It’s February 29th, a day that only comes once every Leap Year.  Legend has it that today is the only day of the year when a woman is allowed to propose to a man.  It’s also the day when hundreds of brides line up outside Filene’s basement looking to get a good deal on a discounted wedding dress. 

Leap day, a day of courting and good deals.   Oh yeah, and it’s also Free Agent Friday.  That can’t be a coincidence. 

The question of who the Saints might be courting is really a question of what the Saints need.  Yes, we need a secondary.  Sure, we could use another good wide receiver, as Colston can’t keep doing it alone.  But we also need some help with our defensive front four.  Sure our O-line can be a little inconsistent, but not enough to load off a bunch of salary cap dough on a talented free agent. 

Below we leap to conclusions about who the Saints could and should have their eyes on to plug some major holes. 

Cornerbacks

Best of the Bunch: A$ante $amuel (NE)

First we heard it was a done deal with the pricey Patriots cornerback.  Then the Saints released a statement that they weren’t even close to signing A$ante to the team.  And according to foxsports.com,  the Eagles have confirmed that $amuel plans to visit with the team today and is close to striking a 6 year deal worth 60 million bucks if the corner meets all of his incentives. $o long A$ante! 

Others to look at: The Chargers’ Drayton Florence & Tampa Bay’s Brian Kelly (both of whom are being courted by the Lions.)  There’s also a much cheaper Patriot up for grabs, Randall Gay. 

Linebackers:

Best of the Bunch: Lance Briggs (CHI)

The high profile player will also come at a hefty price.  But the Saints are desperate to shore up their protection up front.  (Anybody member how we let Brian Westbrook AND Donovan McNabb act a fool on the Saints’ lineman in week 16.) 

Others to look at: Arizona’s Calvin Pace, who posted impressive numbers last season and Pittsburgh’s Clark Haggans.

 Kickers:  Seattle’s Josh Brown is the only kicker up for grabs in free agency.  Depending on what he’s asking, might be worth a look.   

So what’s the free agency bottom line? It all depends on the Saints’ bottom line.  Afterall, you gotta pay to play.  But before the Saints go shelling out big bucks on a player who won’t be able to produce long term, they’d be wise to look before they leap…no matter what the calendar says.