NEW ORLEANS (AP) — When Demario Davis reflected on his decision to sign with New Orleans last offseason Morten Andersen Jersey 2019 , the reasons the linebacker listed had little to do with the style of defense the Saints played or even the role the club envisioned for him.Mainly, he said, it was the opportunity to play on the same team as Drew Brees — who Davis sees as the game’s greatest quarterback — and the likelihood of experiencing the playoffs for the first time in his seven-year career.“That’s the whole reason why I’m here, man. I didn’t have to be recruited. I looked at it as a situation where my only goal here is to get Drew another Super Bowl ring. So I just came to be part of the show,” Davis said. “That was huge. The best quarterback to ever play the game. I just want to be a part of it.”Suffice it to say, Davis hasn’t regretted a thing. He’ll play in his first playoff game Sunday in the Superdome against Philadelphia after what, by his own account, has been his best season yet.Playing primarily weak side linebacker — as opposed to the middle spot he played previously with the New York Jets — Davis finished this season with 110 total tackles, five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a critical fumble recovery that sealed a victory over Pittsburgh, and four pass breakups.“He’s a physical player. I think he’s a good pressure player,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He gives us a little pop there relative to his physicality.”Not all of Davis’ numbers this season were career highs, but statistics do not tell the whole story, Davis noted.“The numbers are up there with some of my best seasons, but definitely efficiency” has improved, he said. “That’s my goal every year is to be a better player than I was the year before and I think I’ve done that.“I’ve gotten more efficient as a pass rusher. I’ve been better out in space in coverage,” Davis continued. “When you’re holding one of the top running backs, or when you’re holding one of the top tight ends, and they don’t have their best day when they play you, that speaks a lot about your game. It may be an untold stat, but something I’m looking at.”Generally, the middle linebacker wears the helmet with the ear piece allowing him to receive the formation call from the defensive coordinator and relay it to teammates on the field. Davis wears it for the Saints, even though he only plays in the middle intermittently, normally moving outside while 2017 third-round draft choice Alex Anzalone occupies the inside.“He’s made a big difference. He’s a natural-born leader,” Saints defensive tackle and 2016 first-round draft choice Sheldon Rankins said. “For him to be able to step into a huddle in front of a grown group of men and command them and get everybody lined up in the right spot has been effortless for him and then, obviously, he’s been a hell of a player.”Davis, who turns 30 on Friday, grew up in Brandon, Mississippi, and played at Arkansas State before starting his NFL career as the Jets’ third-round draft pick in 2012. He joined Cleveland as a free agent in 2016 before being traded back to the Jets in 2017. New Orleans was his third team in three seasons, but he signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Saints and now seems all but certain to at least make it to Year 2.“He can do everything,” Rankins said. “You don’t have to bring guys off the sideline for him. If a team wants to come out and go five-wide, well White Morten Andersen Jersey , you can put him on a Darren Sproles-type guy and trust him in coverage. And then if a team wants to come out and run the ball at you and he’s still effective, I think that’s the sign of a great player.”Davis has had 99 or more total tackles in five seasons, and said he expected to assume a leadership role in New Orleans, even though he was in his first season and joining a team that included veterans such as 2017 All-Pro end Cam Jordan.“I’m just myself. Leaders are born and it just comes with the territory. Everywhere I’ve been, they’ve called me a leader in the locker room. I think it’s just attached to my personality,” Davis said. “I care about the guys in the locker room. … I’m going to lead by example on and off the field and I think guys just kind of gravitate to that. They gravitate to guys who set high standards for themselves and demand the same out of them.” The New Orleans Saints have one of the most talented rosters in the league. They had the NFL's best record this season, have won back to back division titles, coming within a few missed opportunities and referee robbery of the W.W.E./NFL super bowl. The Saints must rebound quickly from the heartbreaking and infuriating end to their season. The new NFL year begins in March, and with it the roster changes with free agency and the draft that affects every NFL team. While we will certainly cover free agency and the draft over the next few weeks and months, here are some pressing in-house issues that New Orleans should address as their first order of business. Contact extension for Michael Thomas Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThomas has solidified his place among the top wideouts in the game in just his third season. He had 125 receptions this season, which led the NFL and broke his own Saints franchise record. His 1,405 receiving yards was another franchise record, one of many he owns, as he's already rewritten the team's record book. Thomas is a dominant offensive threat despite the lack of a consistent weapon in the passing game, outside of running back Alvin Kamara, to shift the defensive focus away from him. His contract won't expire until the conclusion of next