saints might go after NT

baronm · 03-01-2005, 09:22 AM

Texans' Payne to test market
Nose tackle still on the mend after hamstring surgery
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
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The free-agent market opens for business Wednesday, and while it remains to be seen if the Texans' biggest free agent will be an early buyer, he is prepared to do some window-shopping.

Discussions between the Texans and Ralph Cindrich, the agent for Seth Payne, have not produced a deal, and time is running out for the Texans' exclusive negotiating rights with the unrestricted free agent nose tackle.

The two sides have no contract talks scheduled between now and the start of the signing period, although neither has closed the door.

Packing his bags
"I think what probably will happen is he will go into free agency and make a couple of visits," Cindrich said. "He really likes playing in Houston, and he likes the people there, but at the same time, once you get into free agency, anything can happen."

Of the nine free agents the Texans lost during the past two offseasons, seven signed elsewhere by March 14.

In other words, things happen quickly once players are allowed to visit other teams. The Texans did manage to sign inside linebacker Jay Foreman and strong safety Eric Brown after the market opened in 2003.

In Payne's case, the Texans might have more time on their side. He is recovering from surgery to repair two hamstring tendons attached to his pelvis.

Payne, 30, who expects to make a full recovery, is encouraged by the fact that teammate Gary Walker suffered the same injury before the 2002 season and recovered well enough to cap the year with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Texans coach Dom Capers always has praised Payne's determination in coming back from multiple knee surgeries in 2003 to play in all 16 games in 2004.

These aren't exactly the circumstances under which Payne hoped to enter free agency, but his camp is confident teams will be encouraged by his progress.

"He's way ahead of schedule, which anyone who knows Seth would expect," Cindrich said. "His prognosis is excellent to outstanding.

"Anytime you have anything that is less than 100 percent, it becomes an issue (in free agency), but it's safe to say anyone who has been associated with Seth in any capacity, on any team, is going to have an interest."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Lions defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have ties to Payne, and each team could use help on the defensive line.

Coughlin was Payne's head coach in Jacksonville. Jauron was one of three defensive coordinators with whom Payne worked in Jacksonville, and Grantham was the Texans' defensive line coach for the past three seasons.

Saints could be factor
League sources also said the Saints might have some interest in the eight-year veteran, whom the Texans acquired in the 2002 expansion draft.

The Texans already have $52.5 million, including guaranteed signing bonuses of just over $19 million, invested in Walker and defensive lineman Robaire Smith.

Jerry Deloach, who shared the nose tackle position with Payne during the first half of the 2004 season, is an unrestricted free agent. So is veteran reserve Corey Sears.

Junior Ioane, who has agreed to terms on a three-year contract, has experience at nose tackle.

Separately, the Texans have reached a one-year agreement with unrestricted free agent linebacker DeShon Polk at a base salary of $540,000.

carlton.thompson@chron.com

saintswhodi · 03-01-2005, 09:46 AM

I wouldn\'t mind Payne. He has been a masher in the middle. But will the switch to 4-3 from 3-4 hurt or help him? And 30 years old and coming off of surgery? There are more questions than answers with him, but he still could be a good pick up. Prob won\'t be too expensive either. I would not be too happy but not too sad either if we got him. Maybe he could pleasantly surprise.

baronm · 03-01-2005, 09:53 AM

one guy in the draft that I thought was apealing was the guy from UCS..that took on 2 or 3 lineman each gam-he\'s like 2-4 300

saintswhodi · 03-01-2005, 09:56 AM

Cody? I like him. Not as much as Travis Johnson but Cody definitely has a HUGE motor. Kinda like a bigger Pollack.

baronm · 03-01-2005, 10:12 AM

I\'m not sold on johnson--he reminds me of sullivan coming into the draft..

