Go Back   New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com > Main > Saints

New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; The New Orleans Saints said they envisioned rookie Khairi Fortt playing inside linebacker immediately after drafting him in May. But recently, he's been spending the majority of his snaps on the outside. On Monday, the Saints changed his position from ...

Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Rugby Saint II
  • 1 Post By NonieT

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-07-2014, 11:13 AM   #1
Threaded by SmashMouth
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Mandeville, LA
Posts: 36,915

Blog Entries: 29
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rating: (0 votes - average)

The New Orleans Saints said they envisioned rookie Khairi Fortt playing inside linebacker immediately after drafting him in May. But recently, he's been spending the majority of his snaps on the outside.

On Monday, the Saints changed his position from inside linebacker to outside linebacker on their official roster. However, it's not the cut and dry switch the roster makes it out to be.

The Saints don't stick to traditional 4-3 or 3-4 formations, or even one formation that all. Depending on the day, the Saints could see equal times with both three and four man fronts, which puts a lot of responsibility on their front seven to be versatile.

That trickles down from the defensive line to the linebackers.

For a young player like Fortt, seeing what he can do at multiple positions is priority number one for the coaches at this point.

"With us, you've got to have that position flexibility, especially for a young guy," said Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "He's a smart guy, he can learn two positions. So we've got him playing inside and outside."

Fortt was primarily the weakside linebacker in Cal's 4-3 defense during his college days. But he's spent enough time in both 4-3 and 4-3 systems that neither presents an overt shift for him.

"The 4-3 defense and a 3-4 kind of overlap with these over and under defenses," Fortt said in May. "During half the season at Cal we were still in a 3-4 where our Sam (strongside linebacker) was on the line and our two Mike (middle) and Will (weakside) backers were the inside players."

Ryan said one of Fortt's strengths is his ability to rush the passer, something he thinks they can utilize by putting him outside.

read more

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	15527332-mmmain.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	43.7 KB
ID:	9628  

Views: 2017
Old 08-07-2014, 07:47 PM   #2
Bounty Money $$$
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA.
Posts: 23,691
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

Payton sure loves players with versatility. Most rugby players play several different positions.
homerj07 likes this.
Rugby Saint II is offline  
Old 08-07-2014, 09:11 PM   #3
LB Mentallity
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 15,870
Blog Entries: 68
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

I am watching praying and hoping.
hagan714 is offline  
Old 08-07-2014, 09:14 PM   #4
In Doh We Trust
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,027
Blog Entries: 16
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

Always need versatile players defense and offense.
homerj07 is offline  
Old 08-07-2014, 10:55 PM   #5
Site Donor 2019
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,521
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

I'm disappointed. I was hoping Fortt would eventually push Hawthorne and Lofton. They represent a lot of money against the salary cap next season.
Utah_Saint is offline  
Old 08-08-2014, 12:15 PM   #6
500th Post
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 921
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

Originally Posted by Utah_Saint View Post
I'm disappointed. I was hoping Fortt would eventually push Hawthorne and Lofton. They represent a lot of money against the salary cap next season.

How do you know he won't? They said he could play either inside or outside and we also have Reddick.
Utah_Saint likes this.
NonieT is offline  
Old 08-08-2014, 12:16 PM   #7
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Mandeville, LA
Posts: 36,915
Blog Entries: 29
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

SmashMouth is offline  
Old 08-08-2014, 02:28 PM   #8
Site Donor 2019
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 3,521
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

Originally Posted by NonieT View Post
How do you know he won't? They said he could play either inside or outside and we also have Reddick.
You're right. There's nothing saying he can't still be competition for the inside spots too.
Utah_Saint is offline  
Old 08-08-2014, 03:19 PM   #9
10000 POST CLUB
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,838
Re: New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles

Don't forget Ramon Humber either, he had a tremendous preseason last year and got in the lineup on running downs
dizzle88 is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/67309-new-orleans-saints-rookie-khairi-fortt-officially-listed-outside-linebacker-but-could.html
Posted By For Type Date Hits
The Latest Khairi Fortt News | SportSpyder This thread Refback 08-10-2014 04:56 PM 1
The Latest New Orleans Saints News | SportSpyder This thread Refback 08-07-2014 02:04 PM 1
New Orleans Saints rookie Khairi Fortt officially listed as outside linebacker, but could play dual roles This thread Refback 08-07-2014 11:44 AM 6


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:30 AM.


Copyright 1997 - 2020 - BlackandGold.com
no new posts