RE: Howard and Bentley
 

Let Howard go and we get another couple million over the in cap space. I don't think we can franchise him anyway. Haven't we franchised him the last two seasons?

I agree with everyone that we need to keep Bentley, but I would also say that we don't need to keep him for 6 million a year. We can pick up a good FA center for about half that.

Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

Howard isn't a part of the discussion anymore. The Saints should have gotten anything they could from Dallas last summer for him. He will be cut.

Then work out that long term deal that equitable for everyone. Make Bentley the highest paid interior lineman in the game. Commit to everything he has contributed to this team. Most of the ProBowl FA we have let go in the past have gone on to continue with outstanding careers (Joe Johnson as a notable exception).

Bentley has proved his worth. It's time to pay him.

So smart money says franchise him and do your best to make the deal.


SFIAH

RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

All I'm saying is that I don't think paying Bentley 6 to 7 million is smart money. I don't think he is the best center in the NFL.

IMHO, I don't see Bentley back in New Orleans. It's rumored that Jacksonville is really looking hard at him. If we can slap a franchise tag on him and trade him for Jacksonville's 1st rounder, then I'd be for that. I just have a feeling we're going to lose him with nothing in return. Howard is as good as done after being benched at the end of last season. He will be a FREE AGENT, so there will be no trading him for draft picks. A lot of people need to realize that.

Franchising Bentley is the only way to ensure that we get something for him. If he stays we get his services for year and buy another year to try to negotiate a long term deal. If he leaves we get compensation. Letting him go for nothing is tthe stupid move. It's a no brainer to franchise him, even if we have to pay tackle money to do so.

SFIAH

Re: RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

His starting center position in the Pro Bowl last week stands in opposition to that assessment.

He's been both a PB guard and center in this league. Even if the Saints don't keep him, he has value in this league and the Saints needs to recoup some of that value if he leaves.

That means you franchise him. I know that by definition that opens up the possibility of overpaying him (see Howard in 2004 and 2005 as an example). But that's the price of not working out a long term deal when you had the guy under contract.

SFIAH

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

I agree we should resign him but at what price we differ on. Just because he was starting center for the NFC in the Pro Bowl doesn't mean he's the best in football.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

Olin Kreutz of the Bears is the best center in football. If he wants top center money, offer him something close to the money Olin is making. If he wants top guard money, give him Hutchinson type money. As far as franchising the guy, that would be silly. No need to pay top 5 OL money to a ProBowl center or guard. You franchise tackles... not centers and guards who can easily be replaced.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

i think you franchise a center when he is the best player on your team. the only exception to that would be a kicker or a punter, but they aren't even football players. =)

if we don't franchise him or sign him, he just walks away and we won't get any compensation.

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Howard and Bentley
 

We have no hope of resigning him without franchising him.

As for best, the PB berth means that he sure must be close.

SFIAH