Saints Jeff Duncan says, Saints are very interested in bidding for Xavien Howard. (1 Viewer)

[Saint Droopy]

That is also a big factor. Besides who won’t be getting paid down the line, we also have to factor in, what are we willing to give up. I would give a 2nd, but not a 1st. Our first could just as well be a top 10 pick as much as a bottom 10 pick.

also the cap will be going up big time with the new TV deal kicking in, so we should be able to make some moves and hold on to some key guys.

I do believe they’ll move on from Lattimore after this season. If that’s the case I hope Adibogets a lot of reps this year and develop.

 

[El Caliente]

I prefer having a devil for 3 years instead of none altogether after this year.

But the issue with Howard’s past is he will never be satisfied with his financial situation.

I at least know that Lattimore knows this system, and the guys around him. He is entering his prime, and if he plays his tail off this season to earn the contract, it’s a sounder investment than the one that would be made in the guy that doesn’t know this system, and will be on the wrong side of 30 with a guaranteed contract.

 

[El Caliente]

also the cap will be going up big time with the new TV deal kicking in, so we should be able to make some moves and hold on to some key guys.

I do believe they’ll move on from Lattimore after this season. If that’s the case I hope Adibogets a lot of reps this year and develop.

New TV deal kicks in and we move from being over the cap from $29-$35M to something lower, but we still need to pay Winston, Williams, Lattimore, McCoy, CJGJ, etc. those guys will all want guaranteed cash too, and none of them will be in the wrong side of 30 when that guaranteed cash is being paid.

 

[SweetT]

I’m not saying that he isn’t better than Jones, I’m just saying this is the 2nd time (in 3 years) Howard has gone public about wanting a new contract.

I can see the Cowboys playing with that time bomb.

I see your point, but he outplayed his rookie contract and wanted a new deal. He was making pennies at that point. Plus, do you think the Dolphins would’ve just called him into the office and handed him a contract without him saying anything? Next, he signs a contract, only to see the team sign Byron Jones to an enormous contract. A contract that was definitely not earned by his body of work in Dallas. Maybe he just wants to maximize his money now, while he is still in his prime. He is one of the best CBs in the entire league, but he’s not the highest paid CB on his team. It makes no sense actually. Put it this way, if we signed a WR named Sterling Shepard (just throwing a name out) to a $21 million dollar contract. MT greatly outperforms him by a super wide margin, while going against the opposing best CB all season, and is making less. Do you think MT keeps his mouth shut? It’s not a Howard problem, it’s a Dolphins problem. They had no business signing Jones to that contract. I can’t see how they thought that was a good idea!?!? Did they not foresee this as a problem? At what point did they believe that Jones was worth more than their already in house guy? To us, who work every day jobs, sure we will keep our mouths shut with things like this bc we have too much to lose, but these guys are football players. If you have earned the right to ask for a raise, by performing, then by all means, ask for a raise. In fact, rework Jones’ deal and give him some of that pie

 

[SweetT]

After front office got under the cap from being 100+ mill over just a few months ago… I’ll never question these guys when it comes to managing the books. Plus they could sign Howard to a new contract if they get him and lower his cap hit over the next couple years. I’m not concerned about the cap.

The question is how much are they willing to give up for Howard.

Saint Droopy gets it. I’d gladly give up draft capital for this guy. I mean, it would save this board from melting on draft day anyway

 

[El Caliente]

I see your point, but he outplayed his rookie contract and wanted a new deal. He was making pennies at that point. Plus, do you think the Dolphins would’ve just called him into the office and handed him a contract without him saying anything? Next, he signs a contract, only to see the team sign Byron Jones to an enormous contract. A contract that was definitely not earned by his body of work in Dallas. Maybe he just wants to maximize his money now, while he is still in his prime. He is one of the best CBs in the entire league, but he’s not the highest paid CB on his team. It makes no sense actually. Put it this way, if we signed a WR named Sterling Shepard (just throwing a name out) to a $21 million dollar contract. MT greatly outperforms him by a super wide margin, while going against the opposing best CB all season, and is making less. Do you think MT keeps his mouth shut? It’s not a Howard problem, it’s a Dolphins problem. They had no business signing Jones to that contract. I can’t see how they thought that was a good idea!?!? Did they not foresee this as a problem? At what point did they believe that Jones was worth more than their already in house guy? To us, who work every day jobs, sure we will keep our mouths shut with things like this bc we have too much to lose, but these guys are football players. If you have earned the right to ask for a raise, by performing, then by all means, ask for a raise. In fact, rework Jones’ deal and give him some of that pie

You are right, and I don’t fault him for wanting more money, but the NFL isn’t your 9-5. If you or I want a raise we go speak to our boss, HR, etc. in the NFL, because you are locked in with a contract you are at the mercy of the team (unless you want to go with a 1-yr deal). You can cry about the contract you signed all you want (nobody forced him to take the deal), but play it out, or sit it out. I say all this as one who believe players should make as much as possible for as long as possible.

