Darren done in New Orleans?

Mr. Laz · 12-15-2005, 03:06 PM

Howard likely done in New Orleans

Benched DE says chance he'll return is 'zero'

Thursday, December 15, 2005
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

SAN ANTONIO -- Defensive end Darren Howard's six-year career with the Saints appears to have come to an abrupt conclusion.

Saints coach Jim Haslett said Howard would not play again this season because of an injured right knee, thereby giving coaches and personnel officials a better chance to evaluate rookie defensive end Jimmy Verdon, a seventh-round pick from Arizona State.

Howard, who's making a base salary of $7.8 million as the team's franchise player this season, was inactive for Monday night's 36-17 loss to Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

"This is not a discipline problem with Darren whatsoever," Haslett said. "We have an opportunity to play a young kid (Verdon), who I think is going to be a good player. Darren probably won't be back with us next year because of salary-cap reasons, and it's an opportunity to step up and play a young guy."

Howard's contract expires after the season.

Howard, 29, said he has no plans to re-sign with the Saints and would "quit" if team officials prevented him from testing free agency by making him a franchise player for a third consecutive year.

Asked his chances of being with the Saints in 2006, Howard replied: "Zero."

"The bottom line is this situation has nothing to do with Darren Howard's knee," Howard said. "This is all about Darren Howard and the New Orleans Saints not growing with each other. That's the bottom line. I've played on this knee the last three seasons.

"If I'm going to be inactive the rest of the season, there's no point in me to keep pounding on it. I go out there like a warrior every week, and I play on it and I practice on it. There's no reason for me to do that anymore."

Howard, the first pick under Haslett and the 33rd overall selection in the 2000 draft, has missed 12 starts because of injuries since the start of the 2003 season.

He ranks among the club's top 10 leaders in sacks with 44 ½, including 3 ½ this season. He started nine games and made 41 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Team officials unsuccessfully attempted to trade Howard to the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 2005 draft. He was chosen the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Buffalo in Week 4. He had two sacks, forced a fumble and defended a pass in the Saints' 19-7 victory.

"I was upset at first when (Haslett) told me of his plans to deactivate me," Howard said. "I've calmed down a lot since then. Now after looking at the situation and knowing the situation we're in right now, if that's what he wants to do, fine.

"I'm kind of torn because I want to play. At the same time, it isn't smart for me to play, especially after the guy wants to deactivate me for the last four games. That's where we're sitting right now."

Hammock Parties · 12-15-2005, 03:08 PM

Jared Allen and Darren Howard.

YES!

ChiefsGirl · 12-15-2005, 03:09 PM

I love when players speak in third person.

sedated · 12-15-2005, 03:10 PM

would be a nice addition, but King Carl will probably give Hugh Douglas $10 million

chagrin · 12-15-2005, 03:14 PM

Chagrin believes that Darren Howard would be a nice addition the the KC Defensive line.

After writing that Chagrin has determined that only Bob Dole should post like this on Chiefs Planet...sorry guys

**morphius** · 12-15-2005, 03:14 PM

The Saints have sooo many issues. They really need to dumb Haslet, and SOON.

KCChiefsMan · 12-15-2005, 03:18 PM

he definately needs to come to KC if he can stay healthy, Jared Allen and Darren Howard on opposite ends? Sims would probably have the break-out season if that happened

DO IT CARL.....DO IT

Cormac · 12-15-2005, 04:32 PM

yeah, ho-hum, dammit carl and stuff.......neeext.

chiefsfaninNC · 12-15-2005, 05:10 PM

Hell no. Too much money. Aging player already having injury problems.

phxchief · 12-15-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfaninNC

Hell no. Too much money. Aging player already having injury problems.

Good spin.

Everyone's aging. Everyone has little nicks (he has NO substantial injury history to my knowledge).

He's 29 (same as Pat Surtain iirc) and he's a Pro Bowl caliber player.

I agree with the overpaid part.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-15-2005, 05:31 PM

chiefsfaninNC · 12-15-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phxchief

Good spin.

Everyone's aging. Everyone has little nicks (he has NO substantial injury history to my knowledge).

He's 29 (same as Pat Surtain iirc) and he's a Pro Bowl caliber player.

I agree with the overpaid part.

He has missed 12 games in the last 2 seasons. Sounds like Kendrell Bell to me. Patrick Surtain isn't the greatest FA to compare him with either. Pat hasn't been the impact player we all hoped for.

Brock · 12-15-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfaninNC

Patrick Surtain isn't the greatest FA to compare him with either. Pat hasn't been the impact player we all hoped for.

Couldn't disagree more.

chiefsfaninNC · 12-15-2005, 05:44 PM

He has more dropped INT's than he has caught. His coverage is damn near as loose as McCleon. His run support is great, but he lets receivers behind him too early. He is better than what we had, but I am not happy. Perhaps I was spoiled with Hasty and Carter.

