Saints Need to Sign Difference Maker – Not Another Old Man

“Defense”.

It’s the one thing on everyone’s mind in New Orleans, because it wasn’t on the field last season.

Defense is the priority now that the Saints have shored up their offense, or at least Mark Ingram.

The Saints are now looking at Mason Foster of the Buccaneers and possibly Parnell McPhee of Baltimore. I’ll say the one thing no one is saying.

No one wants a busted up, on the mend, hoping to get back to the glory days veteran.

If Mickey Loomis is so willingly to go all out on huge contracts or at least he did before. Why not one more time?

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Thus far in this free agency period, players have gotten way overpaid. Former Detroit Lions NT  Ndamukong Suh was paid $114 million by the Miami Dolphins.

Worry not, there are still good players who aren’t on the decline or previously injured up for grabs like Kendall Langford  — who just visited New Orleans this past weekend.

Let’s be honest, even a seasoned veteran like Langford might not get the job done. What the Saints really need is a player who is worth the money without question and will make offense take notice immediately.

If the Saints are willing to spend good money on retaining Mark Ingram, what’s stopping them from getting a defensive back of equal or better talent for Rob Ryan?

The Saints inability last year to make things happen on defense wasn’t Rob Ryan’s fault.

It wasn’t that  Drew Brees couldn’t throw enough touchdowns. It was because when the chips were down and it counted the most, the Saints couldn’t have stopped Sir Saint from scoring on them.

It’s with great hope and anticipation that the Saints front office see the folly of their ways.

Does anyone remember Jason David? Or how about Patrick Robinson? Not exactly hitting the ball out of the park here with these past players.

That’s why it is so important this off-season that the Saints get it right. How could they do that this time?

Two players come to mind.

The first one is the soon to be former Eagle outside linebacker Brandon Graham.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham (55) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Graham is a formidable presence on the Eagles’ defense that would make an immediate impact for the Saints. The Eagles are in a bind as far as Graham, since they just recently have gotten commitments from Frank Gore and Bryon Maxwell.

What does that mean for Graham? It means his payday will have to come from somewhere else.

Why not New Orleans?

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The second player that the Saints could use to help make a big impact on defense is former Carolina Panther defensive end Greg Hardy.

While you all say hit the brakes on this guy for his off the field problems Hardy is the type of player that not only will make a difference on the field during the game, he will come at a discounted price because of problems.

Make no mistake about it, Greg Hardy will be looking for redemption on the field as well as off of it. New Orleans is and always has been a city that embraces their football players.

The Saints are hoping to get a player like a Perrish Cox or a Davon House. Instead, they should be looking for one of the remaining big or semi-big names to help fill some holes on a much needed maligned defense.

The idea of bringing a freshly recovered or looking to be valid again veteran to the squad only re-ignites visions of Jairus Bryd last year.

That is something that CAN’T happen again, if New Orleans wishes to be a contender in 2015………..

Next: Versatile LB Mason Foster is What Saints Defense Needs