New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Something definitely going down today??

New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com (https://blackandgold.com/community/)

- Saints (https://blackandgold.com/saints/)

- - Something definitely going down today?? (https://blackandgold.com/saints/8060-something-definitely-going-down-today.html)

Something definitely going down today??

Do you guys think the trigger will be pulled sometime this morning? I think there's some sort of deadline at 3pm today w/ Howard, not sure about what. Something about not being able to negotiate w/ him till July if somethings not worked out???.....anybody have any info?

Something definitely going down today??

My prediction is Tebucky either being cut or traded to Miami today. This process is long overdue. Trade him for a 6th rounder and let\'s get this over with. With Howard we can still take sometime and fish for the best deal possible... hopefully a second rounder and maybe a 4th in either this year\'s draft or next. We\'ve been swinging similiar type of deals the past couple of drafts for future picks.

Something definitely going down today??

Basically the deal is if we don\'t trade Howard today, we are unable to work on a long term deal for him again until after July 15. If we did before July 15, we lose the right to use our franchise tag for the length of the contract he signs with us. This is the make or break date. We are against the wall in that we have not been working on a long term deal for Howard, and instead have been trying to trade him. If nothing happens today, I believe we are stuck until July. Which means we will have zero extra picks in this draft, and howard\'s franchise contract figure on the books.

Something definitely going down today??

I wish I could recall what all I was told Sat. but Howard hasn\'t signed the franchise tag tender either. So at 3pm the Saints can not work on a long-term deal until July with him and Howard becomes a 7.6 cap hit for 2005.

[Edited on 14/3/2005 by Euphoria]

Something definitely going down today??

Howard did sign the tag offer, the link was posted here last week. Hold up let me find it:

Quote:

For the second consecutive offseason, New Orleans defensive lineman Darren Howard will sign the one-year qualifying offer for a \"franchise\" player, ESPN.com has learned.

But while the move will guarantee the $7.8 million which accompanies the \"franchise\" designation for the five-year veteran, and means the club cannot rescind the marker, it doesn\'t ensure that Howard will be back with the Saints in 2005.

Despite the significance the \"franchise\" designation implies, Saints officials are open to trading Howard if someone meets their asking price. It is believed that New Orleans is seeking a second-round draft choice. League sources said there have been discussions with at least one NFC franchise.Agent Gary Wichard apprised New Orleans officials on Tuesday that he is filing the paperwork to accept the qualifying offer. Howard did the same thing last year, hoping to subsequently sign a long-term contract, but that never developed. In a surprising move, but one aimed at assuring that Howard didn\'t defect in unrestricted free agency, with New Orleans getting nothing in return, the Saints employed the \"franchise\" marker again two weeks ago.

There have once again been no negotiations, though, on a long-term contract.
The New Orleans financial situation does not dictate a trade of Howard, but moving him to another team would create substantial salary cap room and provide the team further flexibility in pursuing other players. Plus, the Saints already have two standout young defensive ends, both former first-round picks, in Charles Grant and Will Smith.

Howard, 28, should be attractive to teams seeking an accomplished two-way defender. Last year, the Saints often moved Howard to tackle in \"nickel\" situations and, despite little previous experience there, he was a force on the pass rush, tying his career best with 11 sacks. He also had 46 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, in only 12 starts.

A second-round pick in the 2000 draft, the former Kansas State standout has posted 229 tackles, 41 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, six recoveries and two interceptions, appearing in 69 games and starting all but one of them.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len\'s chat archive, click here

Something definitely going down today??

why odn\'t we trade him to the chiefs-that would be the perfect-win-win scenario.

Something definitely going down today??

Just a follow up:

Quote:

Howard, Jones on to-be dealt list
By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

The New Orleans Saints have retained \"nickel\" cornerback and unrestricted free agent Jason Craft, signing the six-year veteran to a four-year contract. But it\'s the players that the Saints don\'t plan to keep around who could make even bigger news.

Darren Howard
Defensive End
New Orleans Saints
Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
46 38 8 4 11 0

New Orleans officials have ramped up trade talks in an effort to deal a pair of defensive starters, end Darren Howard and free safety Tebucky Jones, and hope to soon complete trades of both veteran players. The Saints and Miami Dolphins have spent considerable time in the past two days, in fact, working on a deal involving Jones, the leading tackler for New Orleans in 2004.

It is Howard, though, who is generating the most interest.

At least a half-dozen teams, most notably the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, have discussed a possible swap to land Howard, a five-year veteran and a proven pass rusher. ESPN.com first reported two weeks ago that the Saints, who designated Howard as a \"franchise\" player, hoped to trade him for a high-round draft choice.

