New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Three Thoughts
1.) The Saints drafted defensive tackle Akiem Hicks as a little bit of a gamble. He was recruited by LSU, so he had SEC talent. But after getting embroiled in an NCAA investigation, he never played for the Tigers and ended up at a Direct TV call center before college at the University of Regina in Canada. In other words, there was question as to not just how quickly he would adapt to the NFL, but if he would adapt.

Thursday night, Hicks impressed. He was active up front and caused havoc up in the middle. On cornerback Marquis Johnson’s interception, Hicks pushed his blocker far enough back that Mallett couldn’t step into his throw. That made it easy for Johnson to pick up the interception.

“I was coming across to the B gap and then I saw him starting to set soft,” Hicks said as he described the play. “I turned speed into power and took him back to Mallett and put him down. It was a good feeling.”

If he continues with what he showed Thursday night, he could become a key contributor for the Saints’ defense. And that doesn’t bode well for Tom Johnson, who mysteriously wasn’t with the Saints in Boston this week. Hicks has earned more playing time and trust and his arrow could be pointing way up.

Vitt wouldn’t comment specifically on Thursday night’s game, but he did say it was “fun to watch.”

But Vitt paid him the ultimate compliment.

“I know what we have in the player,” Vitt said. “We have a big, athletic, passionate player who wants to get better every day. Guys like that, to a degree, are rare. I don’t know that this player knows how good he can be.”

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Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Very Cool! :bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Good to hear... it's not like we don't need guys like him.

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Great read!

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

The fact that he thought his way through the play is a big plus. We need more thinking players and less reactionary players.

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound.

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Man, it would be nice if he caught on quickly.

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

Maybe we're finally having some of the luck (or whatever it is) finding defenders that we've had finding offensive gems.

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

a bull is what i saw

Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks
 

That's great news