Sunday Darren Howard

LKelley67 · 03-13-2005, 12:14 AM

i didn't see this on yesterday's thread-

NO DAT
Saturday, March 12, 2005
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ The Cowboys still want New Orleans Saints defensive end Darren Howard, but they're no longer willing to part with middle linebacker Dat Nguyen to complete a deal, two sources said Saturday.

A source said Jim Steiner, Nguyen's agent, spoke to a team representative Saturday and was assured that Nguyen would not be traded. Initially, the Cowboys were willing to discuss an offer for Nguyen, but decided they didn't want to part with him, two sources said.

Nguyen, owner Jerry Jones and vice president Stephen Jones could not be reached for comment.

The Saints wanted Nguyen, who had a team-high 135 tackles with three interceptions last season, because he's a productive player, and he's close to Saints owner Tom Benson.

The Cowboys, though, still covet Howard.

A source close to Howard said the defensive end's agent spoke with Stephen Jones on Saturday, and he is expected to give Howard's agent a contract proposal today.

New Orleans made Howard, 28, its franchise player, and the Saints have tendered a one-year contract that will pay him $7.6 million this season, but the deal has not been signed.

If Howard doesn't sign the contract by 3 p.m. Monday, then he and the Saints can't negotiate a long-term deal that would help New Orleans lower Howard's salary-cap figure in 2005, until July.

If Howard can agree to terms with another team before the deadline Monday, then he could sign the tender, and his new club would have a 24-hour window to restructure the contract.

New Orleans reportedly wants at least a second-round pick for Howard. Howard, who had 11 sacks in 13 games last season, wants a long-term deal.

Howard will probably want a deal similar to the six-year, $33 million contract with a $14 million signing bonus that Grant Wistrom received from Seattle this month. Wistrom has 45 ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â½ sacks in seven seasons; Howard has 41 sacks in five seasons.

Even if the Cowboys reach a financial agreement with Howard, they must still figure out how to compensate the Saints.

Last month at the NFL scouting combine, Jerry Jones said he would not trade draft picks for players.

Howard could make Jones change his mind.

With Howard (6-3, 278 pounds) and Greg Ellis at defensive end and La'Roi Glover and Jason Ferguson at defensive tackle, the Cowboys could have their best defensive line since the early '90s.

Howard, who doesn't have the classic burst usually associated with outstanding pass-rushers, does an excellent job of using his hands and contorting his body to get around tackles and to the quarterback.

He's a proven playmaker with 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in the last 21 games.

03-13-2005, 12:14 AM	#1
LKelley67 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: baton rouge Posts: 2,540	Sunday Darren Howard i didn't see this on yesterday's thread- NO DAT Saturday, March 12, 2005 By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News IRVING ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ The Cowboys still want New Orleans Saints defensive end Darren Howard, but they're no longer willing to part with middle linebacker Dat Nguyen to complete a deal, two sources said Saturday. A source said Jim Steiner, Nguyen's agent, spoke to a team representative Saturday and was assured that Nguyen would not be traded. Initially, the Cowboys were willing to discuss an offer for Nguyen, but decided they didn't want to part with him, two sources said. Nguyen, owner Jerry Jones and vice president Stephen Jones could not be reached for comment. The Saints wanted Nguyen, who had a team-high 135 tackles with three interceptions last season, because he's a productive player, and he's close to Saints owner Tom Benson. The Cowboys, though, still covet Howard. A source close to Howard said the defensive end's agent spoke with Stephen Jones on Saturday, and he is expected to give Howard's agent a contract proposal today. New Orleans made Howard, 28, its franchise player, and the Saints have tendered a one-year contract that will pay him $7.6 million this season, but the deal has not been signed. If Howard doesn't sign the contract by 3 p.m. Monday, then he and the Saints can't negotiate a long-term deal that would help New Orleans lower Howard's salary-cap figure in 2005, until July. If Howard can agree to terms with another team before the deadline Monday, then he could sign the tender, and his new club would have a 24-hour window to restructure the contract. New Orleans reportedly wants at least a second-round pick for Howard. Howard, who had 11 sacks in 13 games last season, wants a long-term deal. Howard will probably want a deal similar to the six-year, $33 million contract with a $14 million signing bonus that Grant Wistrom received from Seattle this month. Wistrom has 45 ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â½ sacks in seven seasons; Howard has 41 sacks in five seasons. Even if the Cowboys reach a financial agreement with Howard, they must still figure out how to compensate the Saints. Last month at the NFL scouting combine, Jerry Jones said he would not trade draft picks for players. Howard could make Jones change his mind. With Howard (6-3, 278 pounds) and Greg Ellis at defensive end and La'Roi Glover and Jason Ferguson at defensive tackle, the Cowboys could have their best defensive line since the early '90s. Howard, who doesn't have the classic burst usually associated with outstanding pass-rushers, does an excellent job of using his hands and contorting his body to get around tackles and to the quarterback. He's a proven playmaker with 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in the last 21 games.