Jason David
 

METAIRIE, La. --New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston towered over newly acquired Jason David at the line of scrimmage in the cornerback's first team session this week.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Colston looked down at David, a 5-8, 180-pound cornerback. It's a problem David has to overcome every time he stares across the line at a bigger, more physical pass catcher.

"I kind of feel like a rookie all over again and that's in all cases," David said. "I come in here to play and I've got something to prove. As far as the playbook goes, it's a lot different than what I'm accustomed to and what we ran in Indianapolis. I've got to get used to the language and the terminology around here."

The former Indianapolis Colts cornerback squared off against quarterback Peyton Manning along with wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in preparation for their next opponent.

Facing Colston and Saints quarterback Drew Brees on a daily basis for the next few seasons can only help David's maturation.

"It's the NFL," David said. "Every team is going to have some great receivers. Going against those guys every day has made me a better player. I've learned how to work hard playing with those versatile guys. You've got to go hard in practice every day. I'm going to try to bring this to this defense."

The Saints are hoping David delivers after the team shelled out $16.5 million and a fourth-round pick in April's draft to land a three-year starter who was a restricted free agent with the current Super Bowl champions.

David said no promises have been made by Saints management as to when he'll jump into the starting lineup.

Last year's starters Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas took the field with the first unit to kickoff OTAs this week. David played alongside Jason Craft with the second unit in his opening practice in New Orleans.

But look at the contracts and it's easy to assume who will be the starter between David and Thomas. The maligned Thomas was forced to take a 25 percent pay cut to remain with the Saints and is in the final year of his contract.

Add Thomas' troubles that began midway through the regular season and were more prevalent in the playoffs, and David could be on the field sooner rather than later.

"I'm just going to do what I'm asked to do," David said. "It's a different situation to where I was. Coming into Indianapolis as a rookie, I kind of got thrown in there. These guys we have here, we've got some older guys.

"If I could just learn from them and become a better player and at the same time compete for my job, that's going to make everybody better."

McKenzie and Thomas combined for 11 interceptions during the last three seasons, while David picked off eight passes alone for the Colts in his first three years in the league. Other competition lurks for McKenzie and Thomas after the Saints drafted cornerbacks Usama Young and David Jones.

"Regardless of where I'm at, if I'm playing football, I'm going to have a good time," David said. "Being in New Orleans and around this team is better than I thought. I'm just trying to learn the playbook and keep rolling.

"The faster I learn the playbook, the faster I'll play."

http://www.sunherald.com/sports/story/61018.html

great attitude! Can't wait to see him as a starter.

All great things are measured to GOLD.

Not only was he motivated, but he also seemed to be very well spoken. Ditto on congratulating Payton for bringing in mature and intelligent players.

The more i read on these two guys the better I feel. Still debating if the kid coming in the draft from Georgia would be a good pick up? MM is a FA in 2010. I wonder if David can do some safety work also.