season, but the Saints would be wise to lock up Thomas, a 2016 2nd round draft pick, to a long term deal as soon as possible, eliminating any chances that he could hit the open market. As one of the best offensive weapons in the league, it will likely take the top wideout salary in the NFL to retain him, probably over 20 million per year. Thomas is already perhaps the best receiver in franchise history though, and has seemed to have just scratched the surface of what looks to be a brilliant career. Retain assistant coach Dennis AllenChuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsAllen, the team's defensive coordinator, drew the ire of some fans for the failure of his pass defense in the final minutes of numerous halves this season, and for the overall struggles of his pass defense. Allen's defenses have transformed into a disruptive unit over the last two seasons however, and are just as responsible for playoff runs as the team's offense. His 2018 unit ranking number 1 against the run for the majority of the season, forced 27 turnovers, and held 11 opponents to 20 points or less during the year. Allen and his defensive staff were often outstanding at making in-game adjustments, and the defense is expected to get better, with the majority of their players having been in the league four years or less. His contract expires at the official start of the league's new year, and despite some interest, Allen was not offered a head coaching position elsewhere. The Saints would be wise to keep the defense's coaching staff intact, maintaining the continuity of an underrated and rapidly improving unit. Re-sign Mark Ingram Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesIngram is the highest profile player among the Saints unrestricted free agents this spring, and certainly the most important. He had a down year in 2018, by his standards, finishing with 645 yards rushing and six touchdowns after being suspended for the first four games. One of just four backs in Saints history to have multiple 1 Bobby Hebert Jersey 2019 ,000 yard rushing seasons, he needs just 89 yards to surpass Deuce McAllister as the team's all-time rushing leader, and his 50 career rushing touchdowns are a franchise record. More importantly, the 29-yr. old Ingram is still near his prime, and is a beloved and well-respected teammate. He combines with Alvin Kamara to give New Orleans the most lethal running back combination in the league. Ingram can bulldoze for the tough yardage inside the tackles, and has the speed to get to the outside or break a big play in the open field. He's a underrated receiver, and is an outstanding pass blocker. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsThe Ingram/Kamara duo has fueled this offense for the last two seasons. They have combined for 5,501 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns in their two seasons together. Although Kamara has shown the ability to be a featured back, the Saints offense is far more effective with the two back attack. Ingram could choose a chance to be a featured back elsewhere in free agency, potentially seeking a salary of over five million per year. New Orleans hopes to keep the eight year veteran at a reasonable cap number, but with the Saints looking at expiring contracts of Michael Thomas, Andrus Peat, Vonn Bell, and David Onyemata in 2020, we shouldn't expect a large contract offer to Ingram from the team. If they can't re-sign Ingram, than the running back position will become one of the bigger needs to fill in either free agency or the draft, along with tight end, safety, and offensive line depth. Quarterback Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty ImagesThe Saints traded a 3rd round pick in the upcoming draft last August to obtain Teddy Bridgewater from the New York Jets, strengthening their quarterback depth. Bridgewater, who started a meaningless regular season finale against the Panthers and threw for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception, will become an unrestricted free agent in March. A late 1st round draft choice by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, Bridgewater looks to be recovered from a horrific knee injury that nearly ended his career three years ago. The Saints will need to decide quickly whether the he is indeed their intended replacement for Drew Brees whenever he decides to retire. The 26-yr. old Bridgewater is a proven starter for a playoff contender, but may decide to test the free agent market for an immediate starting job. The team faces a 33 million dollar cap hit in the final year of Brees contract, and cannot afford to pay another top quarterback salary. If they lose Bridgewater, then the issue of an heir apparent for the legendary Brees will again need to be addressed. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty ImagesThe Saints aren't in a great salary cap spot, but we've certainly seen general manager Mickey Loomis pull off more with less. Other than Ingram, all of the team's top stars are still under contract. Decisions must be made on important role players like Tyeler Davison, Chris Banjo, Craig Robertson, and Josh LeRibeus though, and they must upgrade roster positions like tight end and others this offseason. The Saints will certainly bring in new talent, as all teams do, but they don't face the roster overhaul that we will see from others throughout the league. What New Orleans will do is fine-tune their team in a continued pursuit of a championship in 2019, as well as set themselves up to be a contender for the foreseeable future with a young and talented roster locked up for the longterm. Custom Atlanta Falcons Jerseys