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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Welp, it's been fun

There are more free agents beyond just these three, but if the Saints are interested in putting together one last run at things before this group falls apart completely, they'll have to bring Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Carl Nicks back. It's also extremely unlikely they'll be able to do that.

For one thing, the Saints and Brees spent the first half of 2011 trying to hammer out an extension before giving up on that idea in frustration. Brees is now holds several NFL records he did not own at the beginning of this year. If the Saints continue to lowball him, he has every right to either walk or hold out.

Colston, meanwhile, could unwittingly become a bargaining chip between the Saints and Brees where the Saints could claim that Brees will have to bend for them if he wants them to afford to bring back his best receiver. If I'm Colston I might walk just on the general principle of not wanting to be used in this way. He's already said, he won't be granting the Saints a "hometown discount" and I believe him.

Probably Brees will be back but expect the negotiations to be longer and tougher than you might think. Colston, I'd give about a 30% chance. Nicks is reportedly gone already.

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