LKelley67

Lots of people getting antsy.

from dfw.com. yesterday-

What's the status of the deal for Saints defensive end Darren Howard?

It's not dead, just simmering. But Jones said it is not going anywhere at this time. The Cowboys haven't had a player with double-digit sacks since Tony Tolbert in 1996. The team's four starting defensive linemen had 19.5 sacks in 16 games last season. Howard had 11 sacks in 13 games last season and has 41 sacks the past five years. The Cowboys have yet to agree on compensation with the Saints. And members of the organization are hesitant about the financial commitment it would take to sign Howard, who is seeking a six-year, $34 million contract, including a $16 million bonus. This, however, will be resolved on draft day. Howard wants to join the Cowboys. Let's see who blinks between the Cowboys and Saints.

Danno

My guess is a few teams are eyeing Howard. Some may want to address another need in the draft before they pull the trigger on him.
Other teams may pull the trigger after all the DE\'s they wanted are snatched up before they pick.

I think it may end up being a 2006 1st rounder for him. Probably a conditional pick.

JKool

That is my guess too Danno.

We all want picks this year, but if we can get a first next year (and maybe a second conditional pick next year or a 3rd this year), I\'d be ok with that.

Without Howard\'s franchise contract on the books, we can give Horn, Bentely, Duece, and McKenzie all raises, and still have enough to sign our rookies (in fact, we can give four of them $1 mil raises this year and sign all our rookies on what Howard\'s contract number is right now).

Here is some food for thought though. We may need to think about unloading one of our big contracts this year, so we won\'t have to worry about the cap hit next year. Here is my preference: sign Sully\'s replacement this year (if we stay at #16, I think we\'ll take a DT) and cut him. This way, we\'ll take the hit this year, but we\'ll have extra space next year. This would avoid the \"talent hemorage\" that may be coming. Second choice, AB restructures or we get a replacement.

Just some thoughts.

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

GumboBC

JKool --

You want to cut Sully? Why?

IMO, there\'s just too much of a chance Sully will play well this year.

Taking a chance on Sully this year isn\'t going to make or break this team. And it won\'t put us in cap hell next year.

From all the reports I\'ve read, Sully is doing all the right things. He has lost weight and his attitude seems to be much better.

If Sully is the same ol\' Sully then we get rid of him. Not until then though.

My 2 cents.

[Edited on 11/4/2005 by GumboBC]

BRSaintsFan

i thought that each team received an extra amount of cap space to sign their draft class???

as far as im concerned, cut sully. being overweight and lazy, he is playing ball in the wrong city. ill take someone fresh out of college with something to prove and a positive attitude over sully even if sully would play well this year

GumboBC

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But how can you say you want Sully gone even if he played well this year.

Sounds like it\'s personal with you and that you really don\'t care about the team winning. Why waste a draft pick on a DT when you don\'t have to?

JKool

Billy,

My thought was this: if we can resign Horn, Bentley, McKenzie, and McAllister to longer contracts this year (though it is not obvious that a new and better contract for each of these guys would greatly increase our cap number), then we would need some cap room next year.

As I understand it, Sully\'s cap number for next year would be near 3 mil. That is a lot for a guy who hasn\'t really done anything yet. I suppose we could wait until mid-season to cut him (to see if he does improve). Just looking at the roster the way it is now, he is the obvious cap-casualty IMO.

Sure, Sully can\'t play worse than last year, but that isn\'t saying much.

A DT wouldn\'t be a waste of a pick. If Sully shows up, then we\'ve got two studs. If he doesn\'t we have insurance and someone to play with Young. Furthermore, a skilled DT would help keep linemen off our young LBs. Also, since we won\'t get DJ, I\'m ok with LBs that will be available in the 2nd round.

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

ScottyRo

I was onboard with cutting Sully til I looked at his contract numbers - according to nflpa.com. I know his cap hit is higher cuz of the bonus, but his base looks very good. At least until \'08 (maybe \'07). IF (and I mean IF) he can do ANYTHING this season, he\'s probably worth the 500k he\'s going to be paid.

As far trading for an \'06 pick for Howard, the only thing I like about that is the possibility of getting more picks. Since Dallas wont be able to guarantee that even their 1st rounder wont be 32nd overall, we\'d probably get at least one extra pick. Plus, future years draft picks are always seen as less valuable.

I still say we keep him if we can\'t get adequate compensation for him.

no_cloning

So there are now two reasons we hope that defensive ends go high in the draft: Talent at other positions will be there when the Saints pick and a deal for Howard will get done earlier.
Does the New Orleans FO have the nerves for a gamble like that? On the one hand I agree with WhoDat that it wouldn\'t hurt the team if Howard returned for another season, on the other hand I feel that Loomis et al. REALLY feel like they need to trade him.
Let\'s hope they don\'t blink.

Cutting Sullivan? Here are his base salaries: http://www.nflpa.org/Members/playerProfile.asp?ID=34578
Add roughly 1.5 million per year and you get the actual cap number. Even if he doesn\'t pan out, the Saints may have to keep him under contract through 2006 to avoid the cap hit in a year several contracts have to be renewed.
From a cap or financial standpoint you just keep him, from a \"cancer\" standpoint you have to cut him if he flops again this season.
Difficult decision, but they definitely won\'t cut him this year unless he screws up big time before the season.

GumboBC

JKool --

Drafting a DT wouldn\'t be a wasted pick.

But, when\'s the last time you saw a DT make an impact in his rookie season?

Rookie DTs often struggle. Even the great ones.

So, I think a DT wouldn\'t help much this year. And I think we\'d be better served drafting a LB or OT (and I\'m really hoping OT) and signing a DT in free-agency next year.

No one here can tell me Sully doesn\'t have the talent to succeed. That hasn\'t been the problem. If Sully didn\'t have the talent to get it done, then I\'d say goodbye. But sometimes you have to take more chances with guys like Sully, IMHO.