Hakim agrees to one-year deal
 

Hakim agrees to one-year deal
Saints expecting to sign veteran receiver in coming few days
Sunday, June 19, 2005
By Mike Triplett
Staff writer
The Saints have verbally agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent receiver Az-Zahir Hakim and plan to finalize the deal Monday or Tuesday, according to General Manager Mickey Loomis and Hakim's agent, Bruce Tollner.

The amount of money was not disclosed. But on Friday, Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil indicated that the Saints offered Hakim a better deal than the Chiefs, who were offering close to the veteran minimum.

"It's a better opportunity," Tollner responded, when asked if Vermeil was accurate. "He had two good opportunities, and he felt like New Orleans was the best fit."

Hakim, 28, is expected to compete with second-year player Devery Henderson, among others, to be the Saints' third receiver. The Saints have been looking to add a veteran receiver for several weeks, having let Jerome Pathon go after last season.

Hakim had agreed to a contract with the Chiefs last week and even practiced with the team, but the deal fell through.

Hakim visited the Saints before going to Kansas City, and Tollner said Hakim "continued to evaluate his opportunities" last week.

Loomis said he assumed Hakim would sign with the Chiefs, but when the deal fell through, "he called us back and asked if we were still interested, and we said yes."

Loomis declined further comment on Hakim until the deal is completed. Hakim, who is at home in Southern California, was not available for comment.

Hakim, 5 feet 10, 189 pounds, has been mostly a No. 3 receiver in his seven years with the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions, averaging 40 catches, 550 yards and four touchdowns over the past six seasons.

He put up his best numbers in 1999 and 2000, stretching the field for the Rams' potent offense. He also has returned punts for most of his career.

The Lions made Hakim a starter after signing him as a free agent in 2002, but a dislocated hip limited him to 10 games that season. He started 12 games in 2003 and five last season, missing four games with back, hip and finger injuries.

Detroit released him after this year's draft, in which they selected receiver Mike Williams in the first round. Hakim was scheduled to make $2.5 million this year.

. . . . . . .


Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3381.


http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...4194284450.xml

RE: Hakim agrees to one-year deal
 

something's not right... Hakim didn't want a one year deal in KC... and now we are going to sign him for one year???

I think he wanted to be given a chance to start. In KC they would not hand him a starting job. In NO I think he will be given the number 3 job.

i dont like it... something just isnt right...

There's your answers.

It must only be about money bc I'm sure they told him he would start in KC as well bc they didn't want D. Hall in at WR that much. Actually, even though I think he will start at #3 for us, I would say the chances were better for him to start at KC.

I am glad we aren't giving him a multi-year contract; It'll be interesting to see what we are giving him. Doesn't seem like the $$ difference can be that great to jump ship on the KC deal.

Someone had brought this up on another thread...would like you guys' opinions. If we sign Hakim, doesn't that mean Beerman or T. Gardner could get cut? I like the idea of another veteran on the team, but not at the expense of Beerman. Gardner has potential to be a good #3 WR in a season or two. If one of these guys gets cut, I won't like the idea of the Hakim deal.

well as long as we didn't pay ridiculous i don't have a problem bringing in a vet. he gives us help if we loose someone. i hope we didnt pay him more then we could have signed pathon for. i would have preferred pathon in that case.

If someone is cut, I think it will be the Beerman. I heard JH talk several times last year about ML not picking his feet up and being brought down by arm tackle. I think the coaches want someone who can hit the hole on punts and not be brought down by the first contact evertime. I like ML, I just think if someone goes it will be him for that one reason.

i agree with jnorm, but i think devery might also have a chance of gettin da axe.

i don't think it will be the beerman and i could be very wrong but i don't think it will be the beerman. i don't think it will be devry. it could be the beerman only because hakim could take over there. i don't want him too the guy has the ability to drop the ball. i would just as soon let gardner go. he hasn't done much.

It was because of the extra 100K he received for coming to New Orleans nothing more.

Devery has definately let some people down. He really hasn't done much. I don't think the FO is ready to give up on him yet. He's young and fast and they will probably give him at least one more season after this one to step up. It would be terrible to see Beerman go to another team, then burn us on a KO or a Punt Return. I say give Beerman one more year to get back to his old self. I think he can this season. Between Beerman and Hakim, I take Beerman. Besides if they really want to, they can put Devery on Punt and Kick Returns if they are worried about what to do if Beerman gets hurt. I'm not saying Hakim isn't a decent pick-up, I'm just saying not at the expense of losing a guy like Lewis. Besides, Beerman is a pretty good WR when he is in there.

He hasn't signed yet... offered a contract thats it so far. I also hear its going to be a 2-3 year deal.

??? With the addition of Hakim & 4th rd wr it seems that we are overstocked at WR. My question is if Lyman is on IR for the season what are the chances of retaining Beerman & Gardner?

I see Lewis gone, he hasn't been able to compete at WR and aging. Henderson Gardner to say.

I wouldn't be upset if they cut Beerman. He is 34 or 35 isn't he?. And, it doesn't seem like he attacks punt or kick returns the way he did his first year. If the team doesn't make a hole, or clear the sideline, he is either falling down or scooting out of bounds. He just doesn't seem as dangerous any more, and it's not like he is a big target in the passing game. I really wouldn't miss him or Gardner. There's no way they cut Devery. If Sully is still here, Devery will still be here. They just need to get him on the jugs machine like they did Lewis after his first year to improve his hands.

