This the seventh part of our series breaking down each team’s needs (by division)  headed into the draft tomorrow evening. In case you missed our previous posts, feel free to take a look here.

As always, we want to hear what you think, so don’t hesitate to leave us your thoughts in the comment thread.

Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

Analysis: Last season was definitely a big letdown for the Falcons, who were expecting big things after a strong season in 2008. The acquisition of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez definitely helped the offense, but mediocre performances and injuries at other key positions caused Atlanta to falter at all the wrong times last year. That said, winning nine games gave them back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their history, which is definitely something to be proud of. Look for more of the same this year, with essentially the same cast of characters back to push for a Super Bowl run. Read the rest of this entry »

Coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign during which he tore his ACL, defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson was determined to enter free agency this off-season and find a club willing to take a short term chance, allowing him to parlay a solid season into a nice contract next year.

That goal became a reality earlier this morning with Wilkerson signing a one year contract with New Orleans. The deal is worth $2 million, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Wilkerson comes to the Saints from Tampa Bay, and should provide a solid level of production off the bench, rotating in to spell the starters along the Saints defensive line. If he can play well and stay healthy all season long, Wilkerson should see much more interest in his services next spring.

Wed @ 3:55 pm – Brown’s new contract is worth approximately $6 million, according to NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora.

3:35 pm – The Bucs will have to search elsewhere for a new defensive end. Schefter is reporting that the Saints have reached a two year deal with Brown.

11:45 am – Just four days into his new found free agent status, former Bears defensive end Alex Brown has two definite suitors for his services lined up in New Orleans and Tampa Bay, according to multiple sources.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported earlier this week that Brown was scheduled to stop off in New Orleans yesterday to visit with the Saints, and while he could sign there without leaving, it seems as though Brown will move on to Tampa Bay later on this week before making a decision. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown will work out with the Buccaneers tomorrow.

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Patiently biding his time before making a decision on where he’ll play next season, free agent safety Darren Sharper has not ruled out heading back to New Orleans for an encore campaign, but stressed that his choice will be the best fit financially and emotionally for his family.

Sharper discussed his status as a free agent with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen last night, and seemed unconcerned with his health heading into next season, despite having arthroscopic surgery on his knee earlier in the off-season.

Teams likely to be interested in acquiring Sharper include Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle, and Miami.

We previously reported that restricted free agent running back Mike Bell was scheduled to visit with the Eagles this week, and after a bit of deliberation, that visit has resulted in Bell formally signing a one year offer sheet worth $1.7 million that includes $500,000 in bonus money, according to ESPN.

Bell’s current team, the New Orleans Saints, will have seven days to match this offer sheet, and because they tendered him with the right of first refusal, they will receive nothing in compensation if they decline to match.

It’s likely that Bell will be leaving the Big Easy, with the Saints deciding to hold onto Reggie Bush, in spite of his enormous salary and tendency to disappear through some parts of the season.

After losing linebacker Scott Fujita via free agency to the Cleveland Browns, the Saints are apparently using their new found freedom as a way to bolster the defensive line.

In addition to hosting veteran free agent defensive end Leonard Little, Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network is reporting they are also bringing in longtime San Diego Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams for a visit.

Williams has primarily played the nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive scheme his whole career, making his trip to New Orleans somewhat strange, as he would be playing in a much different 4-3 scheme under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The Chargers cut the three time pro bowler after missing most of last season with a triceps injury.

The Saints will not be able to acquire both Little and Williams unless they lose another free agent from their roster, due to the rules enacted under the uncapped season that prevent the final eight teams in last season’s playoffs from signing a free agent, unless they lose one of their own to another team.

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The defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are hosting their first free agent of the new NFL season.

They are bringing in former Rams defensive end Leonard Little for a visit this Wednesday.

The reason the Saints have not hosted any other free agents is because as the Super Bowl champions they fall under the new provisions of the uncapped year called the “Final Eight Plan”.

This new language restricts what the eight best eight teams from 2009 can do in free agency. The four teams who lost in the divisional round of the playoffs are allowed what is akin to the NBA’s mid level exception. Allowing them to sign one unrestricted free agent for a base salary of $5.5 million or more, in addition to anyone with a $3.7 million salary or less with a 30 percent limit on annual salary growth.

