Quote:
Originally Posted by O.city
Are any of you guys a little afraid of signing a DL who happens to have a career year in a contract year?
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Maybe a little.
But Howard's a guy that fought his way back from injury/irrelevance to make himself into a damn productive lunchpail kind of player. It's not like he loafed for his first 3 seasons, he was simply injured and buried on the depth chart. I don't think he turned it on for a contract push - I think he got a chance to excel and he made the most of it.
He's the kind of guy you at least make an effort to re-sign if for no other reason than the message it sends the locker room.
Howard's not a silver-spoon player. He's not a guy that's been some sure thing his whole career. He's busted his ass for several seasons to mold himself into a difference maker and you have to think some of that work ethic will remain ingrained.
Signing anyone to a long-term contract is a risk in the NFL but I think Howard is a decent risk.