Saints reach agreement with DE Charles Grant (1 Viewer)

[myhousekey]

Sources: Deal could be worth as much as $63M

In a deal that locks up one of their standout young defensive ends long-term, the New Orleans Saints on Thursday reached agreement with five-year veteran Charles Grant on a new seven-year contract.

The monster deal for the left end could be worth as much as $63 million over the course of the seven years, league sources told ESPN.com, and it includes $20 million in guarantees. That includes an initial signing bonus and also a guaranteed option bonus due next spring.

Negotiated by agent Bill Johnson of Atlanta-based ProFiles Sports, Inc., the contract will pay Grant $24 million in its first three years and nearly $35 million in the first five years. In terms of structure, payout and guarantees, the contract is close to the deal that linebacker Adalius Thomas signed with New England earlier in the free-agency period. Over the past seven months, Johnson, along with partner and ProFiles founder Pat Dye Jr,, has negotiated over $100 million in new contracts.

"We've been talking on and off since they put the franchise tag on Charles ... and things really picked up the past two weeks," Johnson said. "I think everyone was anxious to get it done, and the numbers finally came together. There was no doubt that, if the deal was right, Charles wanted to stay [in New Orleans] for the long haul. He believes in what is going on there and the direction [general manager] Mickey Loomis and [head coach] Sean Payton have the franchise going."

Earlier on Thursday, the Saints officially acquired former Indianapolis cornerback Jason David when the Colts declined to match the restricted free-agent offer sheet to which New Orleans signed him last week. The Saints will surrender a fourth-round pick in this year's draft as compensation for signing David.

Grant teams with right end Will Smith, another former first-round choice, to provide the Saints one of the best outside tandems in the league.

The Saints designated Grant as a franchise player at the outset of the free-agency period, essentially by making him a one-year qualifying offer of $8.64 million. Grant is the first of the league's seven franchise players to reach a contract agreement.

Last month, Grant visited with Tampa Bay officials for two days, but the Bucs never made a contract offer. The Bucs later suggested that the visit was aimed at getting to know Grant a little better in the event he was eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring. The long-term contract now precludes that possibility.

By signing Grant to a long-term deal now, before a mid-July deadline, the Saints regain the franchise designation and can use it on another player in the future, if necessary.

A former University of Georgia standout, Grant was a first-round choice in the 2002 draft, the 25th player selected overall that year. An excellent two-way defender who always plays with a big motor and nasty temperment, Grant has appeared in 80 games, all as a starter, and has 349 tackles, 36 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one interception and 15 pass deflections.

Grant had 10 sacks in 2003 and 10½ in 2004 but slumped to only 8½ over the past two seasons and has been in Orlando much of the offseason working with noted speed coach Tom Shaw to improve his quickness.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

 

[pgreenfan]

I like Grant but man that seems like a lot of money for him.

 

[code]

 

[QUEZILLA]

I thought for sure he would be in Tampa next season. DL is starting to be like the OL, where the big names are rarely going to sniff FA.

 

[jchap31]

As a Saints fan, I am glad they got this done. His sack stats don't show it but he's an excellent run defender. Most of the big runs given up last year were up the gut right at Brian Young. If there's a weak link in the D-line, it's Young. Now if they would just draft DT Justin Harrell at 27...

 

[patrickmcgroin]

No telling what Peppers will want when the time comes....

 

[Jene Bramel]

As a Saints fan, I am glad they got this done. His sack stats don't show it but he's an excellent run defender. Most of the big runs given up last year were up the gut right at Brian Young. If there's a weak link in the D-line, it's Young. Now if they would just draft DT Justin Harrell at 27...

Grant is one of the top five strong side 4-3 ends in the league now -- right up there with Trevor Pryce and Michael Strahan. Tamba Hali is pushing his way into that discussion, too.I don't think you can blame everything on Young, though. The lack of any kind of MLB to plug those gaps was just as damaging to the run defense.

 

[Sidewinder]

...I don't think you can blame everything on Young, though. The lack of any kind of MLB to plug those gaps was just as damaging to the run defense.

Exactly. Simoneau was horrible in run support last year. And while Brian Simmons is obviously not the long-term answer, he's certainly an upgrade for 2007 and maybe 2008.

 

[guderian]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

 

[saintfool]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

i have to agree. this is another good sign for the team. it's a lot of money, regardless, but not really that much more than we are paying will smith. inflation, being what it is, aligns this to the current market. he's a great 2-way defender. it's clear that benson has opened up his wallet with payton and loomis running the show.

 

[Thom Yorke]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

 

[hamster_13]

No telling what Peppers will want when the time comes....

Rumor on the list I subscribe to is that his agent and him want the biggest contract, ever.

 

[psychobillies]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

The Saints are very quietly having one of the better off seasons in the league. Grant is an outstanding player, and this is a great contract for the Saints.Sorry Tampa, get your own DE.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

No telling what Peppers will want when the time comes....

Rumor on the list I subscribe to is that his agent and him want the biggest contract, ever.

