Bobby McCray

It’s not often that the defending Super Bowl champions cut a starting defensive player out of the blue in the middle of June.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints surprisingly have released defensive end Bobby McCray today. There have been reports of a roster bonus due soon that likely triggered this transaction.

McCray, who signed as a free-agent with New Orleans in 2008, started eight games in that time span, recording 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. When Charles Grant was lost for the season in 2009, McCray filled in and started all throughout the playoffs.

His salary wasn’t the only thing working against him, however. The team signed ex-Chicago Bear Alex Brown in early April as the replacement for one of the end spots opposite Will Smith.

McCray should latch on to another team’s roster, probably in a rotational role.

Jammal Brown

From all indications, it looks as if Jammal Brown has had enough of New Orleans.

The former Pro Bowl left tackle, according to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, wants the team to release him if they won’t give him a contract extension, which they haven’t done and aren’t going to do.

What they also won’t do is cut him and give him up for nothing. Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times Picayune says “Brown isn’t going anywhere“.

Still an unsigned restricted free-agent, Brown will basically play on a one-year contract at $3.5 million. Not exactly chump change, but not the money he’s looking for either.

When he hits free-agency in 2011, his value won’t be high because he’s not expected to start this season, killing his chances at a big payday with another team.

The new Final Eight rules impacting the eight playoff teams from last season currently affect who they can/cannot sign. As those rules are set to cease in July, there are two transactions that are waiting in the wings.

According to Chris Mortensen, of ESPN, “you can basically bank on” quarterbacks Mark Brunell, of the Saints, and Patrick Ramsey signing with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, respectively. These moves are expected to take place on July 22, the day the Final Eight rules are out of effect.

Obviously, both of these players would be joining their new teams in a backup capacity.

The Jets have long expressed interest in Brunell, as they have made it a priority to add a veteran QB to backup and mentor the young Mark Sanchez. It would be a good signing too, as both Sanchez and Brunell have a similar playing style. Current backup Kellen Clemens will likely be released on July 23, or thereabouts.

For New Orleans, they’d need someone to replace Brunell, should he depart to NY, as the backup to Drew Brees and he’s their guy. Reportedly, the team favors the out-of-work Ramsey, who last played with the Detroit Lions, over their other current options.

Roman Harper

While running back Pierre Thomas waits to sign his contract extension, the Saints have another player who wants the same treatment.

According to ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli, strong safety Roman Harper, who is yet to sign his one-year, $2.521 million tender, would like a long-term deal.

Harper is participating in the team’s OTA sessions – unlike other players who recently have clamored for contract extensions – and is continuing to work hard, even though the two sides aren’t close on a new deal.

The Saints reportedly have bigger priorities than Harper, such as Thomas’ extension and a re-worked deal for quarterback Drew Brees. Earlier this month, New Orleans made Jahri Evans the richest guard in NFL history.

Last season, Harper tallied a staggering 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was also selected to his first Pro Bowl.

Joe Horn

Obviously, there’s no question that Joe Horn’s playing days are over, but if he’s going to retire, he wants to do it on the team that allowed him to shine for seven seasons.

That team would be the world champion New Orleans Saints, who Horn wants to sign a one-day contract with to officially call it a career.

Horn, who played on the Saints from 2000-2006, split after the ‘06 season and didn’t go quietly. He went on to play for the rival Atlanta Falcons for just one season, 2007, and didn’t have much success

He said that by New Orleans winning the Superbowl last season, it gave everyone a chance to “forgive and forget.”

Whether he retires now or later, the 38-year old Horn will have finished his highly productive NFL career with 603 receptions, 8,744 yards, and 58 touchdown catches. He also made the Pro Bowl four consecutive years in a row (2001, 2o02, 2003, 2004).

Pierre Thomas

Running back Pierre Thomas could be cashing in this summer.

According to SI.com’s Peter King, New Orleans will sign Thomas, who is currently a restricted free-agent, to a long-term extension before training camp commences; meaning the team has until July 31 to get something done, which is plenty of time.

2. I think I’ve heard reliably the Saints will lock up running back Pierre Thomas before training camp begins, which is smart. I’ve said it before and will say it as often as I have to for people to believe it: Thomas was the unsung hero, times four, of the Saints’ Super Bowl. The number of huge plays he made — and not just in the playoffs — equal any player on the team in 2009, other than Drew Brees.

Thomas was key in last year’s Super Bowl run for the Saints, running for six touchdowns and catching two, including a 16-yarder in Super Bowl XLIV.

With Mike Bell gone, and Reggie Bush taking a backseat, Thomas, if he can avoid the same injuries that slowed him down last season (knee, hamstring, ribs), should put up gaudy stats as apart of that explosive offense in 2010.

Clint Ingram

Jason La Canfora, of NFL.com, is reporting that free-agent linebacker Clint Ingram has an offer on the table from the Saints and is thinking things over. La Canfora seems to think there’s a fairly good chance this will happen, saying he “could well end up” with the Super Bowl champs.

Ingram spent all four years of his career in Jacksonville before they made him a free-agent on April 26. Two days later, Ingram visited ‘Nawlins, and should he sign there, he’d be re-united with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

It would be a good move for New Orleans as they need help at outside linebacker, and Ingram would only command around the veteran minimum. I suspect he’ll be signed within the next few days.

RG Jahri Evans

One member of the Super Bowl champion Saints just got paid. A lot.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the team has signed right guard Jahri Evans to a contract extension worth $56.7 million over seven years; that’s $8.1 million annually, the biggest contract doled out to a guard in league history.

A key cog on that New Orleans offensive line, Evans hasn’t missed a start in four seasons and was named an All-Pro last season. At only 27 years of age (by the time the season starts), his elite status should be secured for a long time.

Closing out the second-round, the Saints go offensive line and draft tackle Charles Brown from USC.

Brown’s a bit of a project, very raw and developmental. I don’t envision Brown getting much, if any, playing time his first couple of seasons. He’s more than likely being groomed as the future at LT for the Super Bowl Champion Saints.

Day One ends with Super Bowl 44 MVP Drew Brees walking up to the podium.

Awwww, Jared Allen won’t be on the cover of Madden 2011.

The Saints pick Patrick Robinson, CB out of Florida State. Corners are a little weak in this years draft so it’s not a huge surprise Robinson squeaks into Round One. He’s not a big hitter, but has the prototype CB build and size. Good hands, a ball first kinda guy. Maybe they can teach him to be a bit more physical.

Not much fanfare for that kid. The day ended on a fizzle.

Thanks to my partner, BG. This was a fun round for us. We’ll be back tomorrow to provide you with pick by pick coverage from rounds 2 & 3.