The New Orleans Saints are well worth following, and you can do it better than anyone else by keeping up with us at SaintsLocker.com. Here is where you're going to find all the latest and greatest news and player profiles, stats, rankings, schedules, and everything else you're going to need to feel like you're right there in the Superdome locker room. Get tickets for the games and get great deals on Saints merchandise and apparel. If you're a betting person, you're sure to benefit form all the injury news and special commentary. If you thought getting the final score was enough, you're sadly mistaken! If you're a real football fan, just go marching in….to SaintsLocker.com!
1. (27)Â Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
3. (66)Â Usama Young, CB, Kent State
3. (88)Â Andy Alleman, OG, Akron
4. (107)Â Antonio Pittman, RB, Ohio State
4. (125)Â Jermon Bushrod, OT, Towson State
5. (145)Â David Jones, CB, Wingate
7. (220)Â Marvin Mitchell, LB, Tennessee
Â
The Saints have released veteran punter Mitch Berger who missed all of last season due to a pelvic injury. Berger had played three years with the New Orleans Saints and he did a good job for them, but the Saints were pleased with undrafted rookie Steve Weatherford. Berger has played 13 seasons in the NFL and he played in 159 games. In those 159 games Berger has punted the football 710 times for 30,680 yards (43.2 avg) and he has a net career average of 35.8 yards on those punts. Berger has placed 227 punts inside the opposing 20 yard line (32%) and he’s never been blocked. If he proves he’s healthy someone will give him another chance to kick the ball. Steve Weatherford had a good rookie season for the Saints. He played in all 16 games and he punted the ball 77 times for 3,369 yards (43.8 avg) with a 37.5 net average. He does need to improve on his placement of punts as he’s only placed 19 of 77 (24.7%) inside the opposing 20 yard line.
The Saints signed Jason David to a 4 year-$15.6 million dollar offer sheet last week and the Indianapolis Colts have declined to match it. David played in all 16 games last season for the Colts and he made 55 tackles, had 2 interceptions, defensed 7 passes and recovered a fumble. David has played three seasons in the NFL for the Colts and he’s played in 48 games. In those 48 games, David has made 147 tackles, has 8 interceptions, defensed 26 passes, forced a fumble and recovered 3 fumbles. David also has returned 9 punts for 50 yards (5.6 avg). This was another great signing for the Saints as David will likely be a starter for them and an upgrade.
The Saints have re-signed Charles Grant to a 7 year contract that has $20 million dollars guaranteed in it. Grant played in all 16 games for the Saints last season and he made 64 tackles, had 6 sacks, defensed 6 passes, forced 3 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles. Over his 5 year NFL career (all with the Saints) he has played in 80 games and he’s made 298 tackles, has 36 sacks, defensed 24 passes, forced 15 fumbles and he has recovered 5 fumbles (one was returned for a TD). The Saints have once again done the right thing as they needed to retain Grant and keep him happy.
The Saints have signed OLB Trev Faulk. He didn’t play in 2006 because of an injured back. He’s a really good special teams player when healthy and he could also provide more defensive depth to the Saints. He has played in 29 games over his 4 year NFL career and he’s made 80 tackles and forced a fumble. This was another good signing from the Saints who are reloading on special teams and defense during the off season.
I have conducted a complete 7 round draft for every team in the NFL. If you want to see what I have projected for any other team in the NFL, click on the team name in the right hand margin and go to the team’s Draft Report page if you don’t see the article on the front page of the site. This was a lot of work so I hope you enjoy it.
The Saints will focus almost exclusively on the defense in the Draft in a couple of weeks. I like they will get a good haul and here’s who I think they will add to their roster:
1. (27)Â Paul Poslusny, LB, Penn State
2. (58)Â David Irons, CB, Auburn
3. (88)Â Jon Abbate, MLB, Wake Forest
4. (123)Â Kareem Brown, DT, Miami (Florida)
4. (125)Â Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
4. (126)Â Chase Pittman, DE, LSU
5. (163)Â Rory Johnson, OLB, Mississippi
7. (220)Â Jeremy Clark, DT, Alabama
Mission accomplished if they get these players in a couple of weeks. The bonus was getting the Heisman Winner of last year to groom behind Drew Brees for a while.
The Saints have signed veteran WR David Patten and TE Calen Powell. Patten was signed to a 1-year contract and he could be a good signing for the Saints. He played in 5 games last season for the Washington Redskins and he only caught 1 pass for 25 yards. Over his NFL career, Patten has played in 126 games and he’s caught 259 passes for 3,761 yards (14.5 avg) with 20 TD grabs. He also has carried the football 11 times for 111 yards (10.1 ypc) with 1 TD run. Patten could fit in nicely as the #4 or #5 WR for the Saints this season. Powell will be lucky to make the team as he doesn’t have much experience at all.
The Saints have signed reserve linebacker Troy Evans to a 2-year contract. He played in all 16 games for the Houston Texans last season and he made 14 tackles. He’s a good special teams player and adds depth to the Saints linebacking corps.
The Saints have released John Carney after acquiring Olindo Mare a few days ago. Carney did a good job for the Saints last season as he nailed 23 of 25 (92%) field goals and he hit 46 of 47 extra points. But, the Saints wanted to move on with a younger kicker with a strong leg and Olindo Mare is exactly that guy.
The Saints have re-signed Rodney Leisle to a 1-year contract. He played in 14 games with the Saints last season and he made 16 tackles and recovered a fumble. Leisle will provide solid depth along the interior of the defensive line for the Saints this season.