$100,000,000.00 over about 8 seasons.

 

[gzilla]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

The Saints are very quietly having one of the better off seasons in the league.

Saints fan here, but I don't agree with that.It's been pretty quiet. This move helps.

 

[scotty34]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

The Saints are very quietly having one of the better off seasons in the league.

Saints fan here, but I don't agree with that.It's been pretty quiet. This move helps.

I wouldn't say things have been "pretty quiet"....They signed Simmons and KK from Cincy. Simmons will start in the middle while KK will add some depth/flexibility. Eric Johnson, if healthy, will be a major upgrade at TE (it opens the door for Olsen to be drafted, though he likely doesn't slip). Jason David will start at CB, look at his stats going into last year and compare them to Samuels...almost a mirror image of each others. Let's hope this is the year David breaks out. Re-signing Stinch earlier and now Grant keeps their lins intact. The offseason has not been LOUD but it's been far from quiet. Loomis and Payton are a great combo.

 

[psychobillies]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

The Saints are very quietly having one of the better off seasons in the league.

Saints fan here, but I don't agree with that.It's been pretty quiet. This move helps.

I wouldn't say things have been "pretty quiet"....They signed Simmons and KK from Cincy. Simmons will start in the middle while KK will add some depth/flexibility. Eric Johnson, if healthy, will be a major upgrade at TE (it opens the door for Olsen to be drafted, though he likely doesn't slip). Jason David will start at CB, look at his stats going into last year and compare them to Samuels...almost a mirror image of each others. Let's hope this is the year David breaks out. Re-signing Stinch earlier and now Grant keeps their lins intact. The offseason has not been LOUD but it's been far from quiet. Loomis and Payton are a great combo.

They signed starters at DE, DT, MLB, SS, CB, RT, TE and possibly WR in David Patten. All of the contracts have been good cap friendly contracts. They have also signed players for depth. I'm not sure how anyone can describe this off season as "quiet'.Loomis is starting to look like one of the top GMs in the game. Every year he fills need positions before the draft so that he will be able to draft BPA. That is a good formula for long term success in the NFL. I know some won't agree, but firing Mueller and putting Loomis in has turned out pretty well.

 

[ATC1]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

Coupled with the Jason David signing, today was a very good day.

The Saints are very quietly having one of the better off seasons in the league.

Saints fan here, but I don't agree with that.It's been pretty quiet. This move helps.

I wouldn't say things have been "pretty quiet"....They signed Simmons and KK from Cincy. Simmons will start in the middle while KK will add some depth/flexibility. Eric Johnson, if healthy, will be a major upgrade at TE (it opens the door for Olsen to be drafted, though he likely doesn't slip). Jason David will start at CB, look at his stats going into last year and compare them to Samuels...almost a mirror image of each others. Let's hope this is the year David breaks out. Re-signing Stinch earlier and now Grant keeps their lins intact. The offseason has not been LOUD but it's been far from quiet. Loomis and Payton are a great combo.

I love being able to retain everyone from the team last year. Shows that everyone is happy in the organization. Something Saints fans have not been able to say in a long time.

 

[scotty34]

I remember when Loomis was hired. Alot of people criticized this move...that he did not have the experience, was a Benson "yes man" etc . But he really has proved his worth especially in the last two offseasons. He and Payton seem to be on the same page and they are making some great moves. Glad to see Benson open up the pocket book and give control to these guys as we know Tommy's not coming up with these great moves.

 

[saintfool]

I remember when Loomis was hired. Alot of people criticized this move...that he did not have the experience, was a Benson "yes man" etc . But he really has proved his worth especially in the last two offseasons. He and Payton seem to be on the same page and they are making some great moves. Glad to see Benson open up the pocket book and give control to these guys as we know Tommy's not coming up with these great moves.

i remember the knock on loomis early on was how he was a "bean counter". he's been adept at managing the salary cap thusfar and, along with payton, very cagey about FA aquisitions. i'm a very happy saints fan these days.

 

[Sidewinder]

Sounds like it's really a 5-year deal for $35 million. Not bad with the franchise tag where it is. Their entire starting offense is signed through next year and all of the key players are signed longer term. It's a good time to be a Saints fan.

... it's a lot of money, regardless, but not really that much more than we are paying will smith. ...

It's a heck of a lot more. Will Smith is still on his rookie contract, and it was nowhere near 5 yrs $35 mil.

 

[Saints-Man]

I remember when Loomis was hired. Alot of people criticized this move...that he did not have the experience, was a Benson "yes man" etc . But he really has proved his worth especially in the last two offseasons. He and Payton seem to be on the same page and they are making some great moves. Glad to see Benson open up the pocket book and give control to these guys as we know Tommy's not coming up with these great moves.

I think it is a case of him growing into the job. It is difficult to know how much influence the coach is weilding, but I got the impression that Haslett weilded some influence over the draft and free agent acquisitions. In hindsight, his influence wasn't good. Maybe it is just a case that Loomis and Payton are more on the same page when it comes to talent evaluation and acquistion.