New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Article New Orleans Saints rookies working to master nuances of NFL

Among the New Orleans Saints draft picks, first rounder Patrick Robinson is already getting extensive reps with the secondary; tight end Jimmy Graham has one spectacular catch (plus a drop and a strip) under his belt, and center Matt Tennant is due to report to camp Monday after being excused because of the death of his mother.

The others expressed satisfaction with how things have gone thus far.

Offensive tackle Charles Brown, the second-round pick out of Southern Cal, said the technique adjustments have been considerable. As a Trojan, he was more used to taking a step back in pass coverage and letting the defender come to him, but the Saints are working him in a more aggressive scheme where he pops defenders quickly and engages them immediately.

"Here it's the total opposite," he noted. "But it's going good, I'm catching on to a lot of things real quick. It started off rough because I had to learn a lot of plays and technique at the same time, but I've been staying later and talking to the other players, and I'm coming along pretty good right now."
Brown has worked chiefly with the third unit and said he sensed no change in his depth chart or short-term status with the Saints after disgruntled former starter Jammal Brown was shipped to the Redskins.

"My role was still learning plays and seeing what I can do," Brown said. "I'm still a rookie."

For sixth-round pick, former Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield, camp was a starry-eyed affair, "for the first couple of days, maybe," when he found himself on the field and comparing notes with Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. Canfield has had some rough spots - twice he has had passes tipped and intercepted - but he retains his confidence.

Defensive end Will Smith said he thinks all three quarterbacks vying for spots behind Brees on the roster have looked respectable - "I don't think these coaches would bring in a guy they didn't think could handle themselves like a quarterback," Smith said - and Canfield said that sort of attitude is crucial.
Like Brown, Canfield said mastering an offense that led the NFL last season has been a tough task.

"It is a lot," he said. "We've had three installs already and another one tonight."
Still, there isn't any question that one of the three - Patrick Ramsey, Chase Daniel and Canfield - won't be around when the regular season starts and clearly intense pressure is on those signal-callers every practice.
Coach Sean Payton said the thin margin for error is simply a fact of life.
"I think if you went around the camps right now you'd probably see competition like that," he said. "I think like any other position here there's competition and guys want to play well. So the games will help define that position."

Woods, meanwhile, appeared to define himself a bit Saturday when he picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. That might strike some as a heady moment for a rookie, but he said the Saints defenders treated it as no big deal.

"Nah, we just went on to the next play," he said. "That's kind of the way it is around here."
For him, that has in many ways been the highlight, Woods said.
"Just being here," he said. "Just getting coached by some of the great players who are here and playing with the great players who are here. I'm just learning so much and the learning curve right now is so big, but I've got to learn it all in case they need me, or keep me or whatever happens."