New Orleans Saints agree to 5-year deal with free agent offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune February 28, 2009 11:38AM
Categories: Saints
The Saints locked up another top free agent, agreeing to a five-year deal with right tackle Jon Stinchcomb on Saturday.
By re-signing both Stinchcomb and linebacker Jonathan Vilma over the first two days of free agency, the Saints now have all 22 starters on offense and defense back from last season, and they will still attempt to add an upgrade or two before the free-agent signing period is over.
We'll get some reaction from Stinchcomb soon, so stay tuned for updates. Here's what General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton had to say in the Saints' statement on the deal:
"Jon has been a real good player for us since cracking the starting lineup in 2006," said Loomis. "He has become a respected leader on our team, not only on the field but off the field as well."
"Jon is a smart and dedicated player. He excels in the meeting room, in the weight room and on the field and we are pleased to have him back," Payton said. "He is a player you can count on. This signing will ensure that the foundation we have created with our offensive line stays in place."
Stinchcomb, 29, has started every game for the Saints at right tackle since he earned the starting job during training camp in 2006. A standout player off the field as well, he was named the Saints' Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2008.
He reportedly received significant interest from other teams around the league, but he said the Saints had the "edge" heading into free agency, assuming their contract offer was in the right ballpark.
http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/02/new_orleans_saints_agree_to_5y.html
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