Deuce's contract extension starts soon...
 

AP reports the Saints are expected to re-open talks with RB Deuce McAllister within the next week. McAllister's agent, Ben Dogra, said he spoke with Loomis earlier this month about resuming negotiations and hopes to submit a proposal for a multiyear deal to the Saints by next week. The sides conducted preliminary talks before and during last season. "It's our move to try to get something to the Saints," Dogra said. "Deuce wants to be in New Orleans. Hopefully, we can get something done that keeps Deuce there for the rest of his career." McAllister will earn a base salary of $2.3 million this season via an accelerator clause in his original deal that boosted his base pay by $1.75 million. His rookie contract was for six years at $6.25 million.

How much do you think Deuce is going to ask for? Do you all think he should get 7-8 mil per year (James' franchise money)?

In my opinion, no matter how much Deuce means to this franchise and how much I love having him on our team, it will cripple our cap room. If our defense is doesn't progress this year, we will have to go sign a big name DT or CB next year. And with giving Deuce a major extension, not to mention we will also have to give Bentley an extension, it will definately be a major blow to us. If you had a choice between Bentley, Deuce, and Charles Grant, which two would you choose? I would pick Bentley and Grant because they are the foundation of our lines. We were able to replace Rickey with Deuce... so I think we would have a better chance replacing Deuce with a DeAngelo Williams etc... next year.

Here's my thing, if they can sign Joe Horn and create cap room, the same could be done with an extension for Deuce. It could have accordion years like Joe's did, where one year he counts more against the cap than another, and frees up the ability to sign free agents. Most of the money will be in a bonus anyway, which will be spread over the term of the contract, which I would have to think well be 6 or 7 years long. LeCharles is a Center. I don't think his salary will be that much of a burder. Also, Darren Howard will be gone next year, freeing up cap room for Grant. If they are gonna go back to work on the contract for Deuce soon, I am pretty certain it will be team friendly and we won't be handicapped.

:D That does it for me.

Bentley is probably looking at about 3 mil a year (and probably a shorter deal, like 3-4 years), since he's at an early stage of his career. Duece will probably be in the 3.5-5 mil range, wouldn't you expect? Grant will be a premier pass rusher when his contract is up, so not resigning him soon will involve us looking at a Howard type situation... again.

I wouldn't offer Duece a 6-7 year deal. The average duration of an RB's career is 6-7 years (not including a couple years as a backup toward the end). Also, stud RBs are easier to come by than great Ends or Centers.

If I had to pick two, I'd pick LeCharles and Charles.

The reason you sign Deuce to a 6-7 year deal is not so he can play for 6-7 years, although it would be nice if he did, it is so you can cut him towards the end should he decline. You do not wanna be in the situation of signing Deuce to a 4 year deal, where he will be what 30, and he is still putting up 1500 yards. Then you run the dilemma of either trying to find a back to equal that, or paying out a lot for a 30 year old RB who may decline a year after. By signing him to a longer deal it protects the team in cutting him at the end should he decline, which is a good move. It gives Deuce the security of a long deal, and the team the knowledge that should he falter, they can get out of the situation.

Charles Grant, if I am not mistaken, is under contract for tw more years. Darren howard will be gone next year, meaning Grant will have a year left on his deal. I don't see how that would be a Howard situation at all seeing as how with Howard's money off the books, they then have the money to extend Grant.

Yes. Charles' contract is for two more years. My point was that he'll put us in a Howard like situation - proven Rush End, good productivity, experience, etc. Not that he'll make the Howard situation worse.

Long term contracts don't really "protect" the team, since a player can always hold out. There are two good things about a long term deal for the team - 1. the player will not become a free agent during that period, and 2. the bonus is extented over the life of the contract. Of course, 2. is also a problem, since moving the player from the roster will accelerate the bonus; thus, it is harder to plan for the cap hit on a longer contract.

Either way, it is encouraging that Duece wants to stay in NO. Just like Horn! Perahps we are looking at a favorable trend?

