Brees And Saints Still Far Apart On Contract

 ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported today that the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees remain "a ways apart" in their contract negotiations. Why does Brees continue to state that a deal will be done soon?

Saints fans are worried that Brees will be slapped with the franchise tag if a contract is not worked out by March 5th. If that's the case, New Orleans would not be able to use the tag on either Marques Colston, or Carl Nicks. Both players are high-profile free agents that will be expensive on the open market.

Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune feels like the report was planted by Tom Condon, Brees' agent. It's a good theory, and it certianly wouldn't be the first time an agent has gone that route; or perhaps the two sides are truly a "ways apart."

While everyone on earth knows that Drew Brees will be a Saint next season, the future of Nicks and Colston in the Crescent City is questionable. Being able to use the franchise tag on either would go a long way to securing their future in New Orleans. If the tag must be used on Brees due to lagging negotiations, then the possibility of both Nicks and Colston playing elsewhere next season becomes very real.

The Saints don't have a first round pick in this year's NFL draft, but trust me, right now they're on the clock.