Howard, 28, last week signed the one-year \"franchise\" qualifying offer of $7.8 million and that is a prohibitive amount for the Saints to carry on their salary cap. New Orleans, which has a pair of first-round defensive ends in Charles Grant and Will Smith, would prefer to rid itself of that cap hit. By dealing Howard, the Saints would recoup the entire $7.8 million and perhaps use the savings to work on long-term extensions for veterans such as tailback Deuce McAllister and center LeCharles Bentley.

While he has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons, Howard remains a top-shelf player at a premium position. As usual, there is a dearth of quality defensive linemen in the unrestricted free agent pool and that has enhanced his value even further. Dallas has apparently suggested a trade package that might include starting middle linebacker Dat Nguyen and draft choices. The Cowboys have plenty of bargaining ammunition, since they own two first-round choices in this year\'s draft.

Despite having to play out of position at times in 2004, moving inside to tackle in some \"nickel\" situations, Howard still posted 11 sacks, tying his career best. For his career, he has 229 tackles, 41 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.

Tebucky Jones
Safety
New Orleans Saints
Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
102 80 22 1 0 1

Jones, acquired in a 2003 trade with the New England Patriots, became expendable when the Saints signed unrestricted veteran free safety Dwight Smith last week. The Saints regard Smith as a better playmaker, a safety who can create takeaways, something for which Jones was not noted. A heavy hitter, who performs best when close to the line of scrimmage, Jones is probably better suited to playing strong safety.

He had 102 tackles in 2004, the first season in which Jones started all 16 games, but posted only two interceptions in two seasons with the Saints. If a deal is not completed for Jones over the weekend, the Saints will consider releasing him next week.

Craft, 29, appeared in 14 games for the Saints in 2004, after spending the first five years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A solid \"nickel\" defender, Craft has seven interceptions and 33 passes defensed for his career. Financial details of his new, four-year contract were not immediately available.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len\'s chat archive, click here .

Something definitely going down today??

Just to answer your question baron, I don\'t think the Chiefs can afford the salary Howard is demanding.

Something definitely going down today??

Hey,saintswhodi
don\'t want to raise a fuss but Howard has not signed the tender. Saints just tagged him and tendered the offer to him. Even in your posted quote it says will not has. Not that it means anything, but the reason for not signing is so if Howard got a trade he could sign a long term deal with that team... if he signs the offer than which ever team gets him is stuck with the contract. If Howard/Saints make a trade, Then there is a 24 hour period for Howard and the other team has to work out a contract at this point. There isn\'t any talk of such dealings at this point.

Something definitely going down today??

I got money on Jones NOT being traded to day for picks with Miami...

Something definitely going down today??

Quote:

Howard, 28, last week signed the one-year \"franchise\" qualifying offer of $7.8 million and that is a prohibitive amount for the Saints to carry on their salary cap.

Unless Len Pasquarelli is wrong, which I can accept.

Something definitely going down today??

Yeah, he is wrong... thats why 3pm is a big deal today. If he signed it then 3pm doesn\'t matter. Not signing gives him a better chance at a long term deal with another team and is supposedly a bit more attractive to another team that they can sign him to a long term deal. If trade is worked out before 3 then the other team has 24 hours to work out a contract with him.

What I don\'t understand is that if he doesn\'t sign then he becomes a UFA... if someone signs him then we get 2 first round picks for him... is what I am hearing.

Something definitely going down today??

To me, I understood 3pm to be a big deal as far as him signing a long term contract, if not we must wait until July 15th. Basically, if he agrees to a contract with another team, we sign him to it and then have the 24 hours to complete the trade to that team without taking the hit for bonuses and such. He does not once again become a UFA by 3pm if nothing is worked out though. That is false. We would have until 3pm to CUT him if no deal is worked out, or the possibility is we will be stuck with him. He would then be a UFA if we CUT him, but not if nothing is worked out.

Something definitely going down today??

I believe we shouldn\'t rush on it cause Dallas is more likely to give up that 11# pick for Howard. The way Howard dominated and practically manhandled Samuels (Redskins OT) Dallas will be foolished not to trade for Howard. They\'re licking they lips, they know that with a true pass rusher and the corners they will improve from a 21 pass defense and improve with more turnovers. It is more likely to get that 11 pick it will come down to draft day or if Minnesota or any other team put up a serious offer.

