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Saints Retain Henderson, Stecker;
Ax MLB Simmons
Territorial war with TB over Stecker, Henderson
apparently ends in Saints' favor; Randall Gay visits Saturday
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RB Aaron Stecker |
posted March 1, 2008 - print
me!
neworleansprofootball.com
Stung by the departure of Jeff Faine to Tampa Bay for crazy money,
the Saints are apparently determined not to allow any further
defections to the Buccaneers.
When Tampa Bay called for WR Devery Henderson and RB Aaron Stecker,
one a Buc-slayer and one a former Buc himself, the Saints stepped
up to the plate and re-signed both on the second day of free agency.
The Saints have yet to sign a new free agent, though they added
MLB Jonathan Vilma in a trade, but have instead focused on retaining
a number of their own. Offensive role-players Henderson and Stecker
are the latest to stay put.
Speedster Henderson, who will be 26 later this month, a second
round pick in 2004 out of LSU, has had his problems with consistent
catching and route-running. He has had more than four catches
in a game only once. The 5'11, 200 pound deep threat has 74 career
catches and 12 total touchdowns, one on a rushing attempt in the
Saints' post-Katrina home opener, but has been underwhelming as
a starting receiver.
Similar to 2007 first round pick Robert Meachem, Henderson played
little as a rookie, in part thanks to an ill-advised training
camp holdout. Henderson appeared in only one game as a rookie
with no receptions. In 2006 he blossomed as a deep threat for
Drew Brees, averaging over 23 yards per catch with 745 yards on
only 32 catches. Henderson started nine games this past year,
five of which he finished with one or no catches. In his last
three games against Tampa Bay, Henderson has three touchdowns
on four catches. He met with the Bucs on Friday.
Henderson's contract terms are as yet unknown.
Stecker, who will be 33 in November, is a reliable and versatile
runningback whom the Saints signed away from Tampa Bay in 2004.
A talented special teamer, Stecker also has filled in admirably
when called upon to start for the Saints due to injuries to Deuce
McAllister and this past season when both McAllister and Reggie
Bush were out.
After four years with the Bucs and tours in NFL Europe that earned
him legendary status with the Scottish Claymores, Stecker arrived
in New Orleans and promptly returned a kickoff for a touchdown
against his old team. Tampa Bay only this year returned its first
kickoff return for a touchdown in franchise history. Stecker's
touchdown in Tampa Bay was a highlight reel play when the opening
kickoff went through his hands and bounced behind him near the
goal line. He recovered and following his blockers, returned it
98 yards for the score. The Saints won the game 21-17.
Stecker reportedly received a one-year, $1.4 million deal from
the Saints and while it was similar to an offer from the Bucs,
Stecker preferred to stay put.
Simmons Cut: As we predicted with little effort yesterday,
the Saints with newly-resigned Marc Simoneau and newly-acquired
Vilma on the roster had little need for veteran MLB Brian Simmons.
A free agent bust from last year's signing class, Simmons had
far less in the tank left than the Saints anticipated when the
signed him to a three-year contract one year less five days ago.
Simmons had a great Week 10 game in a loss to St. Louis with eight
total tackles and a sack, but otherwise collected no more than
two solo tackles in a single game in 2007.
Simmons was due a base salary of $3.3 million, more than both
Simoneau and Vilma combined in 2008.
Randall Gay In: The Saints hosted Randall Gay on Saturday
in New Orleans but no word on a contract. Gay is scheduled to
visit with Tampa Bay on Monday. Should the Saints want the former
LSU star, undrafted rookie Super Bowl starter and New England
Patriot, they need to wrap him up to a deal before he goes to
Tampa, where money is being shot out of cannons.
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