New Orleans
Saints

News: In 16 games, Collins gained a mere four yards on four carries. As a receiver, he had a bit more success, recording eleven catches for 50 yards. Most importantly (or frustratingly depending on how many Saints players you owned), Collins scored four total touchdowns, all from short range.
Impact: Collins was the definition of a touchdown vulture, rarely contributing as anything but a blocker in the offense, but managing to poach four scores in short-yardage situations. Heath Evans reprised a similar role in previous years for the Saints. Collins will likely return as the starting fullback next year, and while he is certainly not worth owning in nearly every format, he will likely be a pain in the side to owners of Saints' offensive players.

News: Kasay finished the year 28-of-34 on field goal attempts and a perfect 63-of-63 on extra points.
Impact: Signed just before the start of the regular season after Garrett Harley was declared out for the year with an injury, Kasay was a fantasy force, finishing second in scoring behind only David Akers at his position. If Kasay decides to give it a go for another season, he will have to battle Garrett Hartley for the kicking duties in training camp.

News: Rogers, who in 2008 managed 76 tackles, continued his decline with the Saints, recording on 22 stops and no sacks in 16 games.
Impact: Like Aubrayo Franklin, another big offseason signing for the Saints, Rogers was a bust in 2011. He is a free agent this offseason and it would be a surprise if he were to return to the Saints. 2012 will mark his 12th year in the league, so there is a good chance his best days are behind him.

News: Coming over from San Francisco this offseason, Franklin was a huge disappointment for the Saints, contributing a mere 17 tackles and no sacks in 16 games.
Impact: Franklin is a free agent and it would be a shock if he were to return to the Saints. Even with the 49ers, however, Franklin was nothing more than a marginal player for fantasy purposes, topping 40 tackles only once in his career and contributing only four career sacks.

News: In 16 games, Shanle recorded 69 tackles, one sack and one interception in 2011.
Impact: The nine-year veteran Shanle continues to be uber-consistent for the Saints. However, his numbers do little to impress fantasy owners. This year Shanle saw his hold on a starting spot slip a little bit with Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Jonathan Casillas and Martez Wilson all impressing at points throughout the year. With a new defensive coordinator incoming, Shanle's time as a starter could be coming to an end, all but ending his fantasy relevance.

News: Dunbar was a pleasant surprise for the Saints in 2011, recording 79 tackles and one sack in 16 games.
Impact: Dunbar started a number of games at middle linebacker as Jonathan Vilma was hobbled by frequent injuries. In those games, Dunbar showed that he is capable of handling the position. Unfortunately for Dunbar's IDP prospects, Vilma is not going anywhere, despite his checkered injury history. Still Dunbar could compete for a starting spot at outside linebacker in 2012 and will have to impress new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in training camp this offseason.

News: After missing all of 2010 with a foot injury, Casillas recorded 43 tackles and three sacks in 13 games in 2011.
Impact: Touted as an IDP sleeper entering the year, Casillas spent the year in a timeshare at the linebacker position. As a result, his numbers were slightly disappointing. Still, Casillas flashed his speed and potential as he recorded three sacks and was sighted by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as the team's best blitzer. With Steve Spagnuolo on board as the Saints' new DC, Casillas will have a clean slate to show that he should be inserted as a starter starting in 2012.

News: Ellis finished 2011 with 29 tackles and only half a sack in 15 games.
Impact: After posting solid numbers in 2010, especially for a defensive tackle (44 tackles, six sacks), Ellis regressed significantly this year. Much of the statistical decline can be attributed to the offseason additions of Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers, both of whom cut into Ellis' playing time. With both Franklin and Rogers set to become free agents after disappointing in 2011, Ellis could return to his 2010 form by simply being on the field for more snaps.

News: Brees' record-setting season has earned the New Orleans quarterback the 2011 Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Impact: Brees shattered Dan Marino's 27-year-old mark by passing for 5,476 yards, and his 468 completions broke Peyton Manning's 2010 record of 450. Brees finished the season completing 71.6 percent of his passes, breaking his own 2009 NFL record (70.6). He also surpassed 300 yards passing for seven straight games and 13 times during the season, both beating league marks he already held.

News: Ingram (turf toe surgery) said on his personal Twitter account that he is no longer using crutches after having surgery in early January.
Impact: Ingram is expected to be ready for the Saints' offseason program, which will give him plenty of time to get fully healthy for the 2012 season. He will be looking to make a bigger impact after an injury-riddled rookie campaign.