hagan714

Saints tender offers to Hilton, Holland

By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Mar 4, 2006

The New Orleans Saints prepared for the start of free agency on Sunday night by giving one-year tender offers to guard Montrae Holland and tight end Zach Hilton, General Manager Mickey Loomis said Friday.

Hilton and Holland, who are going into their fourth seasons, were the team’s only restricted free agents. They received tenders at the lowest qualifying level, which guarantees each a salary of $712,000 for the 2006 season.

Both players, however, are still eligible to sign offer sheets with any other team through April 21.

If they receive an offer, the Saints would have seven days to match the contract and retain the player. If they decline, the player then would go to the signing team and the Saints would be compensated with a draft choice equal to the round in which the player was originally chosen in.

Holland was a fourth-round draft pick in 2003. Hilton made the roster that same year as an undrafted free agent, which means the Saints would not receive compensation if they declined to match an offer to him.

Holland, a 6-foot-2, 322-pounder, has started 30 games in three seasons with the Saints. He has played both left and right guard, starting seven games as a rookie when Saints running back Deuce McAllister rushed for 1,641 yards and ranked fourth in the NFL.

A rugged run blocker, Holland started 13 games at right guard in 2004 and had 10 more starts in 2005. He took over at right guard seven games into the season when Jermane Mayberry, one of the team’s top free-agent acquisitions last spring, struggled.

Hilton, a 6-8, 268-pounder, was a pleasant surprise in 2005 after not catching a pass in his first two seasons with the Saints. He had 35 receptions for 396 yards, with most of that coming after starter Ernie Conwell sustained a knee injury and missed the final eight games.

Hilton, who started six of the 15 games he played in, tied for fourth on the team in receptions and averaged 11.3 yards a catch with one touchdown. He established career-highs with seven catches for 83 yards against Detroit and also had six receptions for 72 yards at New England.

The Saints also tendered linebacker Terrence Melton, the team’s only exclusive rights free agent. He received a $460,000 offer as a three-year veteran and can only sign with the Saints unless they rescind the offer.

Good boys at least they are using there heads this time

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

wheelman

I like Holland, but he seems to get hurt as often as Darren Howard. Or am I thinking of Jacox?

zachsaints52

Hollan was a guy many people thught was a sure first rounder, but an injury kept him outta it (I dont remember the injury.) Injuries does alot to him though. We shold definatley keep him though.