John Clayton, ESPN Senior Writer 18y

Saints get help at linebacker, sign Polley, Foreman

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints reshuffled their linebacking corps Friday by signing veterans Tommy Polley and Jay Foreman.

Last month, the Saints lost linebacker James Allen for the season when he blew out a knee. They had worked a trade to acquire Miami Dolphins linebacker Eddie Moore, but sent Moore back to Miami when he failed a physical because of a bad knee.

Polley and Foreman were considered two of the best linebackers left on the market. A former No. 2 pick of the St. Louis Rams, Polley spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year contract. He is considered a linebacker with speed.

Polley, 28, has been a starter since his rookie season with the Rams in 2001 and played four seasons in St. Louis.

Foreman, 30, has the flexibility to play middle or outside linebacker. He was a fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1999 and played for the Houston Texans.

The addition of the two linebackers could jeopardize the future of Saints linebacker Courtney Watson, the Saints' second-round pick in 2004. Watson was included in the one-for-one trade with the Dolphins for Moore and could be released soon.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

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