Scott Fujita didn't want to leave New Orleans, but the Browns made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Fujita is 30 and this is probably his final NFL contract.
The Browns gave him $8 million guaranteed over three years (three years, $14 million total). He wouldn't have gotten half of that from the Saints. He'll be a good role model for a young defense and play for a year or two.
SI.col columnist Peter King saw the Saints highlights film and came away impressed. Wrote King: "I think NFL Films did a heck of a job on the Saints ' Super Bowl video -- with one exception. The video comes out on Tuesday, and I highly recommend it for the (as usual) inside the game aspects that you'll never see anywhere else. I got a chance to preview the DVD this weekend, and the only thing the video doesn't capture, in opinion, is how different this Super Bowl title was from the others.
King noted that this Super Bowl was a win as much for the area and the Who Dat Nation as it was for the team. He thought NFL Films should have touched that more and missed how important the Tuesday Super Bowl parade deserved more than the credits rolling over at the end of the video.
The Saints are going to produce their own DVD of the parade and other events, and NFL Films wasn't allowed to use much of those events. That's a shame.
Here are some of the highlights of the DVD:
Scott Fujita miked, came to the sideline and reported on the mantra that was the defensive game plan against Peyton Manning. "I'm getting Peyton good, man.Got him three times."
Sean Payton presaged the Manning first-half touchdown to Pierre Garcon right over sub Usama Young. "Saw that one coming a mile away."
In the second half, Payton walks to defensive assistant Joe Vitt, one of his most trusted coaches, and said, "Dallas Clark's got 149 yards now. Let's not let their best player beat us. That's a sin."
Payton to an inactive player late in the game. "I want a piece of Juicy Fruit! Is this Juicy Fruit? It's good."
What a year Pierre Thomas had. He's the most underrated player on the team. Easy.
What a playoff season Reggie Bush had. The Saints have to keep him, even at $8 million a year, in 2010.
Payton talking to his offense on the sideline before attempting the fourth-and-one in overtime of the NFC championship game, the two-yard plunge by Pierre Thomas. "You've the got the call, right? I love the call. I don't like it, I love it. Hey, don't think. Ball security, Pierre."
Great reversal by referee Scott Green on the two-point conversion pass to Lance Moore. You can see it clearly -- Jacob Lacey kicks the ball out of Moore's hands when he has possession and has the ball stretched over the goal.
SOME HITHER, OTHERS YON: The Giants are considering free agent Mark Brunell to back up Eli Manning. Brunell, who backed up Drew Brees last season, and Jeff Garcia are in the running for the job. Both are 40. It's not clear if the Saints want Brunell back...Former LSU safety Ryan Clark, who prepped at Shaw in Marrero, is a free agent with the Steelers, and will get a look at Miami on Monday, "There were a lot of teams that showed interest in me, and were a good fit," said Clark, 30, "but the Dolphins look like a good spot.".Clark ended his 2007 season early after having his spleen and gall bladder removed after a game at Denver in the thin air caused by problems with his blood because a sickle cell trait. He lost 30 pounds but returned the next season...Saints running back Mike Bell will visit Seattle this week...Former LSU wide receiver Josh Reed, released by the Bills, will visit Kansas City this week...