Saints Looking to Run Over Foes (ESPN.com)

TallySaint · 08-11-2005, 01:50 PM

Updated: Aug. 11, 2005, 12:08 PM ET

Saints looking to run over foes

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

METAIRIE, La. -- In a far corner of the New Orleans Saints' locker room, just to the side of the stall occupied by left offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, a soft, leather rocker/recliner sits rather incongruously. When the 12-year veteran signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2003, he purchased the recliner so that he could bag the occasional nap between practices or simply rest his weary bones following a long and arduous day.

Although, given the purported events of the offseason, Gandy wondered if the franchise still wanted him around.

While team officials disagree with the contention, agent Neil Schwartz feels the Saints tried to force his client to accept a salary reduction from his scheduled $5.25 million. And according to Schwartz, team officials sought to have Gandy attend the offseason sessions he regularly skips, because they felt they were important to team unity. All this despite the fact Gandy is a veteran who has organized team outings, promoted camaraderie and played at a level that earned him blocking grades of 93 percent or higher in all but one of 16 games last season.

Story continues...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...len&id=2131362

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08-11-2005, 01:50 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Saints Looking to Run Over Foes (ESPN.com) Updated: Aug. 11, 2005, 12:08 PM ET Saints looking to run over foes By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com METAIRIE, La. -- In a far corner of the New Orleans Saints' locker room, just to the side of the stall occupied by left offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, a soft, leather rocker/recliner sits rather incongruously. When the 12-year veteran signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2003, he purchased the recliner so that he could bag the occasional nap between practices or simply rest his weary bones following a long and arduous day. Although, given the purported events of the offseason, Gandy wondered if the franchise still wanted him around. While team officials disagree with the contention, agent Neil Schwartz feels the Saints tried to force his client to accept a salary reduction from his scheduled $5.25 million. And according to Schwartz, team officials sought to have Gandy attend the offseason sessions he regularly skips, because they felt they were important to team unity. All this despite the fact Gandy is a veteran who has organized team outings, promoted camaraderie and played at a level that earned him blocking grades of 93 percent or higher in all but one of 16 games last season. Story continues... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...len&id=2131362 8)