Fox team report 2/13
 

The Saints are leaning toward using the franchise tag on defensive end Darren Howard for the second consecutive season. The designation would force the Saints to pay Howard an $7.8 million salary, a steep price considering the club also has two other talented, well-paid ends in Charles Grant and Will Smith. But the Saints simply can't afford to lose a player as talented and valuable as Howard without compensation.

If the Saints use the transition tag they run the risk of losing him to another team that makes a creative contract offer that Saints can't match.


If franchised, Howard also could be traded. Howard would be an attractive commodity, considering the lack of talented pass rushers on the market. He's in his prime and coming off an excellent season. That's an option worth exploring because of the development of Grant and Smith and the preponderance of needs on defense.


Negotiations on a contract extension for Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn could be difficult. Horn is coming off a breakout season and has proven himself to be a gamer on Sundays. As one of just five receivers to earn four Pro Bowl invitations the past five seasons, Horn wants and deserves a healthy raise. At the same time, the club has major deals to complete with Howard and Deuce McAllister and might not want to commit major bucks to Horn at age 33.


The Saints enjoyed success with a direct snap play to running back Deuce McAllister in 2003 but had to ditch the play last season because first-year center LeCharles Bentley struggled to execute the snap. Coaches have asked him to work on his shotgun snaps this offseason.


Hard truth:: The Saints plan to give defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan one more chance this season, but the truth of the matter is he's a bust. Team officials often compare Sullivan to wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, who matured and blossomed last season after a pair of disappointing seasons. But Sullivan lacks Stallworth's drive and heart. The Saints have done a good job of weeding out malcontents and immature players in recent years. They'd be best served to bite the salary cap hit and cut ties with the troublesome Sullivan.

Fox team report 2/13
 

Hey, they said Stallworth had DRIVE AND HEART. I love it. Cut Sullivan he is a bust, I love that too. Horn is too old for a big contract, sad but true. Trade him to get Mike Williams in the draft. Franchise and trade Howard, gotta love that. We can turn Howard into a pick for a young LB or S. Nice job foxsports.

Fox team report 2/13
 

You mean they weren\'t all \"cancers\" afterall? :o

Fox team report 2/13
 

heyah, i had been pondering williams to replace horn myself. not a popular move around here probably but it could make sense if horn gets cops an attitude to thinking he\'s in marvin harrison\'s class. williams would be a perfect compliment to stallworth\'s size and speed. he is a giant target, runs incredible routes, great hands, good across the middle, not the fastest wideout ever. he\'s rested up for a yr and should be ready to play. i\'m betting he is gonna be all toned up and woo\'em at the combine.

i like the phrase \"preponderance of needs on defense\". i\'d say 2 linebackers, at least one db, and a run stopping dt is preponderance enough.

Fox team report 2/13
 

If Horn had to leave, I would love Williams as a replacement. Definitely a possession receiver, which is exactly what we would need if Joe wasn\'t here. Maybe Shepperd would run some deep plays for Stall and Henderson, and Williams could control the underneath. If not him, Braylon Edwards. Receivers are coming in better and better out of the draft.

Fox team report 2/13
 

rod gardner wr washington for a 3rd or 4th round pick might even be better. same mold, proven commodity if can be signed for a reasonable amount.

Fox team report 2/13
 

No, just that they aren\'t finished yet and have more to go. ;)

Fox team report 2/13
 

Actually I\'m glad Joe had a monster season. It\'ll make it easier to get some value for him in a trade.
I like Mark Clayton and Braylon Edwards as much as Williams.
But if we don\'t address defense in free agency I wouldn\'t touch a WR until round 3.
Anyone subscribe to the \"Ewing Theory\"?

Fox team report 2/13
 

i posted this in the free agent rumblings but thought it was significant and applicable here if ya missed it-

One NFL general manager feels the Saints will deal Howard to try and acquire a proven wide receiver or a starter on the defensive side of the ball.

\"I really believe the Saints will franchise Darren Howard and then deal him off,\" the AFC general manager said. \"Darren’s a real good player. Now he does have a series of injuries that would have me questioning his health, but when at full strength, he’s a real good NFL starter. Charles Grant has the makings of a Pro-Bowl performer and Will Smith is a real talent also. So it would be hard to justify $7.8 million for him unless you move him inside and I don’t believe he is built to play that spot. He’s an end and while he can give you some quality time inside, that’s not his best position and I doubt he could hold up to the every-game grind at tackle. I know they have Joe Horn and he’s a real good wide receiver, but to be honest Donté Stallworth looks like a tease player and this team needs a big, sturdy receiver that can work the inside routes. If they can’t get an end like that for Howard, then get a quality starter at outside linebacker or at free safety and maybe a draft choice.\"

----oh, and denver is officially peddling trevor pryce so a similar mkt value will be established. or maybe vice versa if the front office would surprise us.