The story sounds a bit like Brandon Cooks situation. I don’t see how the Saints go after that situation when they have been tried to avoid it in the past.


I wonder if he goes the Le’veon Bell route (or if the Dolphins force him into that spot).

 

[SweetT]

You are right, and I don’t fault him for wanting more money, but the NFL isn’t your 9-5. If you or I want a raise we go speak to our boss, HR, etc. in the NFL, because you are locked in with a contract you are at the mercy of the team (unless you want to go with a 1-yr deal). You can cry about the contract you signed all you want (nobody forced him to take the deal), but play it out, or sit it out. I say all this as one who believe players should make as much as possible for as long as possible.

The story sounds a bit like Brandon Cooks situation. I don’t see how the Saints go after that situation when they have been tried to avoid it in the past.


I wonder if he goes the Le’veon Bell route (or if the Dolphins force him into that spot).

The Brandin Cooks situation was different. While he performed well for us, he saw a rookie come in and bested him. He knew MT was going to be the alpha, which means Cooks was going to be the #2, so he wanted to make more bc he saw the writing on the wall. MT made Brandin expendable. Especially, if you have a rookie WR over exceeding expectations. Our team did it the right way. Get rid of the potential problem. The Dolphins created a problem.
Howard was/is the #1 before and after Jones got there. Sure he took the deal, but I’m sure he didn’t expect to see Jones get $16 million type money. You pay players what they are worth. Sometimes teams tend to overpay. If Jones gets $16 million from the Dolphins, then Howard SHOULD be worth $20 million minimum to the Dolphins. That’s how Howard is looking at it. I’m sure there are many teams willing to pay Howard more than Jones. How could you not? The guy is an absolute baller. He has every right to have an ego and believe that he is worth more. He’s proved it. You think Ram was going to take less than Armstead? You prove that you are the best, then go get best type money.

 

[El Caliente]

I’m with you, if I were him I would want to be paid more. However, I would also be aware that the team holds the cards in this one.

I would love to have Howard on this team, just not at his price, or giving up what the Dolphins would want for him.

 

[SystemShock]

I’m not saying that he isn’t better than Jones, I’m just saying this is the 2nd time (in 3 years) Howard has gone public about wanting a new contract.

What's the big deal?

 

[SAINTSFAN]

I prefer having a devil for 3 years instead of none altogether after this year.

If he is not happy with his contract in Miami, why would he be happy with it here?

 

[saint_drago]

It’s not a Howard problem, it’s a Dolphins problem. They had no business signing Jones to that contract. I can’t see how they thought that was a good idea!?!? Did they not foresee this as a problem?

So the Dolphins were wrong for bringing in another good Corner because they already had a good Corner? So you think they should've passed on Byron Jones just so Howard wouldn't get in his feelins? Lol what?

The market was one way in 2019 when the Dolphins made Howard the highest paid Corner in the league. The market was different a year later when they made Jones the highest paid Corner in the league. Seems like the Dolphins wanted to have a great Corner tandem to try to be better at defending passes. Sorry for partying?

I can't fault them for going for it now that the AFC East is wide open.

 

[WhoDat_SB44]

We need another top corner, so let’s make it happen. Bring him in for a year and then figure out what to do with him & Latt next season. Looks like Richard Sherman took his name out of consideration. We absolutely need to bring in someone to start opposite of Latt and fill in for him as well.

We good in the nickel & dime as well as backup safeties with CGJ, PRob, and PJ. If we add Howard to go with Latt, Adebo, Crawley, Washington, and those other 3 give us some serious depth & competition at corner.

 

[jasonsw]

I say you find a way to make a deal for Howard. Then next step is to find a way to pay both Lattimore and Howard. Excellent CBs are hard to find and N.O will field a fierce pass defense with those 2 on the field. Those two in turn will help improve the pass rush.

Also if you have Lattimore and Howard under contract long-term, N.O can focus on drafting pass rushers and LBers. This will help keep the front end of the defense cheap

 

[Colin311]

Howard is a top 5 CB. If you can get him, you do whatever it takes to do so especially at a position of need. We don't have to worry about Lattimore next season cause we will wind up tagging him anyway. I feel Marcus Williams walks after the season cause he will price himself out of our range. Sign Howard to a new deal, lock up CGJ and draft a safety rather high in the next 2 drafts while we still have Jenkins. I'd give up a 1st for Howard.

 

[Taker597]

If he is not happy with his contract in Miami, why would he be happy with it here?

If all he wants is his contract to be fully gtd.... That's an easy fix. Miami already paid half.