Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Erik Lorig (41) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The New Orleans Saints have announced the signing of fullback Erik Lorig to a four-year deal, and he will stay in the NFC South after spending the first four years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He should be locked in as the Saints lead-blocker for the next four seasons, and he will replace Jed Collins, who was not tendered in restricted free agency.
It will be interesting how well Lorig does blocking for Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson next season, as both players are set to take on bigger roles in the running game after pretty promising 2013 campaigns. The Buccaneers showed significant interest in retaining Lorig, but they lost him to the Saints in the end.
Last season, the 27-year-old Stanford product caught 11 passes for 47 yards, so he’s yet another option for Drew Brees to throw it at out of the backfield. He obviously won’t receive many targets, but he has nice hands for a fullback and caught 12 passes in 2012. The Saints worked him out two days ago, and it seems like they are high on him. He’s a fairly average back overall, but he’s more well-rounded than most FBs. His contract should be dirt cheap, and it would likely be easy to cut him after the first season or two.