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http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/ESPNSports/story?id=699399

The Saints found that same frustration in their Darren Howard negotiations. Howard's agent, Gary Wichard, worked out a contract agreement with the Cowboys in the event a trade could be worked out. The Saints wanted a second-round pick and linebacker Dat Nguyen. Bill Parcells didn't want to give up Nguyen. Owner Jerry Jones liked that second-round pick. Once again, no trade.

"There was an abundance of pass-rushers in the draft," Wichard said. "You also have the problems of more teams switching between the 3-4 and the 4-3. In Dallas' case, they never made it clear what defense they were going to be."

The availability of having Ware, Shawne Merriman, David Pollack and James available after the 10th pick — Dallas held the 11th and 20th picks — allowed the Cowboys to keep their options open. They left with Ware as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense and Marcus Spears, an ideal end in a 3-4.


Howard left Saturday knowing he was going to be a Saint.

"Now, we are going to keep Darren," Loomis said. "We couldn't get a firm offer out of Dallas. No other teams said they would do this or that to get a trade done, and he's too good a player to give away for less value. We'll keep him."