Keeping Darren Howard
 

OK, I understand we could improve at another position, and we could free up some cash for long term deals for some other guys (Deuce, Horn, Grant, Bentley, AB (ok, just seeing if you're paying attention), BUT
aren't most of those guys still under contract for 2005? And some for 2006?

I think we could live with the cap hit for 2005 and still sign these guys to new deals next year couldn't we?

And why give up an A-player at DE (one of the most coveted positions on defense) for anything less than another A-player?

I don't see the downside of keeping a solid DE, even if he is somewhat overpriced. What if Smith goes down in game 2?
Whitehead? Bryant? Anyone even close to the talent of Howard to step in? Why the urgency to deal him off?

Keeping Darren Howard
 

What if we keep howard and he gets hurt, his stock goes down. need to deal him while we can get sumptin decent 4 him.

Keeping Darren Howard
 

the problem is that they want a first rounder....but honestly I don\'t see them getting that...though I do think he is worth a first rounder.

Keeping Darren Howard
 

I still don\'t think that makes the case for urgency.

If his stock drops, won\'t his salary demands also drop?

Keeping Darren Howard
 

heres my thing..youwant to put your best guys on the feild..so you have three DE\'s..how do you play them all? and why would you want to sacrifice at another position for that luxery?

could will smith swing to SLB? would that be a possibility?

Keeping Darren Howard
 

Our D-line coach loves rotating his linemen in and out. Keeps them fresher thru the game and thru the year.
Howard, Smith, and Grant would all see about 1/3 of the snaps.

Probably more than that though because on obviuos passing downs we rush 3 DE\'s and a DT. If we traded Howard we still rotate DE\'s in and out, it would just be a combo of Grant, Smith, Bryant (or Whitehead).

I don\'t like moving Smith to LB. He\'s a DE, and apparently going to be a very good one. Why try to make him a LB? I know ours are really bad but why don\'t we just get a better SLB instead of putting a square peg in a round hole?

Keeping Darren Howard
 

that\'s my point-we have the DE\'s..we NEED a LB...which is why we really should trade howard...extra help in getting linebacker help...maybe even a soldi DT.

I understand about keepiing the guys fresh though and that is a solid point.

Keeping Darren Howard
 

if we keep him we will live. i would just like to get a good player for him or a high draft choice. then we can get rid of the cap hit and get something in return. but if we have to keep him for another year it doesnt hurt. we can find out about smith for sure. im pretty sold on the guy without a doubt. but hey wouldnt hurt to have howard for one more year. i really think we are in a win win situation. would prefer to trade him but if we have to keep him we are still doing ok. what a problem to have. to many good de\'s

Keeping Darren Howard
 

If we can fill a void with a legitimate starter at LB, then I\'m in favor of a trade. Anything else, including a first rounder, would not be as desirable, and, IMHO, there would be more upside to keeping him and doing the rotation thing. First round picks are not always lead-pipe cinches, and I know I don\'t have to remind anyone of that. I would rather spend the money on a known commodity.

Keeping Darren Howard
 

it wouldnt kill us at all saint lb