FanHouse TroyEvans

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

Gregg Williams hasn't informed a free agent decision for New Orleans yet, hasn't hand-picked the inevitable defensive playmaker the Saints choose with their 14th-overall selection this year, hasn't installed a single scheme in a minicamp. Yet Williams' reputation has preceded him to the Crescent City, and his hiring as defensive coordinator is already considered one of the most important moves in team history.

After almost two decades of guaranteed defensive putridity, the last three of which have revolved around Gary Gibbs' lack of talent identification and bland scheming, the idea of Williams and his history of intelligent, hard-working, active, complex defenses coming to the Superdome is music to the ears. It also might finally push the Saints over the top.

Dhani Jones' career as a Saint began with a bang, and ended with a whimper.

After announcing his decision to sign with New Orleans right before training camp live on the NFL Network, the Saints announced that they cut Jones (along with eight other players) in the continuing effort to get down to 53 players by the deadline tomorrow.

Jones is the type of player who is overrated because he's a "name"; he's got a notable personality off the field (sort of like how people assume Kirsten Dunst is a good actress). In reality, he's an average linebacker that Philadelphia was thrilled to rid themselves of in the first place. He didn't pick up the New Orleans system quickly enough and played flat-out poorly this preseason, taking a number of penalties and looking generally lost.

If the Saints keep six linebackers, as expected, this bodes well for seventh-round pick Marvin Mitchell, who would back up Mark Simoneau in the middle and get in the action on running downs (where he excels). Mitchell has had a strong camp, both at linebacker and on special teams. Brian Simmons, Simoneau's current backup, could take the second-team strongside spot Jones is vacating. With Troy Evans making the team on the strength of his special teams play, this would leave Alfred Fincher (who had an interception in last night's victory over Miami) as the odd man out.

Another team might take a flier on Jones, but they'll be getting little more than a stellar bow-tie collection. At this point Jones, by all accounts a good guy (despite my "honest" appraisal of his talents above) with a great personality, might be better off displaying that neckwear in the television studio.

Prior to the Texans-Browns game, I was with all the other contestants in the Ultimate Texans Fan contest inside the tunnel that the home players exit. We saw various groups of players hit the field for pregame warmups.

My buddy Josh took this YouTube video of the linebackers as they were about to enter the field. The loudest of the linebackers was Troy Evans, a leader on special teams. He's really nice, puts out great effort, and is a good locker room guy. He's good to the fans too.

Being in the tunnel was like being part of NFL films without the voice [cool link alert] and the music. I wish all the fans could experience that but the video is the best I could do.