re: $40 million in dead money against the cap??

I don't see why everyone is so worked up about this NOW. The time to get mad was when everyone was high 5ing and Lupus was making it happen.

We tried to extend that 2011 window too long and between that and some terrible judgment calls on character: Galette, Graham, Browner, we find ourselves in the current position.

They realized this after last season and began the purge: Grubbs, Stills, Galette, Graham.

They still whiffed non 2015 FA with Browner and Spiller, and the draft is a big question mark but the character of the team is 100 percent improved.

Laurinaitis kinda sucks and so does Harper but they will hopefully serve as a bridge for the next defensive leaders: Bell, Vaccaro, Breaux, Anthony, etc.

The last two years were set up to make one last run with Brees. I think we're still another year away. It's going to take a lot of luck to be honest and it's all hinged on Brees staying healthy and continuing to play at an All Pro level.

Then they're going to have to hit HARD on pass rushers and interior OL.

It's only week 2 but I believe they see this as a transition year. They're not keeping guys they don't want for the final push. Thus cut and run on guys like Spiller. Byrd will be gone the minute they can afford it.

I believe the plan is this:

- Find pass rushers this off season
- Find G help and possibly RT if Peat can't transition
- Cut the last of the dead weight - Byrd
- Bridge Anthony's return to the middle by learning from JL
- By force, not choice, accelerate the learning curve of the CBs (Wiliams, Harris, Crawley)
- Let Lutz settle in as the long-term solution at K
- Ease Bell in so he's ready to start next year in place of Byrd

Next orders of business:

- Extend Vaccaro
- Extend Snead