the Browns last season and he caught 5 passes for 41 yards (8.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Dinkins will probably back up for the Saints at TE in 2009 but his biggest role will be to help out on special team.  Dinkins has played in 76 games in his NFL career and he has caught 25 passes for 228 yards (9.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He also had returned 15 kickoffs for 160 yards (10.7 avg) and he has made 35 tackles in his career.  This was a solid signing for the Saints as Dinkins is a “team” player.

The Saints have signed 27-year old center Nick Leckey.  Leckey played in 10 games (all starts) with the Rams last season.  The 6’3″, 302 pound Leckey has now played in 57 games (32 starts) in his 5-year NFL career.  Leckey will give the Saints’ O-Line depth at both center and guard in 2009.

The Saints have signed 33-year old DE Paul Spicer to a 1-year deal.  Spicer played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last season and he made 34 tackles, defensed 2 passes, had 3.5 sacks and he forced a fumble.  Spicer has now played in 115 games in his NFL career and he has made 257 tackles, defensed 16 passes, has 28.5 sacks, forced 7 fumbles and he has 1 interception.  This was a good signing for the Saints who need a lot of help on defense.

The Saints have signed 30-year old fullback Heath Evans.  Evans played in all 16 games for the Patriots last season and he carried the ball 11 times for 23 yards (2.1 ypc).  He also caught 3 passes for 59 yards (19.7 avg) last season.  Evans will replace Mike Karney as the starting fullback for the Saints in 2009.  Evans has now played in 121 games in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 157 times for 561 yards (3.6 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also has caught 40 passes for 328 yards (8.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  This should help upgrade the offense a little bit in 2009.