Coaching session notes (Cie up to 245lbs)

Danno · 05-19-2004, 07:17 AM

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...0193259460.xml

Excerpts...
"I've hardly had any injuries before," Grant said. "My knee is fine. It is mostly mental. Getting the (doctor's) nod let me know, no matter what, push through."

Grant needs to be 100 percent. The competition for the starting middle linebacker position is expected to be one of the most competitive battles of the offseason. Five-year veteran Orlando Ruff has the advantage of experience. Rookie Courtney Watson, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, has impressed coaches with his aptitude and leadership qualities.

Recognizing the opportunity at hand, Grant reported to the camp six weeks before the rest of the roster to work with linebackers coach Winston Moss and learn the complexities of the position. He also used the time to increase his strength and body weight to 245 pounds.
Grant said he's also eager to end the criticism his position group has endured throughout the offseason.

"We take it personal," Grant said. "We had a young linebacker corps this past year. Other than Darrin Smith, nobody had more than five years in the league. Guys need some time to come into their own. I think after practice one, a lot of guys are showing a lot of improvement. It's going to be up to us to quiet the critics about our play."

NOTABLE ABSENCES: Veteran cornerback Ashley Ambrose and rookies Will Smith and Rodney Leslie were the only players among the 84 under contract who missed Tuesday's workout. Ambrose had permission to miss time because of personal reasons, Haslett said. Because of NFL rules, Smith and Leslie can't report until their classes graduate later this summer. Defensive ends Darren Howard (wrist) and Willie Whitehead (knee), safety Tebucky Jones (ankle), tight end Ernie Conwell (foot) and center LeCharles Bentley (knee) were present, but did not participate in contact drills while rehabbing injuries.

ROSTER CHANGES: Veteran wide receiver DontÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â© Stallworth worked with the first-team offense opposite Joe Horn and appears to have moved ahead of veteran Jerome Pathon in the starting lineup. Montrae Holland started at right guard. Jamar Nesbit split time with veteran Jerry Fontenot at center in Bentley's absence. With Howard, Whitehead and Will Smith out, Kenny Smith started at right defensive end.

ETC.: Veteran running back Ki-Jana Carter joined the team after signing a one-year contract. He is expected to compete for a reserve running-back spot behind Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker. . . . Rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson flashed his speed early in team drills when he blew past the secondary on a go route down the right sideline. It all went for naught, though, as the former LSU standout dropped the perfectly placed pass from Aaron Brooks near the goal line. Henderson dropped another ball later and spent extra time on the Juggs gun after practice.

05-19-2004, 07:17 AM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,653	Coaching session notes (Cie up to 245lbs) http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...0193259460.xml Excerpts... "I've hardly had any injuries before," Grant said. "My knee is fine. It is mostly mental. Getting the (doctor's) nod let me know, no matter what, push through." Grant needs to be 100 percent. The competition for the starting middle linebacker position is expected to be one of the most competitive battles of the offseason. Five-year veteran Orlando Ruff has the advantage of experience. Rookie Courtney Watson, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, has impressed coaches with his aptitude and leadership qualities. Recognizing the opportunity at hand, Grant reported to the camp six weeks before the rest of the roster to work with linebackers coach Winston Moss and learn the complexities of the position. He also used the time to increase his strength and body weight to 245 pounds. Grant said he's also eager to end the criticism his position group has endured throughout the offseason. "We take it personal," Grant said. "We had a young linebacker corps this past year. Other than Darrin Smith, nobody had more than five years in the league. Guys need some time to come into their own. I think after practice one, a lot of guys are showing a lot of improvement. It's going to be up to us to quiet the critics about our play." NOTABLE ABSENCES: Veteran cornerback Ashley Ambrose and rookies Will Smith and Rodney Leslie were the only players among the 84 under contract who missed Tuesday's workout. Ambrose had permission to miss time because of personal reasons, Haslett said. Because of NFL rules, Smith and Leslie can't report until their classes graduate later this summer. Defensive ends Darren Howard (wrist) and Willie Whitehead (knee), safety Tebucky Jones (ankle), tight end Ernie Conwell (foot) and center LeCharles Bentley (knee) were present, but did not participate in contact drills while rehabbing injuries. ROSTER CHANGES: Veteran wide receiver DontÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â© Stallworth worked with the first-team offense opposite Joe Horn and appears to have moved ahead of veteran Jerome Pathon in the starting lineup. Montrae Holland started at right guard. Jamar Nesbit split time with veteran Jerry Fontenot at center in Bentley's absence. With Howard, Whitehead and Will Smith out, Kenny Smith started at right defensive end. ETC.: Veteran running back Ki-Jana Carter joined the team after signing a one-year contract. He is expected to compete for a reserve running-back spot behind Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker. . . . Rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson flashed his speed early in team drills when he blew past the secondary on a go route down the right sideline. It all went for naught, though, as the former LSU standout dropped the perfectly placed pass from Aaron Brooks near the goal line. Henderson dropped another ball later and spent extra time on the Juggs gun after practice.