JOESAM2002

Henderson negotiations still stalled
Former LSU receiver only holdout from 2004 draft
Monday, August 02, 2004
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer
Wide receiver Devery Henderson's holdout stretched into a fourth day Sunday.

The former LSU speedster, the No. 50 overall selection, is one of 13 second-round draft picks who remained unsigned through the weekend.


The negotiations have stalled because the contracts for the players in the two draft slots immediately in front of Henderson -- Dontarrious Thomas at No. 48 and Keiwan Ratliff at No. 49 -- have not been completed.

Directly behind Henderson's slot, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Dwan Edwards, at No. 51, signed a five-year, $3.545 million contract that included $1.530 million in bonuses.

The Saints' other five draft choices are signed and in camp.

"It's a shame because the longer he goes (away from camp), the harder it gets," Saints coach Jim Haslett said.


EXPENSIVE TASTE: Boo Williams' platinum-and-diamond bridge for his lower teeth was the talk of the locker room Sunday afternoon.

Williams paid $1,800 for the bridge at a New Orleans East jeweler. He wears the accessory in practice and plans to wear it in games.

"It's a Southern thing; it's something for show," Williams said. "Now when I talk trash, it's not cheap talk."


MONEY TALK: The contract numbers for the Saints' first four rookie signings have been reported to the NFL Players Association.

Linebacker Courtney Watson's five-year, $2.977 million deal can void to a four-year deal if he plays 50 percent of the plays this season or 30 percent of the plays in any of the following three seasons. The second-round pick from Notre Dame received a $1.052 million signing bonus.

Defensive tackle Rodney Leisle received a $125,999 signing bonus with his three-year, $1.046 million deal.

Fullback Mike Karney earned a $114,000 signing bonus with his three-year, $1.034 million deal.

Linebacker Colby Bockwoldt received a $25,850 signing bonus with his three-year, $948,850 contract.

All the deals include base salaries of $230,000, $305,000 and $385,000 in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons.


RICKY REACTIONS: Ricky Williams' sudden retirement last week drew mixed reactions from the few who knew him in the Saints organization.

"Honestly, it didn't surprise me too much," center Jerry Fontenot said. "Ricky is a little eccentric. I don't think he ever really liked the limelight. I think at some point, he was going to get done with what he wanted to get done in terms of monetary gains."

Added running backs coach Dave Atkins: "The thing with Ricky was you never knew what to expect the next day. I was surprised he retired. For him to end his career was really shocking to me because I thought he was one of the best running backs in the NFL."

Despite Williams' eccentricities, Fontenot said, he was a good teammate.

"He played hard," Fontenot said. "I have no complaints when he was on the football field. He devoted himself to football when he was on the football field. Now I think he's just ready to move on to something else, football not being part of it."


EYE OPENER: Reserve cornerback Monty Montgomery had the hit of training camp so far when he leveled running back Ronney Jenkins in the right flat with a blow that drew a chorus of "oohs" from the crowd.

Montgomery, an All-Arena League selection for the VooDoo this past season, is working strictly at cornerback even though he spent time at free safety in stops with the 49ers, Colts and Eagles.

"I'm just trying to do my job," Montgomery said. "Whatever I can do to help the team."

Because Montgomery has NFL experience, he was not subject to the Arena League waiver rules that applied to VooDoo teammate Dan Curran before signing with the Saints.

"This was my first choice," Montgomery said. "They gave me a chance in the Arena League. I felt loyal to this place."