[Edited on 14/2/2005 by LKelley67]

Fox team report 2/13
 

I think Mark Clayton will be a BUST. As much as I get to see OU since they are in the Big 12, he has done some nice things but never been overly impressive or dominating. Edwards I definitely like and would love if we could get him. Same with Williams. He is just a beast. IF we got Clayton in the 3rd, which won\'t happen, that still won\'t be enough to satisfy replacing Joe. If we have to replace Joe, we have to do it with a stud early, or we can be pretty sure we won\'t get the same value. If we do trade Joe, you can be sure WR will be addresses early on, no matter what we do or don\'t address in free agency.

Fox team report 2/13
 

I read that Kelley and it\'s applicable. Maybe we can trade him to AZ for Boldin or something like that. I\'d even take Chambers from Miami for him.

Fox team report 2/13
 

Like a Portis/Bailey swap.

I know the Ravens are switching to the 4-3 next year. Hmmmm.
Fortunately there are many teams that would love to have Howard on their team. I imagine we\'ll be inundated with all kinds of offers. Most will be crap but you never know when someone may want to part with a stud DT/CB/MLB/OLB/SS/FS.
We are in the unfortunate position of being able to trade Howard for a comparable player at 6 different defensive positions and 6 or 7 offensive positions and/or draft picks.

Fox team report 2/13
 

Was it Mike Williams that scouts worried would get too big too fast, lose some speed and eventually have to switch to TE? It may have been Reggie Williams they said that about but I thought it was Mike.
How fast did Mike time last year?

Fox team report 2/13
 

It may have been Mike, he is a big dude. Mike was timed in the 4.5, 4.6 range, but so was Jerry Rice. He was never known to have a weight problem at USC, he is just big. I mean 6\'5\" 230-235, is not your typical WR. But from watching him at USC, he was hard as hell to tackle and made more plays breaking tackles than probably any receiver in college football. Plus IMO, we already have two blazing speed guys so that wouldn\'t be his job. His job would be to move the chains, and win jump balls in the end zone. I can understand because of his size where there would be weight concerns, but like I said I never heard of him having a problem in college with it. As far as I understand, he is a very motivated kid with a strong work ethic.

[Edited on 14/2/2005 by saintswhodi]

Fox team report 2/13
 

Here you go Danno:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2005/..._williams.html

[Edited on 14/2/2005 by saintswhodi]

Fox team report 2/13
 

saintswhodi i didnt read all of the posts on here so im not sure what direction the post took but i really loved your idea of getting williams. i really dont want to see joe go but he has no more then two or three years left. no matter what you say about the guy he has been consistent and he is the best wo we have ever had. martin has to go second. i do think joe has been one of the top 5 wo\'s over the last few years. i hope we can sign him. and maybe also get williams. that would be just ridiculous. but if not i like your idea of williams. that kid is going to be a great player in this league. i was just reading an article on him in espn the mg. that he has been working out with michael irvin on his route running. is there anyway we can give joe some high bonus money and have the last three years of his contract be heavy on the salary cap. just wondering if there are any options. well good post saintswhodi

Fox team report 2/13
 

Thanks spk, but we only got on Williams cause we spoke of the possibility of Joe wanting crazy money, and if he did, we would have to go in another direction. Danno also pointed out that Joe having this monster year may have given him enough value for us to get something decent for him. I agreed with that. I fhis salary demands are too high, we need to trade him, and Mike Williams could fill the void. He is a freak. And with the success of receivers like Michael Clayton, Roy Williams, Boldin, Colbert all in their first year, the WR position is developing faster in the NFL. Williams is ready IMO.

Fox team report 2/13
 

oh i agree 100%. with certain receivers the development has been dramatically reduced. i think without doubt he is one of those players. i hope he slips this year because of the one year layoff and we go and get him. but i dont expect joe to come back. i hope and pray we find away but it just doesnt seem feasible. but either way i would love to get williams.

Fox team report 2/13
 

40 times are over rated... look what Boldin did his rookie season in Arizona... he dropped in the draft because he ran a 4.6... look what Michael Clayton has done his rookie year also... he also ran a 4.5/4.6...

Game speed is so much more different than straight line speed. Mike Williams will be a monster.

Fox team report 2/13
 

oh papz your so right. look at henderson. he didnt even play this year. but from what i read in espn mag. this month mike has ben running a 4.43 on a fast track. but anyway you look at it speed has nothing to do with it until you play the game. then all of the track times can be thrown out. game speed is much different. this guy can just play. if he falls in the draft how long can you wait to take a shot. if we put a second on henderson then how long do we wait to get williams