By Pat Yasinskas

New Orleans Saints

1. Decide what to do with Reggie Bush. The running back/return man is scheduled to make almost $12 million and count $16 million against the cap. That’s not going to happen, but the Saints have indicated they’d like to keep Bush if they can work out a contract extension that would spread money around. The Saints drafted running back Mark Ingram in the first round, but Bush still could play plenty of roles with this team. Sean Payton has been creative with the ways he’s used Bush, who has been productive when healthy. Last year’s injury problems at running back showed the Saints can’t have enough depth at the position.

2. Make some key secondary decisions. Safeties Darren Sharper and Roman Harper are both potential unrestricted free agents, so the Saints have to make some choices. Sharper’s past his prime and is a free safety. That position now belongs to Malcolm Jenkins. Harper has been the starting strong safety and has been solid. Harper shouldn’t command huge money on the open market, and the Saints would be wise to re-sign him. If they do, they should have one of the league’s better secondaries.

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By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

ULY

July 25 NFL will publish the 2011 Free Agency List, which will become effective July 29, at 5 p.m.

July 26 at 9 a.m., Club facilities open. Players may report for physicals and voluntary strength and conditioning.

At 9 a.m., trading begins for 2011 league year.

Rosters expanded to ninety (90) man limit.

At 9 a.m., Clubs may negotiate with and sign their drafted rookies and any undrafted rookie. Clubs may have such players report to the team’s facilities for physical examinations before signing.

All 2011 Contracts signed on or after July 26 shall be binding upon the player and the Club when signed, but shall not become effective unless a CBA is ratified by the NFLPA (August 4)

At 9 a.m., Clubs may negotiate with, but not sign, or extend offer sheets to their UFAs, RFAs, exclusive rights players and franchise players and other clubs’ UFAs, RFAs, non-exclusive franchise players and free agents.

July 26-27, a  lub may require a player to report for a mandatory physical examination in order for the player to qualify for any bonus in a preexisting contract if the “measuring date” for such a bonus has been changed pursuant to CBA Article 11 (transition rules for the 2011 league year).

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The New Orleans Saints released a statement from Owner Tom Benson, reacting to the end of the NFL’s labor dispute and return to football:

“We are all very pleased to announce that football is back. And we believe collectively that our game will move forward stronger than ever. I wish to offer a sincere debt of gratitude to our fans for their patience and understanding.

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