A Different Darren on the Cowboys' Radar?

by blueandsilverreport on Mar 11, 2005 5:48 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

The New Orleans Saints are shopping franchised DE Darren Howard and Dallas is one of his potential destinations. The Saints asking price is said to be as little as a second round pick or as much as a first and second. The Saints have a logjam at DE and team officials are eager to find playing time for Will Smith, who earned All-Rookie honors with 7.5 sacks.

Howard ranked 11th in the NFL last year with 11 sacks, though he missed three games with a neck injury and played defensive tackle in passing situations.

For any trade to be consumated both Howard and the team acquiring him will want a long-term deal agreed upon beforehand. Even though the franchise tender for a DE -- the average pay of the top 5 DEs -- is $6.7 million, Howard would count just a fraction of that figure against the cap in the first year ('05) of any long-term deal. In other words, Howard can sign a long-term, big money contract without wiping out the 'Boys remaining cap space.

Howard has the size, versatility and unselfish attitude that Parcells loves, and he's one of the best pass rushers in the league. First and a second is a pretty steep price in terms of draft picks but Howard is one of the few players I'd consider spending that much for. Anything less is a steal. If there's any shred of truth to this rumor, Git-R-Done, Jerry!

Update: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Cowboys have emerged as the leading candidate to acquire DE Darren Howard. The Cowboys have been granted permission to negotiate a long term extension with Howard's agent, though another unnamed team also has that right. The Cowboys are one of at least seven teams pursuing Howard. The Saints are reportedly interested in one of Dallas' two first round draft picks in trade.

A trade for Howard could chill speculation that the Cowboys will switch to a 3-4 defense next year, unless the team deals one of its current linemen.

Update II: The Dallas Morning News is reporting Friday night that talks between the Cowboys and Saints have intensified, and that Dallas could send ILB Dat Nguyen and its second round pick, the 42nd overall, to New Orleans for DE Darren Howard.

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My feeling is that compensation works for both teams, it’s a matter of getting Howard to agree to a contract.

At this point my concern would be… who plays LB? With Coakley and Nguyen both gone who does that leave? James is the guy that Parcells was calling out all off season only to have him fail to grab the spot he was being given.

I have to believe Dallas has some plan to replace those guys with serviceable replacements but at this point, other than the draft, where would you get someone? There’s some FA’s out there but Dallas still has needs in too many places to sign any of the “name” guys. And with Howard likely demanding the biggest payday yet, how much room will be there to sign someone?

Lots of questions for me… man I love the off season.

by Don S. on Mar 12, 2005 6:33 AM CST reply actions

I love this trade because dallas would have a MONSTER d -line especially if they stay in a 4-3. They could have Ellis, Glover, Ferguson, and Howard. I would still miss the explosiveness of Dat Nguyen , but hey we got 2 first round picks. We missed out on sharper lets not lose this one.

Get-r-done Jerry !

by Eric on Mar 12, 2005 5:30 PM CST reply actions

You guys are crazy. Look I love Roy but Dat was our best defensive player last year hands down.

by mark D.C on Mar 12, 2005 9:28 PM CST reply actions

Hands down? I don’t think so. Glover and Ellis were both much better than Dat in ‘04. None of the linebackers played well last year, and Nguyen’s regression was the most disappointing because he had made such a big jump forwards in 2003. But let’s assume Dat goes back to his 2003 level next year. He’s still a good but not great MLB. Would you rate his A-game above a double-digit-sack DE? I wouldn’t.

by Rafael Vela on Mar 12, 2005 9:40 PM CST reply actions

According to John Clayton this trade has hit a snag for whatever reason and may not happen now. I am guessing the Saints want one of our 1st round picks and we probably don’t wanna give it up but I’m just speculating. I would be ALL OVER this for dat and a 2nd but they probably realized they were getting hosed!

by scott on Mar 12, 2005 11:29 PM CST reply actions

Why get him, Courtney Brown just became avaible, go after him. hes’ still young, and is in good shape even after a missed time.. a change could be good for him and he won’t count that much against the cap. there is also a Saftey still aval. lets get rolling, so MY Madden 2005 Roster can be upgraded so I can kick so butts.

by cbt778 on Mar 14, 2005 7:50 PM CST reply actions

we should give up glover to get this howard, then switch to the 3-4. Look how far the steelers got last year!! It would not bet that big pf a loss. We would wreck with Dat at mlb and Roy in the backfield.

by mcgavin on Mar 19, 2005 9:26 PM CST reply actions