OTAs are complete, minicamp is on deck and then New Orleans Saints players and coaches can take a hiatus. So, too, will the mailbag take a break. Here's this week's edition.
@RsAii: Why, oh why, Roman Harper? Jairus Byrd-Kenny Vaccaro-Vonn Bell isn't a good fit?
@willimorg7: Why sign Roman Harper back?
JD:Why not? I mean, if the belief is that Harper can help improve the defense, why not sign him if it's affordable (and, apparently, it is)? It's not an indictment on the Byrd-Vaccaro-Bell triumvirate; instead, it's an addition to the position and no NFL team – or NBA, NHL, MLB, CFL or AFL team, for that matter – can have too many good players, or be unwilling to try to sign them.
@datjohnnyboy: With the Saints bringing back Roman Harper, will Jairus Byrd still be a starting safety or will that go to Harper?
JD:Two different skill sets, and positions. Harper is more of an in-the-box strong safety and Byrd is more of a center fielder at free safety. They're more likely to be on the field together in a three-safety package than it's likely that Harper will be starting at Byrd's position. Rookie safety Vonn Bell would more likely challenge for snaps with Byrd, especially if Byrd is limited by injury or recovery.
@brees4l1fe: Who will start at safety?
JD:If Jairus Byrd is healthy and ready to go, then he and Kenny Vaccaro are the incumbents. If the Saints go three safety starters in a sub package, it could be those two and rookie Vonn Bell, or those two and Roman Harper. If there's an injury, we'll have to reassess.
@whodatnation96:Is Drew Brees leaving the Saints in 2016 if we can't negotiate a contract for him?
JD:As I've said in previous mailbags, no, I don't think Brees is leaving. I don't have anything resembling inside information, I'm just playing the percentages of what has been a successful relationship.
@realBoyRomantic: If we sign Drew Brees, how is the dead cap money looking? Any improvement?
JD:We really won't know how much cap relief the Saints would derive from a new contract for Brees until we see the structure of it. Until then, it's just guesswork.
@Christal_XoLv: Are any more former Saints coming back to the team?
JD:If they're on the market and the franchise believes they can aid in the process of winning – and the price is right – it's possible.
