METAIRIE, La. - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. "Listen, I get compensated very well. I dont take that for granted for one second," Brees said Monday, referring to the five-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2012. "But I play this game because I love this game, I love this locker room and I love the opportunity to win a championship. "If they want to come to me and extend me even further, thatd be great," Brees said. "Whatever helps this team win and puts the best team on the field." With Sean Payton returning from his bounty suspension, the Saints improved their regular-season record from 7-9 to 11-5, then won the franchises first road playoff game in six tries, beating the Eagles in Philadelphia in the wild card round before falling at top-seeded Seattle, 23-15 on Saturday. Brees eclipsed 5,000 yards passing for a third straight season to go with 39 touchdowns. Meanwhile, New Orleans defence went from worst in the league a year ago to fourth in total defence under first-year co-ordinator Rob Ryan. And that improvement came despite a rash of injuries. All in all, it looks as if the Saints arent far off from Super Bowl contention — if they can find the salary cap space to keep some top free agents such as tight end Jimmy Graham, who led New Orleans with 1,215 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns. Brees contract calls for him to have a base salary of $10.75 million next season, which along with his pro-rated $37 million signing bonus will put his 2014 salary cap figure above $18 million. Graham has said his preference would be to remain with Brees in New Orleans. The Saints can secure Graham for at least another year by placing the franchise tag on the four-year veteran, but players and teams generally prefer to avoid that route and seek long-term extensions instead. Other starters entering free agency include free safety Malcolm Jenkins, right tackle Zach Strief and centre Brian de la Puente. Strief, who has spent his entire eight-year career in New Orleans, said he wants to be back, but would clean his locker out entirely for the first time, knowing the Saints might not match other offers in what he views as his last, best chance to sign a new contract. "Obviously this organizations been a big part of my life and I feel like Ive been part of the success here and you dont want to leave that," Strief said. "The reality of the situation is I think theres going to be other possible outcomes, and theres other teams, possibly, and you prepare for that — not because its what you want but because its the reality." Jenkins, a five-year veteran, said he, too, wants to return, but understands "it doesnt always work out that way." Still, he emphasized he was proud to be part of a defence that made enormous progress this season. "Theres not a group of guys that Id rather play with," Jenkins said. "Weve come a long way, obviously night and day from last year." One problem for New Orleans is that its existing contracts would likely place the club more than $10 million above the 2014 salary cap, which has not yet been set, but is expected to be in the range of $125 million. One way teams seek salary cap relief is by renegotiating with, or releasing, veteran players with the largest base salaries. In New Orleans case, those players could include outside linebacker Will Smith, left guard Ben Grubbs, cornerback Jabari Greer, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, safety Roman Harper and receiver Lance Moore. Smith spent the season on injured reserve after tearing a knee ligament in the preseason. Greer had season-ending torn ligaments in his knee in November. Yet the injuries also provided opportunities for younger players, many of whom demonstrated significant growth and will remain under contracts less burdensome to the club. Those included rookie left tackle Terron Armstead, who took over as starter in Week 16, second-year defensive end Akiem Hicks, fourth-year outside linebacker Junior Galette, as well as rookie receiver Kenny Stills and rookie running back Khiry Robinson. Payton refused to address potential personnel moves, but confidently brushed aside questions about New Orleans impending salary cap constraints. "Were going to be in good shape," Payton said. "Obviously when theres change from season to season, theres attrition. Theres the younger players that are coming in and the players eventually that have been here that are no longer on the team. I think thats pretty normal, and well be ready for the challenge." Best Cheap Fake Shoes .m. on Friday. Granger was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last Thursday for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, but never played a minute for Philadelphia. The 76ers also received a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal. Cheap Shoes Outlet Stores .ca! There is plenty of blame to be shared as a result of the most recent NHL player (Pittsburghs Brooks Orpik) to be evacuated from the ice on a stretcher following an ugly incident Saturday night in Boston. http://www.cheapshoes.us.org/. He never mentioned anything about his hitting. The 33-year-old right-hander had success with both Sunday, pitching six solid innings and helping the offence-starved Mets with an RBI single as New York salvaged a doubleheader split with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wholesale Shoes China Free Shipping . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone. Authentic Shoes For Cheap . -- Creighton apparently has Villanovas number.(SportsNetwork.com) - Mark Buehrle tries to follow up a terrific season debut on Tuesday when the Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game set with the Houston Astros at Rogers Centre. Buehrle turned back the clock on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, as the 35-year- old left-hander scattered four hits and struck out 11 over 8 2/3 scoreless innings to get the win. Remarkably, it was only the second time in Buehrles 15-year career he had double-digit strikeouts. It was a sharp contrast to his first few starts from a year ago which saw him allow at least five runs in five of his first seven outings. "He was really good; he might have found the fountain of youth," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in a half-joking manner. "He said all spring training long that hes felt the best he has felt in a long, long time." Buehrles fast start could continue, as he was 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA in two starts against Houston last season. After taking two of three from the Rays to start the season, the Blue Jays dropped two of three to the New York Yankees and come into Tuesdays opener having lost three of their last four games. The offense has been the main culprit, as the team is hitting just .196 (9- for-46) with runners in scoring position through seven games. Still, Toronto has hit eight homers accounting for 12 of its 22 runs thus far. "Weve got a few guys in our lineup that are cold right now," said Gibbons. "Weve wwon a few games, gotten some pretty good pitching, so Im optimistic (wins will come) once they get going.ddddddddddddIt shouldnt be that far off. Too many of them have proven themselves in the past." That could be good news for 24-year-old lefty Brett Oberholtzer, who will be looking to bounce back from a loss to the Yankees his first time out. Oberholtzer gave up three runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings of that one. Houston has lost four of five since winning its first two games against the Yankees. On Monday the Astros were walloped by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 9-1, in the finale of a four-game set at Minute Maid Park. The Astros are also off to a slow start at the plate this year, hitting .191 as a team through seven games. Nearly a quarter of their hits (10-of-41) have been home runs and they have nearly as many extra-base hits (20) as they do singles (21). Mondays setback was also third time in the last four games that the team managed to push just one run across the plate. Toronto was 4-3 against the Astros last season. Astros line-up Robbie Grossman 7 Jose Altuve 4 Jesus Guzman 3 Jason Castro 2 Chris Carter DH L.J. Hoes 9 Matt Dominguez 5 Alex Presley 8 Jonathan Villar 6 Brett Oberholtzer 1 Blue Jays line-up Cabrera 7 Lind DH Bautista 9 Encarnacion 3 Navarro 2 Lawrie 5 Rasmus 8 Izturis 4 Diaz 6 Buehrle 1 ' ' '