LB THOMPSON AVAILABLE
One interesting development to watch as draft day draws closer is the availability of former University of Tennessee and Arizona Cardinals standout outside linebacker Raynoch Thompson. This past week, the Cardinals released the former St Augustine High School (New Orleans) star linebacker after five seasons.

Thompson, 27, was considered just two seasons ago one of the better weakside linebackers in the NFC, but personal problems and a dispute over money not paid in a signing bonus soured the relationship between he and the Cardinals.

The former All-SEC performer is known around the league for his excellent athletic skills, speed to cover the field from sideline to sideline and quick read-and-reaction skills. While he has built more like a strong safety (6-2, 224), instead of a linebacker, Thompson was a strong open-field tackler who showed good blitzing skills coming off the edge.
The trouble with the Cardinals and Thompson started when the linebacker signed a new contract extension in 2003, but he did not inform the team he had tested positive under the league’s substance abuse rules for the second time in his career.

Team officials found out days after signing Thompson to the contract extension, and it resulted in a suspension for the final four games of the 2003 season. His first strike came in 2001, when he was cited for driving under the influence. Thompson tested positive for alcohol, which is prohibited under the substance-abuse policy.

Thompson filed a grievance against the team when they withheld a portion of the $2.63 million signing bonus from the extension. After being a full-time starter for the Cardinals for the past 3½ seasons, Thompson played in 11 games in 2004 but only started three. He had 34 tackles and one sack last season.

Thompson was considered the Cardinals’ top defensive player in 2001 and 2002, when he recorded 257 tackles and 3½ sacks.

For a team like the Saints, a shot to pick up a good starting weakside linebacker, one who has local ties is still in the prime of his career, would be mighty inviting.