Saints sign Matt Lehr G/C (merged)

papz · 03-19-2008, 10:44 AM

Matt Lehr-G- Buccaneers Mar. 19 - 10:19 am et

The Saints have offered a contract to unrestricted free agent G/C Matt Lehr.

The Browns and Broncos have also been interested in Lehr because of his ability to play two different offensive line positions. Lehr didn't start last season for the Bucs, but he did appear in every game.

Source: Tampa Tribune

hagan714 · 03-19-2008, 10:48 AM

He is needed as a backup.

Euphoria · 03-19-2008, 01:10 PM

agree... this will be good.

LordOfEntropy · 03-19-2008, 02:44 PM

Sign him.

thesaintsfan · 03-19-2008, 04:43 PM

Wise man once say, you can never have too many o-lineman.

biloxi-indian · 03-19-2008, 05:59 PM

Saints sign Lehr to one-year deal - New Orleans Saints Beat - Times-Picayune NFL - NOLA.com

Saints sign Lehr to one-year deal
Posted by Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune. March 19, 2008 4:19PM

The Saints signed unrestricted free-agent center/guard Matt Lehr to a one-year contract on Wednesday, his agent said.

Lehr, entering his eighth NFL season, also considered an offer from the Denver Broncos before deciding to come to New Orleans, where he'll compete for a starting spot with center Jonathan Goodwin to replace the departed Jeff Faine.

Faine signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team for which Lehr played last season.

"The opportunity to basically be with a team on the rise was important," Lehr said Wednesday. "And everybody knows the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks (Drew Brees) in the game. It's an explosive offense.

"I've had the opportunity to work with a couple of the coaches there from former teams I played with."

Lehr, a fifth-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 2001, stayed with the Cowboys through the 2003 season, the first that Saints Coach Sean Payton spent in Dallas. Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs was also a member of that Dallas staff.

Lehr fills a need for veteran depth on the offensive line for the Saints, who lost starting Faine. Goodwin, also a player who can fill two positions on the offensive line, will likely compete with Lehr for the starting center's job.

Lehr's agent, St. Louis-based Bob Lattinville said Wednesday Lehr signed a one-year deal. Lehr had joined the Bucs last year during free agency after a stint with the Atlanta Falcons.

"We've had a good conversation with Mickey (Loomis, Saints general manger) and (offensive line coach) Doug Marrone," Lattinville said.

The Broncos had expressed interest in Lehr before the recent firing of general manager Ted Sundquist and Lattinville waited to see if the Broncos still had the same curiosity.

Lehr served a four-game suspension in 2006 when he was with the Falcons for violation of the NFL's steroid policy.

Lehr said the Saints told him he's be given an opportunity to compete for the starting job.

"They said straight up the best five were going to start," Lehr said. "I'll get a chance to compete for a starting position. In order to stay in this league you have to be able to do more than one thing, especially if you want to stay in this league longevity-wise.

"I've heard a lot about the O-line coach there. I just want a chance to become a better football player and help out the team as much as possible."

Lehr, 6 foot 2, 304 pounds, did not make any starts for the Bucs last season, but did play in every game.

He said the Saints were a nicer fit than the Broncos.

"New Orleans was a much better situation for me," said Lehr, who'll arrive in town this weekend and begin working in the team's off-season conditioning program on Monday.

LordOfEntropy · 03-19-2008, 06:19 PM

Good signing. I'm starting to be impressed with this offseason. We're really gonna have some flexibility come draft time.

Euphoria · 03-19-2008, 06:33 PM

Agree... good signing. Adding some depth and competition on the line.

foreverfan · 03-19-2008, 06:35 PM

Smart signing. Worried that he wasn't to pumped up by steriods in 2006.

B_Dub_Saint · 03-19-2008, 06:36 PM

We are doing some great things this offseason!!!