I just hope in the draft we are able to pick Carlos Rogers #11 and Jammal Brown #16 (if dallas give up #11) great chance. I also think if Alex Smith be there at 11 the saints will pull the trigger

Carlos Rogers #16 & Jammal Brown or Khalif Barnes #18 (Minnesota give up #18) fingers cross

Something definitely going down today??

partically right... the cap hit becomes automatic at 3pm and the Saints can\'t deal with him until July 15. Until he signs the offer he can be traded and then has 24 hours to work out a long term deal with that team if not then the cap hits them for the 7.6/7.8 figure. If a trade is made then its the other team to negociate with Howard for the contract if we sign him to a long term deal then we have a long term deal and we can opt out of trade, lol... sneaky but hey it could happen, lol, and we\'llhave him at that long term deal.

Something definitely going down today??

That\'s pretty much how I understood it. I am sure we won\'t back out of any long term deal if we get him to agree to it. No other NFL team would ever offer to make a trade like this wuth us again if we were that under-handed. But I do believe he has signed the tender cause if he hadn\'t, he would be able to visit other teams to solicit deals like Orlando Pace is doing. With the Saints holding all the leverage in negotiations it leads me to believe he definitely has signed the tender, and therefore we are holding all the cards. That\'s where the deadline comes into play moreso. What I read was Howard wants a deal similar to what Wistrom got last year with Seattle with bonuses approaching 17 mil, and teams are balking at that. But he is definitely better than Wistrom so I don\'t know why.

Something definitely going down today??

I don\'t know... if the Saints dump him today I think he is playing in black and gold this year. I don\'t doubt Dallas would benefit having him but I just don\'t know if there is going to be a deal struck today... makes no sense that Dallas will strick a deal after the deadline today and take the tag hit and be stuck with contract problems with him. Dallas has to get him to agree to a long tream deal before they make any trade and Iif I was Dallas I wouldn\'t give up a 11th pick for him. this year that pick is to valuable.

Something definitely going down today??

[if I was Dallas I wouldn\'t give up a 11th pick for him. this year that pick is to valuable.
[/quote:846032d1b6]

I can see it happening because they\'re noone with the slightest potential in this year draft to improve they\'re roster better than Howard. Think bout it if Howard was in this draft and Dallas pick 11, don\'t you think Dallas will pick him over all the other?

Something definitely going down today??

actually Howard holds the cards... see if the Saints can trade him now then he can negociate with other team for a long term deal. Aside from the 7.8 tender that will take affect at 3 and the 24 hour grace period to sign a deal with another team, he won\'t be able to get a long term deal. He has the option of dealing with another team by not signing.

I guess it all becomes mute at 3pm... lol. Because I don\'t see a trade happening. Howard is going to be a Saint at 7.8 or so million.

Something definitely going down today??

I never thought they would give up number 11. That thought hadn\'t even crossed my mind. #20 did though. I agree if we don\'t get a deal done, we will see him in black and gold next year, unless he is traded after July 15th for picks in next year\'s draft. But if that is the case, then there would be hold ups with long term deals for other players, cause we have to keep the rookie portion of the cap in mind. I think if it comes down to the wire, the team accepts the offer of only a second for Howard from Dallas. With them not even discussing a long term deal with him leaves them no other option. They have to trade him today, or it throws a wrench into any other plans they had. What I expect is for them to field offers until the last minute then pull the trigger on the best deal. I hope they don\'t get burned playing the game this close, but it is the only option they really have.

Something definitely going down today??

uhm... nola_swammi
If I was Dallas... I would snag a WR or even an OLB in the draft and pass on Howard yes. If Howard was that valuable the Saints would keep them themselves and worked out a long term contract... Howard is great don\'t get me wrong but money-wise and he hasn\'t singlehandedly won us superbowls.

Something definitely going down today??

I thought I read somewhere that Minnesota offered #18 pick. Is the offer gone?

Something definitely going down today??

saintswhodi

I agree with you on that last point you made. I dont\' see us getting a first rounder for him. But it doesn\'t matter what I would take for Howard or what would be great to have for him... its just this draft is to good to pass on and get rid of picks and more teams see that than not.

Something definitely going down today??

[quote:609d8a891d]
If I was Dallas... I would snag a WR or even an OLB in the draft and pass on Howard yes.

I think they are trying to hold on to 11 pick cause the want Mike Williams also but I don\'t think he will last that long

Something definitely going down today??

If I was Dallas I would drown myself in sewage, lol. Freakin hate em.

Something definitely going down today??

Cowboys deal for Saints\' DE Howard in limbo

03:27 AM CST on Monday, March 14, 2005

From Staff Reports

IRVING ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ The Cowboys made no announcement Sunday regarding their pursuit of New Orleans defensive end Darren Howard.

New Orleans reportedly wants at least a second-round pick for Howard, their franchise player who had 11 sacks last season. Howard wants a long-term deal similar to the six-year, $33 million contract that Grant Wistrom received from Seattle last March.

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstoryn...1374e58a4.html