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Just a month removed from their triumphant Super Bowl victory, New Orleans is set to lose one of their top pass rushers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Saints are planning on cutting defensive end Charles Grant at some point tomorrow, making him a free agent with the ability to sign with the team of his choice. Grant has been with the Saints since 2002, joining the club as a first round pick in that season’s draft.

The move opens up a siginificant hole at the position for New Orleans, and while it’s possible they could sign one of the defensive ends in free agency, using a draft pick to address the position is much more likely.

There’s not much more in life that I enjoy than watching an entire city find redemption in the form of their favorite football team beating the odds to get to the Super Bowl. In New Orleans, we have just that, with a huge population of fans suffering through just about every possible calamity on and off the field, especially in recent times, with a franchise seemingly in disarray after Hurricane Katrina crushed the entire landscape of the Gulf Coast.

So it is with great joy that I was able to watch the Saints march into the Superdome earlier tonight and overcome a tremendous Vikings team that showed heart from start to finish, to win the NFC championship and book a trip to Miami for the Super Bowl.

This is the finish that every fan of the game wanted to see throughout most of this season, with two high flying offenses squaring off against each other in what looks to be a championship game for the ages. It marks the first time since 1994 that the top seeds in both conferences advance to the championship, and pits two of the league’s top quarterbacks in Peyton Manning (son of Saints legend Archie Manning) and Drew Brees.

Let’s not forget the fact that both defenses are equally talented in their own right, with plenty of opportunistic playmakers to create turnovers and keep opponents off the board. On paper, the advantage seemingly would lie with the Colts, although the Saints clearly have demonstrated a knack for getting stops when they need them the most.

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One of the best parts of the NFL is getting to watch late season games between two opponents with a ton of motivation to win, and tonight’s contest in New Orleans is certain to live up to that standard, with both teams in need of a win to keep their dreams alive.

For the Saints, a victory would give them home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and extend their undefeated streak to an awe-inspiring 14 straight games this season. Obviously, the right to host any and all playoff games they’re a part of is by far the biggest motivator for New Orleans, as their rowdy fan base has the ability to drive opposing teams into making major mistakes.

That said, continuing their run to perfection has a tremendous amount of pull for this team, so much so that it’s doubtful that head coach Sean Payton will take his foot off the gas and rest his starters until the season is completely finished. It could hurt them in the long run, especially if a key player gets hurt, but having the mindset of wanting win them all is admirable and will keep every member of the team focused on the task at hand.

The Cowboys on the other hand, have more than their fair share at stake in this game as well, seeing as a loss would place them squarely behind the eight ball in the race for their division title, not to mention the wild card standings. December has been extraordinarily cruel to Dallas in recent years, handing the Cowboys a losing record every year in that month since 1996, and a loss tonight would only further that misery.

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This was another close call for New Orleans, but once again they found a way to win when it mattered most. The Saints now have an all important first round bye and remain two games ahead of the Vikings for home field advantage in the NFC.  QB Drew Brees and Co. definitely aren’t showing any signs of letting up as the regular season gets close to the end, and are gunning for a perfect record to go with a run to the Super Bowl.

Final score…

New Orleans – 26

Atlanta – 23
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Every year, the 1972 Miami Dolphins gather to pop the champagne cork once the last undefeated team suffers its first loss. This season, they’re eagerly waiting for the Colts and the Saints to drop their first game and protect their legacy as the only team to complete an NFL season without a loss.

This has been a hot topic in New Orleans and Indianapolis as of late. with many pundits questioning whether teams should attempt to finish the season undefeated at all costs, or rest the starters for the playoff run. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reports that Saints coach Sean Payton will let the players choose how the team will proceed. Should the Saints wrap up home field advantage early, Payton intends to leave the decision up to his team.

When you have nothing to play for but history, it’s easy to second guess the coach if a key player is injured after the team has locked up home field advantage. By putting the decision in the player’s hands, Payton is taking some of the pressure off of himself should something go wrong. He’s letting the team decide what’s best. In the end, Payton will be accountable for whatever happens, but his decision shows that he trusts his team.