Brian

de la Puente

The smallish but technical De La Puente replaced free agent bust Olin Kreutz early last season, and New Orleans’ running game took off after a slow start. De La Puente is hardly a dominant center or long-term solution, but Saints beat writer Larry Holder expects the 27-year-old to retain his starting job for 2012.

Kreutz has been sidelined since injuring his left knee in Week 3. His status for Week 6 is up in the air, though the Saints are probably better off going with backup Brian de la Puente again. Well under 300 pounds, Kreutz got pushed around the first couple of games.

It’s just as well for the Saints. The 34-year-old appears to be 275 pounds soaking wet this season, and he’s been pushed around in the running game. Coach Sean Payton has shown little confidence in the interior O-line in key situations, and Kreutz has been a primary culprit. Turning to Brian De La Puente should help the ground attack going forward. A six-time Pro Bowler, Kreutz’s 14-year NFL career is likely over.

Other teams can make offers on either player, but the Saints would have the right of first refusal and would receive a second-round pick if either player were to leave. De La Puente graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 center last season, and Galette figures to be an edge rusher in the Saints’ new 3-4 scheme. The tenders leave the Saints about $6 million over the cap. That means more moves have to come before Tuesday and veterans Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma and Roman Harper are candidates for restructure or release.

A former journeyman undrafted free agent, De La Puente has started the Saints’ past 28 games at center. Going on 28, De La Puente graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 center last season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Triplett only sees De La Puente returning “at a very affordable rate.” The Saints have nearly $14 million committed to guards Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs for 2014, and De La Puente could potentially be replaced in-house by 2013 UDFA Tom Lelito. Lelito flashed some promise in two rookie-year starts at guard.

De La Puente’s market has been ice cold to this point. He should be relatively cheap to retain. He’s started the past 32 games for the Saints and remains easily the top free-agent center on the market not named Alex Mack. Tim Lelito is currently penciled in as the Saints’ starting center.

The deal contains $165,000 guaranteed. It’ll be a seamless transition for De La Puente, whose old position coach in New Orleans -- Aaron Kromer -- is now the offensive coordinator in Chicago. De La Puente, 29 in May, was Drew Brees’ starting center the past three seasons, and graded out 12th, second, and 16th in Pro Football Focus’ center ratings in each of those years. Incumbent C Roberto Garza, 35, is expected to keep his job, but could be on an increasingly short leash. So late in free agency, this was an excellent value add by GM Phil Emery.

The Bears are lucky De La Puente’s MRI showed no damage to his ACL after he went down in a heap during the team’s preseason opener. Formerly of the Saints, De La Puente is the primary backup to 35-year-old Roberto Garza.

The cap-strapped Saints have not made an effort to get their starting center from the last three seasons re-signed. The Giants’ interest suggests that David Baas may not be willing to take a pay cut.