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Saints Sign Charles Grant to 7-Year Contract
by Doug Miller, NewOrleansSaints.com
Friday, April 27, 2007 - 6:00 PM
The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have signed defensive end Charles Grant to a seven-year contract. The announcement was made by Saints' Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.
"We are excited about getting this long-term contract done with Charles," said Loomis. "We have high expectations not only for our team but also for Charles and we look forward to having him make a steady impact on our defense for many years to come."
Grant, a 6-3, 290-pound product of the University of Georgia, was originally selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the 25th overall pick. The native of Colquitt, Ga. has started 68-of-80 games and has never missed a game during his pro career while amassing 357 career tackles, 36 sacks for -233.5 yards, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 18 passes defensed.
Grant, who was designated as the Saints' franchise player in February, is entering his sixth NFL season in 2007. In 2006, Grant was integral part of the Saints' defensive success, starting all 16 games at left defensive end and teamed with fellow defensive end Will Smith to form the backbone of the club's pass-rushing efforts. He collected six sacks, leading the team's defensive linemen with 71 tackles, while also adding three forced fumbles, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
Heading into the 2007 NFL season, Grant needs four sacks to move into the top 10 on the Saints' all-time sack list and would pass former DE Bruce Clark (39.5, 1981-1993). By signing Grant to a contract before a mid-July deadline, the Saints regain the franchise designation and can use it on another player in the future, if the team elects to do so.
The re-signing of Grant becomes the latest transaction in what has been a busy offseason for the defending NFC South champions. The team re-signed 2006 starters OLB Scott Shanle, WR Terrance Copper, T Jon Stinchcomb and DT Hollis Thomas along with key contributors DT Antwan Lake, TE Billy Miller, S Jay Bellamy and DT Rodney Leisle. The Saints also signed free agent LBs Brian Simmons, Trev Faulk and Troy Evans, S Kevin Kaesviharn, TE Eric Johnson, WR David Patten, traded for K Olindo Mare and signed restricted free agent CB Jason David to an offer sheet.
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