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Saints rookie cornerbacks Usama Young and David Jones played football at small colleges, but they believe they can line up and compete in the NFL

Wednesday, June 13, 2007
By Jimmy Smith

It's safe to say that Saints rookie cornerbacks Usama Young of Kent State and David Jones of Wingate have not faced opposing quarterbacks the caliber of those they'll see in New Orleans' first three regular-season games.

That would be the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jeff Garcia and Tennessee Titans' Vince Young.

Despite the fact that Young, the Saints' second-round draft choice, and Jones, a fifth-round pick, have come into the NFL carrying the stigma of playing against small-school competition, both believe they have what it takes to play in the league.

"There's been a lot of criticism along the way because I'm from a small school," said Jones, who shined at Wingate, a university of about 1,700 students near Charlotte, N.C. "I'm sure it's the same with Usama. But it's still football, wherever you go. You're going to have your good athletes, you're going to have your average athletes, and you're going to have guys that take the game as seriously as the next one.

"Football is football, whether you're from a Division I college or from a Division III. No matter where you come from, it's still the same game."

It is that type of attitude that has served Jones and Young well as they go through the Saints' organized team activities, rookie camp and the mandatory three-day minicamp at Airline Drive.

It appeared as though neither player was awed by the competition during the full-squad minicamp, going against All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees, who last season led the league in completion percentage and was the NFL's third-rated passer.

"I haven't been overwhelmed," Young said. "I'm just learning as fast as I can. There's a lot more coverages, a lot more to think about even before you go to practice. And we're getting more and more schemes every day."

Young and Jones are both 6 feet and almost identical in weight (Young 198, Jones 196). They've been roommates since they arrived in New Orleans before last month's rookie camp, testing each other on what they've learned in the meeting room as well as on the field.

"They're making normal progress," Saints defensive backs coach Tom Hayes said. "There's a lot to learn, as you know. It's two different games, college football to pro football -- and they know that. And they're struggling at times, but they're getting better. I see some progress, but they've got a long way to go. They've got a lot to do.

"They've got size and skill. We've just got to get it out of them, so we can see them produce and become productive players. If they keep working and have a good attitude like they have now, they'll have a chance to get there."

Both players exhibited good coverage skills, as well as catch-up speed.

"The pace is a lot faster," Young said. "And I'm just continuously learning . . . the tempo of the game. You come out of the huddle, the offense lines up, and you're ready to go. They're motioning every play, trying to get the different coverages on every play. You try not to think a lot, but just play as fast as possible."

Said Jones: "I wouldn't say it's difficult, but it's an adjustment period. The whole thing is a learning process. I'm just taking it day by day, stride by stride."