Akiem Hicks – #92
Nick Toon – #88
Corey White – #24
Andrew Tiller – #67
Marcel Jones – #70

Rookie Free Agents Jersey Numbers:
Chris Givens – #17
Malcolm Beyah – #18
Adrian Davis – #20
Jose Gumbs – #22
Laron Scott – #34
Jerico Nelson – #37
Johnny Thomas – #38
Travaris Cadet – #39
Aaron Tevis – #44
Kadarron Anderson – #46
Stephen Johnson – #53
Braylon Broughton – #62
Brian Folkerts – #63
Tyrunn Walker – #68
Aderious Simmons – #76
Dan Hoch – #79
Jacob Byrne – #82
Kevin Hardy – #86

Additionally, the following players have changed numbers:

Chris Chamberlain is now #56
David Hawthorne is now #57
Swanson Miller is now #97
Greg Romeus is now #99

I'm pleasantly surprised that Jimmy Graham and not Gronkowski was drafted in the first round

4. Cleveland Browns – Drew Brees, QB: Just what Saints fans need: More bad news. Fortunately, this is of the hypothetical variety, but given Brees' contentious contract situation, the thought of the franchise's locker-room leader not being in the fold hits a little close to home. In this case, after drafting the exceptionally productive passer, Browns owner Randy Lerner is happy to fork over a massive contract; considering that he paid team president Mike Holmgren a reported $50 million to come to Cleveland in December 2009, a nine-figure deal for Brees seems like a relative bargain.

27. New Orleans Saints – Ray Rice, RB: With soon-to-be-suspended general manager Mickey Loomis presiding over the team's War Room – and banished coach Sean Payton popping in via hologram, Tupac-style – the Saints give their fan base a reason to smile. Rice is a resplendent runner who'd make an already prolific offense even tougher to contain, despite the fact that Payton won't be around to run it in 2012. One slight snag: Rice, like Brees, is seeking a long-term deal and has yet to sign his franchise tender. On a positive note, he ought to be able to cash in on a red beans and Rice endorsement from one of NOLA's many awesome eateries.

28. Green Bay Packers – Jimmy Graham, TE: Yeah, I know: general manager Ted Thompson needs a quarterback to replace Rodgers. No, Brett Favre, that phone won't be ringing … and no, Thompson isn't drafting Jay Cutler, Matt Ryan, Josh Freeman or any other signal-caller. Instead, he sticks to his best-player-available philosophy and takes Graham, who blossomed into a star during his second season in New Orleans. Back in the Saints' War Room, the Payton hologram just removed his shirt in disgust.

According to ESPN's John Clayton, the Saints and Drew Brees are now within $2 million per year of each other on a long-term contract.
The latest reports had the sides $5 million per year apart, so there's apparently been tangible progress in April. "You get the feeling they'll get something done," Clayton said. "It's just going to be weeks, a couple of days, could take them a month. But overall, they've moved closer, not in the last couple of weeks, but at least a couple of weeks ago."

Just putting a link over here for a naming the Hornets post I put over at "At The Hive"

Due more than $6 million between salary and bonuses, the New Orleans Times-Picayune believes Saints DT Sedrick Ellis is a candidate for release.
Going into the final year of his rookie deal, the former No. 7 pick notched just 29 tackles and 0.5 sacks last season despite playing 723 snaps. However, the Times-Picayune believes the Saints will likely give Ellis one more chance to prove himself under new DC Steve Spagnuolo. He could still be asked to take a pay-cut.

Yes!

"I texted Drew today with the question, "It is being reported that you have expressed that you will not sign your franchise tender. Is that true?" Drew's direct response: "I am reserving all comments and discussions with the Saints directly."

Meanwhile, I also talked today to a person in the Drew Brees camp. Despite some online reports that Brees is "livid" about the franchise tag, that person says Drew still maintains optimism to work out a long-term deal with the Saints. I was told by that person that Brees will go through the process of the tag and hopes to sign a new deal before July 15th."

In the comments we actually got some respect from more than a few Philly fans!

(FFW'D to New Orleans just for YOU!)

Brees, Vilma, Evans, and Coston get mentioned

The nine-year veteran was cut by the Steelers Saturday. He'll see time in two-tight end sets as a blocking specialist in New Orleans. Gilmore has never caught more than 15 passes in a season.

From the guys over at Pride Of Detroit