Lyman is out and Henderson is already nursing a hamstring. Looking at the unoffical Depth chart they have Horn,Stallworth,Henderson,Gardner, and Lewis. They have Lewis, Stallworth and Stecker down as kick returners. Lewis is probably most expendable at the WR posistion but do you risk an injury to Stallworth returning punts? I'd scratch Henderson and add Hakim if the hamstring persists. I can't see anyone getting cut that has already been out in the field with this bunch. Unknown performance and injuries make it a tough call. I'd keep beerman becuse of experience alone. He has caught some big passes and made some key returns last year when we needed them. Although I wouldn't be sad if anyone got cut besides Horn. My prediction is Horn,Stallworth,Hakim,Gardner,Lewis. Probably have Poole as a backup and Rotate Henderson in when he gets past injury.

Lewis is 36-37... I think he is done. He really hasn't been the WR they have hoped he would develop into and taking up a roster spot just as a KR/PR when you have a WR who can do it as well... seems suspect to me.

The only one I see not making it is Lewis, Gardner seems suspect to so he'd better have a good camp or else he's gone.

We have 12 WR on the roster. It will be 13 when Hakim signs. Of those 6 are rookies or 1 year expeience. Henderson has 2 years and has yet to see the field. So far I hear it takes 3 to four years to develop in to a quality WR. So if this is supposed to be a make or break year do you put into the rookies hands or go with experience? I do not see them cutting Lewis. Even if all he does is return balls.

a PR/KR also has to be able to do other things to maintain a spot on the roster, he has been great but I see signs of him dropping off. Cutting him leaves a spot open for a WR to develop and also PR/KR.

You know, people didn't seem to mind when the Saints cut another old special teams ace two years ago either. His name was Fred McAfee. The team resigned him mid-year b/c special teams coverage units had gotten so bad. M. Lewis is the best return man on the team, and maybe the best (at least top 3) coverage guy the team has. I'll take him over Az "I Fumble More Than Sullivan Eats" Hakim anyday.

I think if someone gets cut, it will be Gardner. He is the only one bringing nothing to the table (unless he has a good training camp, which probably won't happen). Everyone else in some way brings a piece:
Horn and Stallworth-no need
Lewis-returns, leadership, work ethic
Poole-hands, aggressiveness, experience
Devery-speed, potential, contract
Gardner-7th round pick that can't catch the ball and isn't that great on special teams

Maybe I'm missing Gardner's upside. Pounce if I am.

I would think that Gardner would get the ax before Beerman because, he has had problems catching the football since he has been with the Saints.It is also not even close when you factor in special teams. Beerman is possibly the best return man in football.IMO

gardner goes im not gunna be sad

Lewis was ranked 5th last year in KR for the NFC and 11th for NFL. 4th in punt returns in NFL, 3rd in NFC. He may not take it to the house as much but our stating field posistion and yards he does gain are great. Check out the stats for yourself.

http://www.nfl.com/stats

Az Hakim signs with the Saints
 

Az Hakim signs with the Saints

Az-Zahir Hakim has finally found a place to call home (for the time being). After flipfloping on a decision to sign with the Chiefs, the veteran receiver has agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints. Hakim was a rising star with the St. Louis Cardinals before spending a few disappointing and injury riddled seasons with the Detroit Lions.

The specifics of the deal should become available later today, but one thing is for certain; it will only be a one year contract. Az Hakim must prove himself before a team will consider signing him to a longterm deal.

The New Orleans Saints may prove to be nothing more than a transitional team for Hakim. They already have a Pro Bowl veteran in Joe Horn as well as two speedy and talented youngsters in Donte Stallworth and Devery Henderson. They have been actively looking for a veteren wideout to play the slot position until one of those youngsters matures enough to play that role.


http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/a...eans200605.php

Actually, he's a very good ST'er. He's a gunner on Punt coverage and excels at it.

But I think its his last year in the league if he can't improve his WR skills.

Re: Az Hakim signs with the Saints
 

WTF?
He plays baseball?
:roll:

RE: Re: Az Hakim signs with the Saints
 

I would rathre have Beerman returning punts and kick offs than Hakim Beerman stays

RE: Re: Az Hakim signs with the Saints
 

he hasn't signed yet...

RE: Re: Az Hakim signs with the Saints
 

I can't wait to see the deal he signs, if he signs of course, because I read somewhere that the deal is for one year and only 50K more than in KC. Granted this is just a rumor, but if that is the case, I just don't understand the switch from KC. Fifty K is not that much difference. If the reason is playing time, I would think he has a tougher shot with the Saints than with KC bc they don't want dante hall playing much WR.

There has got to be a catch to all this. No pun intended of course, man that was bad.

Micheal Lewis is only 34 he isn't that old.

35 in november... in any case at that age... your speed drobs by the day!!!

My speed dropped by the day after I was 23. These guys who can keep going into their 30s at that level... damn.

We shouldn't overlook that, after Horn, Lewis may have the best hands of our WRs. If he weren't so short, he'd have been a baller.

Please tell me you didn't type that witha straight face...