Forget Kearse, I'd rather sign Darren Howard

[mhd24]

He'll be cheaper then Kearse, and he is a more complete player, in that he's an excellent run defender, as well as a terriffic pass rusher.

[Chrisbob74]

Winey handled him well when we played them!

[inmate running the asylum]

I haven't heard anything about Howard being an UFA? My guess is that he is under contract for 2004 or is a RFA, in which case we probably cant get him for less than a #1 and #3 draft pick.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187563

[Buddha]

There were articles this week saying that he has met performance milestones to void the final year of his contract. The Saints will probably end up franchising him if they don't sign him to a long term deal.

[Zen-like Todd]

http://www.thehuddlereport.com/2004FA/fapos.htm

THE HUDDLE REPORT Dec. 1

by Aaron Freeman

Top 2004 Free Agents

Pos. Rnk. Player Name Team Status Age Grade

QB 1 Peyton Manning Colts UFA 28 9.25

QB 2 Marc Bulger Rams RFA 27 6.60

QB 3 Rob Johnson Raiders UFA 31 4.65

QB 4 A.J. Feeley Eagles RFA 27 4.50

QB 5 Damon Huard Patriots UFA 31 4.45

RB 1 Rudi Johnson Bengals RFA 24 5.50

RB 2 Troy Hambrick Cowboys RFA 25 5.15

RB 3 Kevin Faulk Patriots UFA 28 4.95

RB 4 Shawn Bryson Lions UFA 28 4.90

RB 5 Kevan Barlow 49ers RFA 25 4.85

FB 1 Terrelle Smith Saints UFA 26 4.75

FB 2 Sam Gash Bills UFA 35 4.55

FB 3 Greg Comella Texans UFA 29 4.50

FB 4 Dan Kreider Steelers UFA 27 4.50

FB 5 Jameel Cook Buccaneers RFA 25 4.50

WR 1 Terrell Owens 49ers UFA 30 9.30

WR 2 Steve Smith Panthers RFA 25 6.70

WR 3 Darrell Jackson Seahawks UFA 25 5.55

WR 4 Tai Streets 49ers UFA 27 5.15

WR 5 Kevin Dyson Panthers UFA 29 5.00

TE 1 Jim Kleinsasser Vikings UFA 27 6.00

TE 2 Erron Kinney Titans UFA 27 5.75

TE 3 Mark Campbell Bills UFA 28 5.00

TE 4 Brandon Manumaleuna Rams RFA 24 4.75

TE 5 Jed Weaver 49ers UFA 28 4.55

T 1 Orlando Pace Rams UFA 28 9.35

T 2 Walter Jones Seahawks UFA 30 9.00

T 3 Chad Clifton Packers UFA 28 7.65

T 4 John Tait Chiefs UFA 29 6.75

T 5 Todd Wade Dolphins UFA 27 6.45

G 1 Damien Woody Patriots UFA 26 7.15

G 2 Adam Timmerman Rams UFA 33 6.80

G 3 Mike Gandy Bears RFA 25 5.10

G 4 Mike Goff Bengals UFA 28 5.00

G 5 Rick DeMulling Colts RFA 27 5.00

C 1 Mike Flynn Ravens UFA 29 5.30

C 2 Rich Braham Bengals UFA 33 5.05

C 3 Gennaro DiNapoli Cowboys UFA 29 4.95

C 4 Mike Compton Patriots UFA 33 4.80

C 5 Chris Bober Giants UFA 27 4.75

DE 1 Jevon Kearse Titans UFA 28 9.10

DE 2 Grant Wistrom Rams UFA 28 6.90

DE 3 Darren Howard Saints UFA 27 6.65

DE 4 Adewale Ogunleye Dolphins RFA 27 6.05

DE 5 Eric Hicks Chiefs UFA 28 5.60

DT 1 Warren Sapp Buccaneers UFA 31 8.10

DT 2 Gary Walker Texans UFA 31 5.90

DT 3 Cornelius Griffin Giants UFA 27 5.85

DT 4 Grady Jackson Packers UFA 31 5.15

DT 5 Darrell Russell Redskins UFA 28 5.15

OLB 1 Julian Peterson 49ers UFA 26 8.05

OLB 2 Brandon Short Giants UFA 27 5.90

OLB 3 Carlos Emmons Eagles UFA 31 5.50

OLB 4 T.J. Slaughter Packers UFA 27 5.35

OLB 5 Ian Gold Broncos UFA 26 5.25

ILB 1 Al Wilson Broncos UFA 27 8.65

ILB 2 Edgerton Hartwell Ravens RFA 25 6.85

ILB 3 Randall Godfrey Seahawks UFA 31 6.00

ILB 4 Zeke Moreno Chargers RFA 25 4.50

ILB 5 Orlando Huff Seahawks RFA 26 4.35

CB 1 Champ Bailey Redskins UFA 26 9.15

CB 2 Charles Woodson Raiders UFA 27 9.00

CB 3 Chris McAlister Ravens UFA 27 7.20

CB 4 Troy Vincent Eagles UFA 34 6.60

CB 5 Antoine Winfield Bills UFA 27 6.55

S 1 Donovan Darius Jaguars UFA 29 6.10

S 2 Greg Wesley Chiefs UFA 26 4.90

S 3 Deon Grant Panthers UFA 25 4.85

S 4 Jason Sehorn Rams UFA 33 4.85

S 5 Adrian Wilson Cardinals RFA 24 4.70

K 1 Matt Stover Ravens UFA 36 5.20

K 2 John Kasay Panthers UFA 34 4.75

K 3 Doug Brien Jets UFA 33 4.55

P 1 Chris Hanson Jaguars RFA 27 4.90

P 2 John Jett Lions UFA 35 4.85

P 3 Chris Gardocki Browns UFA 34 4.80

KR 1 Terrence Wilkins Colts UFA 29 4.50

KR 2 Michael Bates Jets UFA 34 4.10

KR 3 Rod Smart Panthers RFA 27 4.00

LS 1 Jason Kyle Panthers UFA 32 4.30

LS 2 Brian Jennings 49ers UFA 27 4.15

LS 3 Joe Maese Ravens RFA 25 4.10

[inmate running the asylum]

Originally posted by Buddha

There were articles this week saying that he has met performance milestones to void the final year of his contract. The Saints will probably end up franchising him if they don't sign him to a long term deal.

O.k., I hadn't seen or heard that. But if they franchise him -- which they will have to do to keep him from walking away and getting nothing in return -- we can't afford to give up a #1 pick or more for a guy who had what 4 sacks this year?

[JMac]

Brandon Winey had a decent game against him because he just came back from an injury and was not 100%. He did have a sack as well.

I would much rather have Howard then Kearse

[inmate running the asylum]

Originally posted by SkinsFan56

I would much rather have Howard then Kearse [/b]

Yeah but would you give up the #5 pick in the draft for a guy who hasn't had double-digit sacks since his rookie season? I know I wouldn't. :laugh:

[Art]

Inmate,

Howard only played seven games I think. He's NOT an elite pass rusher. But he's a pretty decent one. Remember, he also TORE the hell out of Samuels last year in Ramsey's first start. There's NO chance the Saints franchise him in my view. They aren't going to devote THAT chunk of change required to a player of Howard's sub-elite level.

Howard would come at a lower price, but, to my way of thinking, he's not a dominating player. If he's the kind of guy we get, we need at least another two pretty good players to feel comfortable where ONE elite player might be enough to improve the rest of the guys to some degree.