Saints Nation Fans Have Spoken: Saints-Vikings Matchup Most Likely to Open Up 2010 Season

For those of you that don't know, the SuperBowl Champion always opens up the regular season the following year at home on a Thursday night. Based on the possible opponents the Saints could face to open the 2010 season, rumor has it the Steelers and Vikings are the most likely season opening opponents for the Saints. On the Saints Nation poll, fans voted 63% in favor of the Vikings in a rematch of the 2009 season NFC Championship over the Pittsburgh Steelers. We'll find out soon enough! Thanks for your participation and please vote in the new Saints Nation poll on the right side of the site: Which free agent are you most willing to part ways with this offseason?

Saints Nation's Top 15 Plays of the 2009 Season: #8 Reggie Bush's Touchdown Leap @ Dolphins

This play is just amazing. I mean, can anyone in the league do a better job of finding a way to cross the goal line? This is good enough for the 8th best play of the season.

Saints Nation's Top 15 Plays of the 2009 Season: #9 Jonathan Vilma's Game Winning Stop @ Falcons

Vilma deserves props for winning this game not once, but twice. First he intercepted Chris Redman late in the 4th quarter with the Saints up 3. Then, after a boneheaded decision to fake a field goal which was unsuccessful, Vilma stood up Chris Snelling on a 4th and 2 short of the first down to seal the game for good. This is my #9 play of the season. You can view his plays towards the end of the game highlights above at the 4:03 mark.

Saints Nation: More New Orleans Saints Players Tendered

Several more of the restricted free agent Saints players have been offered contracts. The tenders are as follows per Nola.com:

Jammal Brown: 1st and 3rd round tender compensation
Roman Harper: 1st round tender compensation
Pierre Thomas: 2nd Round tender compensation
Lance Moore: 2nd Round tender compensation
Anthony Hargrove: 3rd Round tender compensation

Per Nola.com: "They also offered undisclosed deals to defensive tackle Remi Ayodele, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, safety Chris Reis, tight end David Thomas and receiver Courtney Roby."

This leaves the following restricted free agents not yet tendered: Mike Bell, Jahri Evans (pictured), Leigh Torrence, Jeff Charleston and Kyle Eckel.

In all cases I think the Saints are pretty safe in that they can match any offer made to any player they've already tendered. I'd say that the player most at risk is Pierre Thomas, who could easily be worth a 2nd rounder in the eyes of some teams. As mentioned previously, though, the Saints could match any offer sheet he signs. The fact that the Saints have yet to tender Mike Bell is somewhat surprising. They have until March 4th to formalize all of their offers, so there's a chance he could still be made an offer by them. Some speculation has been made that the Saints are letting him go to open up the roster space for Drew Brees' former teammate and long time friend LaDainian Tomlison. I'd say that at this point that's a little premature.

As for Jahri Evans, rumor has it the Saints are working on a long term extension. Evans is arguably the best offensive guard in the NFL, and there's is absolutely zero chance of the Saints letting him go anywhere. I think it's safe to assume that, at the very least, he'll be offered a 1st & 3rd round compensation level tender like Jammal Brown, if the two sides can't agree on a long term deal first.

Saints Nation's Top 15 Plays of the 2009 Season: #10 - Lance Moore's 2 Point Conversion in the SuperBowl

This gets my #10 play of the season. I think we all remember this one very well. Seriously, how did he make that play?

Saints Nation: Jermon Bushrod offered 2nd round tender

Jermon Bushrod (pictured) has been offered a contract to return to the team at a 2nd round tender. Like Strief and Usama Young, the Saints can now match any offer that's made by another NFL team, and they will receive a 2nd round draft pick as compensation should they choose to let him go. Sounds like Bushrod will be back in 2009. It remains to be seen what they will do with injured starter Jammal Brown now that Strief and Bushrod are likely to both come back. (Story HERE)

Saints Nation's Top 15 Plays of the 2009 Season: #11 - Mike McKenzie Returning to Intercept Tom Brady vs. Patriots

My #11 play of the Saints' 2009 season can be seen on the video link above. The play in question happens at around the 53 second mark. This play had more special significance than most, as Mike McKenzie was a old time Saints that was brought back the week of this game. McKenzie was a long time Saint, and his return to the team had a special meaning for many of the fans. He didn't disappoint, either. McKenzie had a fantastic game throughout, and he intercepted one of the best all time quarterbacks in NFL history in Tom Brady.