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The Saints have signed 32-year old DT Rod Coleman to a 1-year deal. Coleman did not play last season as he last played in 2007 with the Falcons appearing in 5 games. He has now played in 109 games in his NFL career and he has made 269 tackles, defensed 28 passes, has 58.5 sacks, forced 10 fumbles and he has a interception that he returned for a TD. If Coleman has anything left at all this was a great signing for the Saints.
The Saints have released safety Kevin Kaesviharn after he repeatedly got toasted last season by opposing receivers. The 32-year old played in 11 games for the Saints last season and he made 64 tackles, defensed 4 passes and had 2 interceptions. He has now played in 114 games in his NFL career and he has made 464 tackles, defensed 55 passes, has 6 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and he has 17 interceptions. This will be no loss to the Saints in 2009.
The Saints have signed 31-year old safety Preston Prioleau. Prioleau played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last season in which he made 26 tackles and defensed 1 pass. He has now played in 128 games in his NFL career in which he has made 397 tackles, defensed 28 passes, has 5.5 sacks, forced 7 fumbles and he has 1 interception. Prioleau should help with depth at safety and on special teams in 2009.
The Saints did a good job last April as half of their draft picks made a good impact. It all started in the first round when the Saints selected DT Sedrick Ellis. Ellis played in 13 games (all starts) last season for the Saints and he made 30 tackles, had 4 sacks and he defensed 5 passes. Ellis could develop into a Pro Bowler in the near future as he has the power to push the pocket up the middle of the defense. CB Tracy Porter (2nd round) played very well for the Saints before his season ended due to a wrist injury. Porter played in 5 games (all starts) last season and he made 25 tackles, defensed 5 passes and had 1 interception. In the 5th round the Saints hit another home run with the selection of OG Carl Nicks. Nicks played in 16 games (13 starts) for the Saints last season and he made a tackle. Nicks is just the latest of a long line of second day picks used on O-Linemen that have produced for the Saints. The rest of the draft didn’t show much for the Saints. 5th round pick (DT) DeMario Pressley didn’t play in 2008 as a foot injury caused him to go on Injured Reserve. Placekicker Taylor Mehlhaff (6th round) didn’t last long for the Saints. He played in 3 games for the Saints and he made 3 of 4 field goals and 9 of 10 extra points. Mehlhaff was released during the season and didn’t hook up with another team as a rookie. 7th round WR Adrian Arrington didn’t get on the field as a rookie as he spent his season on I.R. with a bad case of turf toe.
GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: B
The Saints have released 32-year old CB Mike McKenzie. McKenzie played in 7 games for the Saints last season and he made 22 tackles, defensed 3 passes and he picked off 1 pass. He finished his career with the Saints playing in 63 games (5years) in which he made 186 tackles, defensed 49 passes and he intercepted 12 passes (2 of which were returned for TDs). If McKenzie could have just stayed a little more healthy lately the Saints might have kept him another season.