By Rich Tandler
Here are some players who will be free agents to watch during today’s Saints-49ers game.
49ers: QB Alex Smith, WR Ted Ginn
Smith will never threaten to join the 5,000-yard club or anything but it’s not often that a quarterback who led his team to the second seed in the playoffs hits the market. Ginn has not had a great career after being a top-10 draft pick but he’s a burner and the Redskins are always in need of speed.
Saints: WR Marques Coltson, NT Aubrayo Franklin, WR Robert Meachem, CB Tracy Porter, DL Shaun Rogers
It is entirely possible that Colston and Meachem are average receivers who put up nice numbers thanks to Sean Payton’s offense and Drew Brees’ arm. Still, at the right price, either player could represent an upgrade over what the Redskins currently have. At various times over the past few years there have been rumors floating around that Franklin and/or Rogers would be joining the Redskins but there is probably no longer room on the team for massive defensive linemen on the wrong side of 30. Washington needs playmakers in the defensive backfield and Porter made a huge play on the biggest stage of them all, returning an interception of Peyton Manning’s pass for a touchdown to clinch Super Bowl XLIV for the Saints.
Note: Drew Brees’ contract expires after this season but it is expected that the Saints will use the franchise tag on him if they do not sign him to a long-term deal prior to the start of free agency.
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