CODY!!!! that was his name...yeah.. he\'s huge and has a tremendous motor..

if we went DT THat\'s where I would want to go.

saintswhodi · 03-01-2005, 10:27 AM

I remember when Sully came out, there were FAR more questions than answers about him too, and we reached BIG for him. We could have stayed where we were and got him. Kevin Williams was taken 3 spots lower and is a star, and Johnson reminds me more of Williams than Sully. But Cody seems like the kind of guy we need. High motor self motivated kinda dude. His character alone may be worth having here.

papz · 03-01-2005, 10:33 AM

I think you guys are talking about Mike Patterson... the DT of USC. Cody is a defensive end, not the tackle. Patterson isn\'t the tallest guy out there, but looks like he can be a steal in the second or third round. He has the makings of another undersized DT with the name of La`Roi Glover.

saintswhodi · 03-01-2005, 10:40 AM

I thought Shaun cody was a DT? No? Um yeah, Cody is a DT, He played at DE some cause of his versatility, like a John Randle.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/pla...shauncody.html

They have him listed as a DT, but says his size also makes him a DT/DE tweener.

papz · 03-01-2005, 10:47 AM

I see. I don\'t think he\'ll be a good fit for our team at DT unless he puts on some more weight. He\'s a pretty good pass rusher but if you pair him up with Young in the middle, we will have 2 undersized players there. And if we expect to stop the run, we need a space eater there to help out our linebackers. We need to go big and get a BEAST!

Danno · 03-01-2005, 10:58 AM

From Fox Sports...

Defensive tackles
Featured attraction: Pat Williams, Bills. Despite his age (32) and limited ability to contribute as a pass rusher, Williams still can thrive as disruptive clogger in a two-gap scheme.

Scene stealer: Tony Williams, Bengals. Williams missed 10 games in \'04 after a chop block broke his ankle. When healthy, he is a solid one-gap penetrator and tackler.

Typecast: Jason Ferguson, Jets. Ferguson excels at controlling gaps, so he is best suited for a situation opposite another solid tackle. He isn\'t much of a backfield playmaker.

Falling star: Seth Payne, Texans. In \'03, he tore his ACL. In \'04, he tore tendons in his left hamstring. Throw in his age (31), and he isn\'t the powerful gap-clogger he once was.

Front office bomb: Chris Hovan, Vikings. This undersized (6-2, 296) underachiever wasn\'t even a starter for Minnesota at the end of the season, and he doesn\'t fit well as a tackle in a 4-3.

03-01-2005, 09:22 AM	#1
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	saints might go after NT Texans' Payne to test market Nose tackle still on the mend after hamstring surgery By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle RESOURCES HEAR IT NOW INTERACTIVE: ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Richard Justice: College football preview Requires the free RealPlayer or Flash. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Cotton Bowl ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Houston Bowl ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Rose Bowl -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COUGARS: ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ College scoreboard ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Season results ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Roster ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Schedule ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Stats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ C-USA ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â» -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRONICLE COVERAGE: ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¢ Area College Notebook: Southland Conference progresses in rankings The free-agent market opens for business Wednesday, and while it remains to be seen if the Texans' biggest free agent will be an early buyer, he is prepared to do some window-shopping. Discussions between the Texans and Ralph Cindrich, the agent for Seth Payne, have not produced a deal, and time is running out for the Texans' exclusive negotiating rights with the unrestricted free agent nose tackle. The two sides have no contract talks scheduled between now and the start of the signing period, although neither has closed the door. Packing his bags "I think what probably will happen is he will go into free agency and make a couple of visits," Cindrich said. "He really likes playing in Houston, and he likes the people there, but at the same time, once you get into free agency, anything can happen." Of the nine free agents the Texans lost during the past two offseasons, seven signed elsewhere by March 14. In other words, things happen quickly once players are allowed to visit other teams. The Texans did manage to sign inside linebacker Jay Foreman and strong safety Eric Brown after the market opened in 2003. In Payne's case, the Texans might have more time on their side. He is recovering from surgery to repair two hamstring tendons attached to his pelvis. Payne, 30, who expects to make a full recovery, is encouraged by the fact that teammate Gary Walker suffered the same injury before the 2002 season and recovered well enough to cap the year with a trip to the Pro Bowl. Texans coach Dom Capers always has praised Payne's determination in coming back from multiple knee surgeries in 2003 to play in all 16 games in 2004. These aren't exactly the circumstances under which Payne hoped to enter free agency, but his camp is confident teams will be encouraged by his progress. "He's way ahead of schedule, which anyone who knows Seth would expect," Cindrich said. "His prognosis is excellent to outstanding. "Anytime you have anything that is less than 100 percent, it becomes an issue (in free agency), but it's safe to say anyone who has been associated with Seth in any capacity, on any team, is going to have an interest." Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Lions defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have ties to Payne, and each team could use help on the defensive line. Coughlin was Payne's head coach in Jacksonville. Jauron was one of three defensive coordinators with whom Payne worked in Jacksonville, and Grantham was the Texans' defensive line coach for the past three seasons. Saints could be factor League sources also said the Saints might have some interest in the eight-year veteran, whom the Texans acquired in the 2002 expansion draft. The Texans already have $52.5 million, including guaranteed signing bonuses of just over $19 million, invested in Walker and defensive lineman Robaire Smith. Jerry Deloach, who shared the nose tackle position with Payne during the first half of the 2004 season, is an unrestricted free agent. So is veteran reserve Corey Sears. Junior Ioane, who has agreed to terms on a three-year contract, has experience at nose tackle. Separately, the Texans have reached a one-year agreement with unrestricted free agent linebacker DeShon Polk at a base salary of $540,000. carlton.thompson@chron.com
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

