I don't remember anyone poo-pooing the idea. Who in the world would poo-poo that idea? Not challenging you at all, I'm asking because I just don't remember.

I originally floated that idea and I remember some posters say we'd never do it because it made too much sense and our front office is too stupid to do anything that makes sense. Oh, and the typical salary cap implications emerged also.
I though, and still do, that its an absolute perfect trade.

Howard is probably a bit more valuable, but not enough to kill the deal in my book.

Pretty sure it was mostly our ol' pal Gumbo who did the devil's advocating. Here's a link to the previous discussion, from April 25.

http://www.blackandgold.net/site/ind...ewtopic&t=9370

I'm still all for the Simon / Howard trade idea, especially if we could get Simon a little cheaper...

Wow, I can't believe there was even one person opposed to the swap. Seems like there were 2 or 3. But at least the vast majority think its a good move.

It looks like a trade that would help both teams tremendously.

I wonder if there's still some doubt as to whether Will Smith is ready to take over full time. There may be some doubt as to depth. If we trade Howard and Smith gets hurt, then what? A major Uh-oh!

Bryant? Whitehead? The rookie tweener who's name escapes me?

It may be that if we had a decent 4th DE in case Will Smith got hurt we'd have already pulled the trigger. Thats the only thing I can kinda justify, but even thats a stretch.

I think there was some confusion as to opposing a Howard trade based on the singular premise that the Saints absolutely had to do so or else they would find themselves in salary cap hell, and opposing a Howard trade all together.

I think this would be a good move, even though I still have some concerns as to depth at DE if Howard is traded. I don't think that's enough to stop this trade, which would immediately upgrade the entire d-line. It might affect the rotation scheme that Pease is famous for though. That said, yes Danno, I think absent Howard, Whitehead would see a lot more time at DE, as well as Bryant, to a lesser extent.

So cap-wise could this work? What kind of numbers would he demand if so? I would love the trade if they threw in a 2nd or 3rd from next year....

I don't think this trade could happen before... when is it? June 15? Otherwise, the Saints would lose their franchise tag for the length of any contract that Howard signed. That may be one hold up. Also, both teams are worried about signing rookies and extending players' contracts right now. This may not be high on the priority list. It may move up closer to July or August. Who knows?

July 15th is the actual date, unless both teams agreed not to do new deals until after than, but that would be silly when they could just wait, if that is the plan. But correct, if Howard is traded before July 15 it is fine, but if he signs a new deal with his new team before that date, we lose our franchise tag for those years. Not the same with Simon cause he has not signed the tender for the franchise tag, thus if he is traded, he could sign a new deal right away and the Eagles would not lose their tag.