Saints Reach Contract Agreements With Six Key Veterans

[Arch Stanton]

March 22, 2005, New Orleans Saints
Mar 22, 2005 – 11:17 am

The New Orleans Saints reached contract agreements with six veteran contributors; it was announced today by Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. The club reached approval on negotiated deals with S Steve Gleason (three years), DE Tony Bryant (two years), TE Lamont Hall (one year), LB Sedrick Hodge (one year), S Mel Mitchell (one year) and LB Terrence Melton (one year).

"Keeping core players is an important step," said Loomis. "We've added to the quality of our roster and our depth with our recent unrestricted free agent signings, and today's moves maintain the players who form that core group of players that have contributed to this team."

Gleason, who was an unrestricted free agent entering his fifth year, is one of the NFL's elite special teams performers, annually finishing among the club's most productive players on the coverage units. In 2004, he had 15 tackles (14 solo) and notched a blocked punt for the third-straight year. He has posted 62 special teams stops (44 solo) since 2002, the club's highest total over that span.

Bryant is also a standout on special teams, having been voted NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a potentially game-tying field goal on the last play of the victory in the 2004 finale at the Carolina Panthers. Bryant is also a valued member of the defensive front, posting 31 tackles (23 solo), a pair of sacks and three pass defenses last season. Entering his fifth season, he was also an unrestricted free agent who garnered interest around the league.

Hall, an unrestricted free agent preparing for his sixth season, provides depth, strong blocking and veteran leadership to the platoon at tight end, playing in all 16 games and starting two contests. He hauled in a four-yard touchdown at Oakland last season. In two stints with the Saints (2000-2002, 2004) Hall has started 14 of 64 games and has 10 grabs for 58 yards and two TDs.

Hodge, another unrestricted free agent who was retained, has opened 32 of 50 contests since being selected in the third round in 2001. He started six of the nine games he played in 2004 and notched 31 tackles (23 solo). In his career, he has 175 stops (146 solo), a sack, 13 pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Like Gleason, Mitchell is also one of the Saints' top special teams players. He was named to Sports Illustrated's All-Pro team (Dr. Z) in 2004 for his efforts after recording a team-leading 29 tackles. Mitchell also forced a fumble on the kickoff coverage unit at Oakland that was scooped up by LB Colby Bockwoldt and returned six yards for the game-clinching touchdown. Entering his fourth season, Mitchell was a restricted free agent.

Melton, signed by the Saints on Dec. 2, 2004 off the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, gives New Orleans another active young linebacker with speed. He saw action in two games for the Saints last year, primarily on special teams. Melton was an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA).

[Qwickdraw]

Hey,
they left out the part about how the Saints traded Darren Howard to the Dallas Cowboys for Keith O'Neil.

jk

[BrAinPaiNt]

Hmmm...no extension for Horn yet.

[jksmith269]

I wonder how much of there cap room the ate up, and if this adds pressure to move Howard?

[KingTuna]

Tiem for the AINT's to unload Howard to us now!!

[alpha]

Evidently the Aints aren't interested in "keeping core players" like RB Deuce McAllister, C LeCharles Bentley, CB Mike McKenzie, WR Joe Horn, DE Charles Grant, etc., or they'd have taken the second rounder the 'Boys are offering and cleared Howard's $7.8 mil cap charge.

Makes you wonder if they're familiar with the concept of 'prioritizing needs.'

[p226sig]

Originally Posted by alpha

Evidently the Aints aren't interested in "keeping core players" like RB Deuce McAllister, C LeCharles Bentley, CB Mike McKenzie, WR Joe Horn, DE Charles Grant, etc., or they'd have taken the second rounder the 'Boys are offering and cleared Howard's $7.8 mil cap charge.

Makes you wonder if they're familiar with the concept of 'prioritizing needs.'

That's just not smart thing to say.



I sure that in your head the numbers don't match what you think they should be, but I bet they have more smarts in their farts than you will ever materialize in your entire life.

[font=Times New Roman][/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Some of you guys simply amaze me with all of your self appointed intellect?[/font]

[alpha]

Originally Posted by p226sig

That's just not smart thing to say.



I sure that in your head the numbers don't match what you think they should be, but I bet they have more smarts in their farts than you will ever materialize in your entire life.

[font=Times New Roman][/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Some of you guys simply amaze me with all of your self appointed intellect?[/font]

And yet you somehow are unable to see the irony in your own self-qualified citicism of others. Then again, I'd wager you never let your own hypocrisy stop you from being critical of others in the past. So why start now, eh?

The Saints can stand pat and pay Howard $7.8 mil garanteed to backup their starters, only to face an even fuglier decision next year; franchise Howard again to the tune of $9.4 mil garanteed or let him walk as a UFA without compensation. Or they can free up Howard's $7.8 mil cap charge to sign another FA or two, extend their real "core players" and have an extra second round pick to spend in the upcoming draft.

Doesn't take the NFL Executive of the Year to see Nawlins options are severely limited to say the least. Please show me where my "self appointed intellect" has led me astray. Perhaps your superior intellect is capable of describing a scenario under which Nawlins keeps Howard without compromising their best chances to improve. How can keeping Howard possibly be in the best interests of their team?

[T.OwnsU]

The Howard Deal is going to get done eventually. There is no rush to EXTEND contracts everyone is still under contracts why rush to unload Howard for less then hes worth just to extend contracts to people who are under contract thru this year and next. We havent even hit Training Camp. Our cap will be fine most of those players most likely took league min. If theres one thing that Loomis is good at thats managing the cap.

[alpha]

Originally Posted by T.OwnsU

The Howard Deal is going to get done eventually. There is no rush to EXTEND contracts everyone is still under contracts why rush to unload Howard for less then hes worth just to extend contracts to people who are under contract thru this year and next. We havent even hit Training Camp. Our cap will be fine most of those players most likely took league min. If theres one thing that Loomis is good at thats managing the cap.

Agreed. As long as the Saints aren't interested in spending that extra draft pick this year, there's no rush. But what makes you think holding out indefinitely will net the Saints more than they're currently being offered?

I'd wager if the Saints wait 'til after the draft, the 'Boys will have already filled their need for a pass rushing DE with one of their first round picks. After all, it wouldn't be prudent for Dallas to count on a trade that may never materialize. I'm not sure how that helps Nawlins negotiating position any...

[Nors]

Most of these guys are min type contracts that have minimal Cap impact.

Horn is participating in offseason program. Howard still a Saint.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by alpha

Evidently the Aints aren't interested in "keeping core players" like RB Deuce McAllister, C LeCharles Bentley, CB Mike McKenzie, WR Joe Horn, DE Charles Grant, etc., or they'd have taken the second rounder the 'Boys are offering and cleared Howard's $7.8 mil cap charge.

Makes you wonder if they're familiar with the concept of 'prioritizing needs.'

That's what I was thinking.

[DWAREZ]

Yes but their cap space is shrinking the 5.5 under is no longer the case plus factoring the rookie pool as well. Veteran cuts will still count some against the cap...this does put them in a tight spot.

[Nors]

Post quick reply function! I get the one liners now!!!!

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by Nors

Post quick reply function! I get the one liners now!!!!

That's what it's there for Nors...