New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - -- Saints Ready to Reward Deuce --

-- Saints Ready to Reward Deuce --
Sun Mar 14, 2004 --from FFMastermind.com

The Times-Picayune reports the Saints with $11 million in room under the $80.6 million salary cap. About $3 million of that surplus will be used to sign rookies, and another million or two will be targeted for another veteran free agent or two. Depending on who signs, that should leave $4 million to $7 million. And that doesn't include the savings that the club stands to gain from cutting Dale Carter after June 1. That's where RB Deuce McAllister comes in. McAllister's future contract is the $50 million gorilla in the free agent corner. Like an upcoming college tuition or a new wing on the house, the expense looms in the back of Loomis' mind with every decision. "At some point, we're going to have to sit down with Deuce and his agent and discuss it," Loomis said last week. "Deuce has done everything we've asked of him since he's been here. He earned the right to a new deal. And it's the right thing to do." Only Loomis knows if the Saints will re-do McAllister's deal this summer, or wait until next year. But it certainly will get done at one of those two times. The Saints aren't required to do anything. McAllister has two years remaining on the six-year contract (the 2006 season is voided) he signed in 2001. The expensive escalator on his base salary doesn't kick in until 2005. So right now McAllister's $1.5 million cap figure is one of the best bargains in the NFL. Still, it's in the Saints' best interest to get a deal done early.
-- Saints Free Agency Update --
Sun Mar 14, 2004 --from FFMastermind.com

The Times-Picayune reports free-agent FB Sam Gash will visit the Saints today, and OG David Loverne, an unrestricted free-agent guard from St. Louis, will visit Monday. Contrary to reports, the Saints are not interested in LB Ian Gold. The club did some preliminary work on Gold before the start of free agency in case LB Derrick Rodgers signed elsewhere. With Rodgers on board and LB Cie Grant and LB James Allen returning, the club isn't in the market for a weakside linebacker.
-- Saints Rehab Update --
Sun Mar 14, 2004 --from FFMastermind.com

The Times-Picayune reports Saints WR Joe Horn underwent surgery this week to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. The procedure was considered routine. Horn is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.