03-01-2005, 09:46 AM	#2
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	saints might go after NT I wouldn\'t mind Payne. He has been a masher in the middle. But will the switch to 4-3 from 3-4 hurt or help him? And 30 years old and coming off of surgery? There are more questions than answers with him, but he still could be a good pick up. Prob won\'t be too expensive either. I would not be too happy but not too sad either if we got him. Maybe he could pleasantly surprise.

03-01-2005, 09:53 AM	#3
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	saints might go after NT one guy in the draft that I thought was apealing was the guy from UCS..that took on 2 or 3 lineman each gam-he\'s like 2-4 300
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

03-01-2005, 09:56 AM	#4
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	saints might go after NT Cody? I like him. Not as much as Travis Johnson but Cody definitely has a HUGE motor. Kinda like a bigger Pollack.

03-01-2005, 10:12 AM	#5
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	saints might go after NT I\'m not sold on johnson--he reminds me of sullivan coming into the draft.. CODY!!!! that was his name...yeah.. he\'s huge and has a tremendous motor.. if we went DT THat\'s where I would want to go.
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

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03-01-2005, 10:27 AM	#6
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	saints might go after NT I remember when Sully came out, there were FAR more questions than answers about him too, and we reached BIG for him. We could have stayed where we were and got him. Kevin Williams was taken 3 spots lower and is a star, and Johnson reminds me more of Williams than Sully. But Cody seems like the kind of guy we need. High motor self motivated kinda dude. His character alone may be worth having here.

03-01-2005, 10:33 AM	#7
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,737	saints might go after NT I think you guys are talking about Mike Patterson... the DT of USC. Cody is a defensive end, not the tackle. Patterson isn\'t the tallest guy out there, but looks like he can be a steal in the second or third round. He has the makings of another undersized DT with the name of La`Roi Glover.

03-01-2005, 10:40 AM	#8
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	saints might go after NT I thought Shaun cody was a DT? No? Um yeah, Cody is a DT, He played at DE some cause of his versatility, like a John Randle. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/pla...shauncody.html They have him listed as a DT, but says his size also makes him a DT/DE tweener.

03-01-2005, 10:47 AM	#9
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,737	saints might go after NT I see. I don\'t think he\'ll be a good fit for our team at DT unless he puts on some more weight. He\'s a pretty good pass rusher but if you pair him up with Young in the middle, we will have 2 undersized players there. And if we expect to stop the run, we need a space eater there to help out our linebackers. We need to go big and get a BEAST!

03-01-2005, 10:58 AM	#10
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,713	saints might go after NT From Fox Sports... Defensive tackles Featured attraction: Pat Williams, Bills. Despite his age (32) and limited ability to contribute as a pass rusher, Williams still can thrive as disruptive clogger in a two-gap scheme. Scene stealer: Tony Williams, Bengals. Williams missed 10 games in \'04 after a chop block broke his ankle. When healthy, he is a solid one-gap penetrator and tackler. Typecast: Jason Ferguson, Jets. Ferguson excels at controlling gaps, so he is best suited for a situation opposite another solid tackle. He isn\'t much of a backfield playmaker. Falling star: Seth Payne, Texans. In \'03, he tore his ACL. In \'04, he tore tendons in his left hamstring. Throw in his age (31), and he isn\'t the powerful gap-clogger he once was. Front office bomb: Chris Hovan, Vikings. This undersized (6-2, 296) underachiever wasn\'t even a starter for Minnesota at the end of the season, and he doesn\'t fit well as a tackle in a 4-3.