I think the 1 and 2 in there are examples of protecting the team. A hold out is a wild card. You can't predict that. You can predict that if Deuce signs a 6-7 year deal, and he declines after year 5, the cap hit is not as severe because the bonus will have been spread throughout the contract. You can also predict if Deuce signs a 4 year deal, and he is still pro bowl level after those 4 years, the cost of keeping him, along with the risk of his decline, will be much greater than if he had two years left on an existing deal. It is easier to plan for the cap hit of removing a player after year 5 of a 6 or 7 year deal than it is to deal with negotiating with said player at age 30, but they are still playing at a high level. You have NO guarantees at that point, while if that player was under contract, you know the exact risk involved in cutting or trading them. That being said, I am glad to hear more players are saying they wanna stay and finish here. That is encouaraging.

It shouldn't be too hard to get a deal done. The Alexander/James situation is favorable for the Saints, of course that'll be weighed against the contract Portis signed last year. Sign Deuce to a 6-7 year contract where the last two years are just on paper to spread the signing bonus.
Between 4 and 5 million a year sounds like fair value to me and the cap hit may be even smaller. I think he's worth it.

The "wall" that RBs hit at 30 is also pushed back IMO. I don't really have data to back it up, just a few examples: Priest Holmes, Curtis Martin, Corey Dillon ... So Deuce might play well for this team through the 2009 season. That's one position that is locked up and doesn't need adressing in free agency or the draft. Loomis will get a deal done.

Re: Deuce's contract extension starts soon...
 

You know, RBs seem to have been devalued of recent in the NFL. IMO, one major key to success in the NFL remains the running game - and a good RB makes that a lot easier to achieve.

There are questions that still surround Deuce. Health, fitness, etc. But, IMO, when healthy and in-shape, he is a top 5 or 10 talent in the league. I know that "when healthy and in-shape" has been used a lot with the guy. Still, right now, if I had to pick any single player on the team that I had to franchise, it would probably be Deuce McAllister.

That's not to say that Grant and Bentley aren't both very valuable. But to me, Deuce is the most talented, and he brings other intangibles that you want in a guy who represents your franchise. That's just my opinion.... for whatever its worth.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

Deuce will prob want L Tomlison type contract. They will both work to make it team friendly. DM wants to stay here because he's only like 3 hours from his hometown. (you know thats gotta be killer to play nfl football only 3hrs from home)
Deuce said in a interview that him being a Saint will not be an issue.
And you know if J Horn got his deal that DM will. I know i've seen plenty of games where it looked like DM was the only one keeping us in the game.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

Well put all. I guess I agree. I will contest Who's claim though - I think that Charles Grant is actually playing better ball right now than Duece, and I think he may be the better player.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

Too much cheese for you! LOL

We'll see. I like Grant a lot, but I still give the edge to Deuce. Let's see what kind of seasons the two have. A repeat of last year and I'd be inclined to agree with you.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

I'll take that.

I don't think that Grant was a fluke last year though. With as bad as the D was, he notched 78 tackles and 10 sacks! Damn.

Of course, with the line being what it was and that dumb 2TE seet, Duece may be back on the horse this year too!

I'm happy to wait and see on this one, but my hunch is that Grant is our best player right now.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

I'm not sure Grant was a fluke either. I think he'll have another great year.

Then again, I do think Deuce's year was a fluke. Three years ago he had something like 1,350 yards rushing, 350 receiving and 16 TDs. Two years ago it was over 1,600 rushing, over 500 receiving and 8 TDs. Last year he got hurt, the coaches screwed with the offense, and the offense never really got on track - nor did he. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back over 1,500 yards and 400 or 500 receiving.

If Deuce is back around 2000 total yards and 12 or more TDs, I think he becomes more valuable than Grant. That's my point cheese-lover.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

Cheese is a step up from smog, ain't it?

I think with the numbers you suggest, replaceability becomes a factor in who is more valuable to us. It is my belief, though largely unfounded I'm sure, that it would be easier to replace Duece than Grant.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

So there's a bigger drop-off in talent from Grant to Howard and W. Smith than there is from Deuce to A. Smith or Stecker???

Kool - you know that you get all goofy when you eat cheese and granola together! :)

RE: Re: Deuce
 

I meant around the league. Not on our freakish team.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

So that's a no? LOL :)

You're probably right, there is more talent around the league right now at RB than at DE.

RE: Re: Deuce
 

PS - Just b/c I haven't seen one of these in a while. He Kool, you got CHAIROWNED!

http://www.danslagle.com/interests/own3d/l64.jpg

RE: Re: Deuce
 

LOL. (Insert blinking McGreggor)