Great read. check out the entire article.

The New Orleans Saints are in a position of power under new NFL rules

By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

February 28, 2010, 4:00AM


The high-rise condo market in Dubai looks more prosperous than the NFL free agent market, which begins at 11 p.m. Thursday.

The teams hold all the cards, none moreso than the Saints, who are operating from an unprecedented position of power.

In a very short period, the Saints have built themselves into the NFC's New England Patriots.
The Saints are coming off a Super Bowl title. Their star quarterback is in his prime. Their locker room is solid. And their offensive and defensive systems are state-of-the-art.
What's more, they play in a small market where the media is non-intrusive and the fan support is unrivaled.
What player wouldn't want to play here?

You think every NFL player didn't watch the Dat Tuesday parade with envy?
Think those Vikings and Colts players that returned to desolate airports in frigid Minneapolis and Indianapolis don't long for the unconditional love Saints players receive in New Orleans?
What defensive player wouldn't want to play in Gregg Williams' attack defense?
What receiver or running back wouldn't want to play in Sean Payton's pinball offense, with Drew Brees at the trigger?

New Orleans is now a destination NFL market. It's a powerful -- and for the Saints, rare -- position to hold.

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...ts_are_in.html