The New Orleans Saints has a total of 10 unrestricted free agents and 18 restricted free agents (including offensive tackles Jammal Brown and Jermon Bushrod, guard Jahri Evans, tailback Pierre Thomas and safety Roman Harper), thanks to the new free agent landscape. The amount of the one year restricted free agent qualifying offer varies, which ranges from $1.101 million (right of first refusal and original-draft round compensation for fourth-year players) to $3.268 million (right of first refusal, plus first- and third-round compensation for sixth-year players), or 110 percent of the player's 2009 salary and that 110 percent rule would come into play with Brown, whose salary was $3.29 million last year. So the Saints' offer would have to be at least $3.619 million this year, no matter what draft-pick compensation they designate and it's possible New Orleans might actually seek trades for some of its restricted free agents, especially at offensive tackle, where it has three experienced players in Brown, Bushrod and Strief. Source: The Times-Picayune
