Inside Slant
 

Inside Slant
A smooth off-season for the Saints threatened to get rocky last week when the agent for left tackle Wayne Gandy claimed team officials want to reduce the base salary of his client.
Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis denied the claim made by agent Neil Schwartz that the team wants to reduce the salary of the 13-year veteran, who has been with the team since 2003.

Gandy is expected to anchor a new-look offensive line that included the moving of right guard Montrae Holland to the left side and the addition of free agent Jermane Mayberry and first-round draft choice Jamall Brown at right tackle.

Only Gandy and center LeCharles Bentley would be in the same places they played at last season.

Gandy signed a six-year, $25 million contract with the Saints in 2003 and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $5.25 million this year. His original base salary of $4.5 million was boosted by $750,000 last year when he triggered an escalator clause by meeting minimum playing time incentives.

Schwartz said Saints officials cited "non-productivity" as the reason for the pay cut. Schwartz and Gandy declined the Saints' request during meetings with club officials during the team's minicamp June 10-11.

"I don't know where this came from," Schwartz told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "Wayne graded out at 90 to 95 percent in every game but one this year, and he graded at 89 percent in the other.

"I've got the grade cards to prove it. You tell me where the guy lacked productivity. This non-productivity claim is fiction. I think it's from the Wizard of Oz."

Loomis, however, said he "never asked Wayne to reduce his salary. I haven't done that. I don't know where that story came from." When asked if he contacted Gandy or his agent to discuss the contract, Loomis said no.

Gandy's $6.08 million salary cap figure is the third highest on the Saints' roster. Defensive end Darren Howard and quarterback Aaron Brooks have the highest cap charges at $7.8 million and $7.73 million.


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...aints/home.htm

RE: Inside Slant
 

Sniff sniff sniff

O man I smell a Hasbeen excuse coming .

They need time to gel .......

Most likely a comment made around mid season .....

i was not all that impressed with gandy last year. I wouldn't think its a big deal if we lose him!!!

Its funny -- players always want to blow off their contract when they think they deserve a raise -- its rare that a player say -- I sucked last year -- let me take a pay cut

I do like to see players taking pay cuts to bring in other players though...