03-19-2008, 10:44 AM	#1
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Saints sign Matt Lehr G/C (merged) Matt Lehr-G- Buccaneers Mar. 19 - 10:19 am et The Saints have offered a contract to unrestricted free agent G/C Matt Lehr. The Browns and Broncos have also been interested in Lehr because of his ability to play two different offensive line positions. Lehr didn't start last season for the Bucs, but he did appear in every game. Source: Tampa Tribune

03-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#2
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Saints offer Matt Lehr G/C He is needed as a backup.

03-19-2008, 01:10 PM	#3
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints offer Matt Lehr G/C agree... this will be good.

03-19-2008, 02:44 PM	#4
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	Re: Saints offer Matt Lehr G/C Sign him.

03-19-2008, 04:43 PM	#5
thesaintsfan The Real Deal Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 174	Re: Saints offer Matt Lehr G/C Wise man once say, you can never have too many o-lineman.

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03-19-2008, 05:59 PM	#6
biloxi-indian Site Donor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 1,706	Saints sign Lehr...... Saints sign Lehr to one-year deal - New Orleans Saints Beat - Times-Picayune NFL - NOLA.com Saints sign Lehr to one-year deal Posted by Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune. March 19, 2008 4:19PM The Saints signed unrestricted free-agent center/guard Matt Lehr to a one-year contract on Wednesday, his agent said. Lehr, entering his eighth NFL season, also considered an offer from the Denver Broncos before deciding to come to New Orleans, where he'll compete for a starting spot with center Jonathan Goodwin to replace the departed Jeff Faine. Faine signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team for which Lehr played last season. "The opportunity to basically be with a team on the rise was important," Lehr said Wednesday. "And everybody knows the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks (Drew Brees) in the game. It's an explosive offense. "I've had the opportunity to work with a couple of the coaches there from former teams I played with." Lehr, a fifth-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 2001, stayed with the Cowboys through the 2003 season, the first that Saints Coach Sean Payton spent in Dallas. Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs was also a member of that Dallas staff. Lehr fills a need for veteran depth on the offensive line for the Saints, who lost starting Faine. Goodwin, also a player who can fill two positions on the offensive line, will likely compete with Lehr for the starting center's job. Lehr's agent, St. Louis-based Bob Lattinville said Wednesday Lehr signed a one-year deal. Lehr had joined the Bucs last year during free agency after a stint with the Atlanta Falcons. "We've had a good conversation with Mickey (Loomis, Saints general manger) and (offensive line coach) Doug Marrone," Lattinville said. The Broncos had expressed interest in Lehr before the recent firing of general manager Ted Sundquist and Lattinville waited to see if the Broncos still had the same curiosity. Lehr served a four-game suspension in 2006 when he was with the Falcons for violation of the NFL's steroid policy. Lehr said the Saints told him he's be given an opportunity to compete for the starting job. "They said straight up the best five were going to start," Lehr said. "I'll get a chance to compete for a starting position. In order to stay in this league you have to be able to do more than one thing, especially if you want to stay in this league longevity-wise. "I've heard a lot about the O-line coach there. I just want a chance to become a better football player and help out the team as much as possible." Lehr, 6 foot 2, 304 pounds, did not make any starts for the Bucs last season, but did play in every game. He said the Saints were a nicer fit than the Broncos. "New Orleans was a much better situation for me," said Lehr, who'll arrive in town this weekend and begin working in the team's off-season conditioning program on Monday.
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03-19-2008, 06:19 PM	#7
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	Re: Saints sign Lehr...... Good signing. I'm starting to be impressed with this offseason. We're really gonna have some flexibility come draft time.

03-19-2008, 06:33 PM	#8
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints sign Lehr...... Agree... good signing. Adding some depth and competition on the line.

03-19-2008, 06:35 PM	#9
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints sign Lehr...... Smart signing. Worried that he wasn't to pumped up by steriods in 2006.

03-19-2008, 06:36 PM	#10
B_Dub_Saint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 2,345 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Saints sign Lehr...... We are doing some great things this offseason!!!