Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Tim Lelito never forgot those words. Not after he finished high school with zero major college scholarship offers. And not after all 32 NFL teams bypassed him in the draft in 2012.

No, the insult Lelito remembered the most came as a high school freshman on the track and field team in his hometown of St. Clair, Michigan, where an athletic director observed practice one day and then told him he would never throw a discus farther than 150 feet.


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"It kind of burned my (butt) a little bit that this person three years down the line didn't know what I was capable of," said Lelito, who as a senior far surpassed that distance with a throw of 189 feet, 11 inches. "It kind of stuck with me," he said.

Now relate that story to the present. And imagine his reply to anybody who would suggest that after three seasons with the New Orleans Saints he cannot provide them with what they need at either guard position on the offensive line for the 2016 season.

"When people tell me I can't do something, like 'Oh, hey, you shouldn't be here because you're an undrafted free agent,' I'm like OK, I'll show you." the Grand Valley State product said in an interview to promote a charity softball game with Saints players. "I'm like, here we go."

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Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

that is an oddly specific slight to hold onto for 10 years

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I'm fine with him holding it. If it makes him meaner and more aggressive and can help him out play others...do it man. I personally don't care who starts at guard, as long as they play their ass off and provide good protection for Drew.

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I say you can't be a starting guard in the NFL. Now, what ya gonna do about it? :)

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

go for broke... why not say "pro-bowl" guard? Or "All-Pro"? or "Super Bowl winning"?

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

He may be coming around better this season. He might not be a stud at G but as long as he can do his job in the run game and passing game he don't have to be. I still think C is where he plays his best. I worry more about Kelemente more than Lelito, another good G would go a long way.

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

He's adequate but I want better!

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Hey Tim, you'll never be an All-Pro Guard

Note: Please feel free to print and stick this in your locker ;)

Hoping you have that breakout season and you quiet all the haters, doubters big man! :saintsfan:

Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

He shouldn't be here but he is. :bugeyes: :popcorn:


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Re: Long-ago slight rankles New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

use it to fuel the fire and keep improving.

Evan Mathis is proof