Mr. Laz · 12-15-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfaninNC

He has more dropped INT's than he has caught. His coverage is damn near as loose as McCleon. His run support is great, but he lets receivers behind him too early. He is better than what we had, but I am not happy. Perhaps I was spoiled with Hasty and Carter.

i think your memories of james hasty are a little sugar coated.

Hasty played a loose/keep-the-WR-in-front-of-you type coverage as well.

12-15-2005, 03:06 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Darren done in New Orleans? Howard likely done in New Orleans Benched DE says chance he'll return is 'zero' Thursday, December 15, 2005 By Brian Allee-Walsh Staff writer SAN ANTONIO -- Defensive end Darren Howard's six-year career with the Saints appears to have come to an abrupt conclusion. Saints coach Jim Haslett said Howard would not play again this season because of an injured right knee, thereby giving coaches and personnel officials a better chance to evaluate rookie defensive end Jimmy Verdon, a seventh-round pick from Arizona State. Howard, who's making a base salary of $7.8 million as the team's franchise player this season, was inactive for Monday night's 36-17 loss to Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. "This is not a discipline problem with Darren whatsoever," Haslett said. "We have an opportunity to play a young kid (Verdon), who I think is going to be a good player. Darren probably won't be back with us next year because of salary-cap reasons, and it's an opportunity to step up and play a young guy." Howard's contract expires after the season. Howard, 29, said he has no plans to re-sign with the Saints and would "quit" if team officials prevented him from testing free agency by making him a franchise player for a third consecutive year. Asked his chances of being with the Saints in 2006, Howard replied: "Zero." "The bottom line is this situation has nothing to do with Darren Howard's knee," Howard said. "This is all about Darren Howard and the New Orleans Saints not growing with each other. That's the bottom line. I've played on this knee the last three seasons. "If I'm going to be inactive the rest of the season, there's no point in me to keep pounding on it. I go out there like a warrior every week, and I play on it and I practice on it. There's no reason for me to do that anymore." Howard, the first pick under Haslett and the 33rd overall selection in the 2000 draft, has missed 12 starts because of injuries since the start of the 2003 season. He ranks among the club's top 10 leaders in sacks with 44 ½, including 3 ½ this season. He started nine games and made 41 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Team officials unsuccessfully attempted to trade Howard to the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 2005 draft. He was chosen the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Buffalo in Week 4. He had two sacks, forced a fumble and defended a pass in the Saints' 19-7 victory. "I was upset at first when (Haslett) told me of his plans to deactivate me," Howard said. "I've calmed down a lot since then. Now after looking at the situation and knowing the situation we're in right now, if that's what he wants to do, fine. "I'm kind of torn because I want to play. At the same time, it isn't smart for me to play, especially after the guy wants to deactivate me for the last four games. That's where we're sitting right now."
Posts: 95,626

12-15-2005, 03:08 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	Jared Allen and Darren Howard. YES! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,692

12-15-2005, 03:09 PM	#3
ChiefsGirl Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Addison, TX Casino cash: $10004900	I love when players speak in third person.
Posts: 865

12-15-2005, 03:14 PM	#5
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missoula, Mt Casino cash: $9914905	Chagrin believes that Darren Howard would be a nice addition the the KC Defensive line. After writing that Chagrin has determined that only Bob Dole should post like this on Chiefs Planet...sorry guys __________________ Times have changed, so have I, things are better now.
Posts: 13,394

12-15-2005, 03:14 PM	#6
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6965027	The Saints have sooo many issues. They really need to dumb Haslet, and SOON.
Posts: 25,966

12-15-2005, 03:18 PM	#7
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $10004900	he definately needs to come to KC if he can stay healthy, Jared Allen and Darren Howard on opposite ends? Sims would probably have the break-out season if that happened DO IT CARL.....DO IT
Posts: 11,478

12-15-2005, 04:32 PM	#8
Cormac Haley sceptic.... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: waiting it out....... Casino cash: $10004900	yeah, ho-hum, dammit carl and stuff.......neeext.
Posts: 2,406

12-15-2005, 05:10 PM	#9
chiefsfaninNC Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Greensboro NC Casino cash: $10004900	Hell no. Too much money. Aging player already having injury problems.
Posts: 941

12-15-2005, 05:31 PM	#11
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2666966	__________________ http://www.goemaw.com
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12-15-2005, 05:44 PM	#14
chiefsfaninNC Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Greensboro NC Casino cash: $10004900	He has more dropped INT's than he has caught. His coverage is damn near as loose as McCleon. His run support is great, but he lets receivers behind him too early. He is better than what we had, but I am not happy. Perhaps I was spoiled with Hasty and Carter.
Posts: 941