Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

Saints plan to place franchise tag on Howard
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer

The Saints plan to designate defensive end Darren Howard as a franchise free agent for a second consecutive season, General Manager Mickey Loomis said Monday.

The Saints will submit the official paperwork to the league office and NFL Players Association by Wednesday. The club has until Feb. 22 to make an official designation.

In using the franchise tag, the Saints will be forced to pay Howard a $7.8 million base salary in 2005. That's a mandatory 20 percent increase from the $6.5 million salary he received as a franchise free agent in 2004.

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Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

Well that\'s a \"DUH!!!\" move.

By franchising him, they force any suitors to negotiate. No one wants to give up two 1st rounders.

The Saints would be absolute idiots to let Howard get away for absolutely nothing.

SFIAH

[Edited on 15/2/2005 by SaintFanInATLHELL]

Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

Question is - Is DH worth the designation and the $$$?

I think the front office still regrets Glover getting away and probably feels Howard is about to peak. He sure played well down the stretch while healthier than he had been all season.

Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

Darren Howard is on the verge of being an elite DE.
I\'ll bet there are 20 teams right now trying toput together some kind of package the Saints may like.

Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

Well maybe 10 to 12. Of those, 4 or 5 will probably catch our eye. And we\'ll end up not pulling the trigger, and they\'ll say they tried, but couldn\'t get what they wanted for him.

Darren Howard to be tagged!
 

I hope they can get a deal done...we could use the extra help..

Luckily..Howard is coming off a very good year..leading the team with 11 sacks...

I\'m not sure that 10 teams will be eyeing him..but 2 or 3 is good enough...

Arizona...Minnesotta...Indy...Several teams could certainly use a guy with Howard\'s skill..but..I am a bit worried about Smith..and his ability to fill the position in a full time role...

But..if Smith were to come in..play well..and stay healthy..we could stand to benefit greatly...

I hope they can make something happen...