Fox Team Report

jnormand · 06-06-2005, 04:45 AM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=18

Fox Team Report for the New Orleans Saints

When the Saints signed free-agent guard Jermane Mayberry and drafted tackle Jammal Brown, it looked like Kendyl Jacox might become a cap casualty on the offensive line. But the veteran drive blocker has responded to the challenge. Jacox has outplayed third-year veteran Montrae Holland, who was moved from right to left guard to make room for Mayberry, and is the clear front-runner to start at left guard. Jacox's ability to play center is another plus. Holland has struggled with the move and has disappointed coaches with his conditioning. . . .

Rookie safety Josh Bullocks and wide receiver Nate Poole have opened eyes in coaching sessions. Bullocks, the team's second-round pick, has shown great speed and instincts in center field while impressing coaches with his aptitude in the playbook. He's already earned a regular spot in the dime package. Poole is not fast but has excellent hands and runs precise routes. Even if, as expected, a veteran receiver isn't added before training camp, Poole will challenge Devery Henderson, Michael Lewis and Talman Gardner for a reserve spot.

SCOUTING REPORT: Weakside linebacker Colby Bockwoldt has gained about 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason and looks like a cinch to hold off veterans Derrick Rodgers and Levar Fisher for the starting spot. Bockwoldt is smart, a diligent student in the classroom and one of the fastest linebackers on the roster. He's impressed coaches with a no-nonsense work ethic, which showed in the remarkable strength gains he made during the club's offseason conditioning program. For all of his athletic ability, Bockwoldt is still raw and inexperienced. He can be fooled by misdirection plays and play-fakes. He's also still learning to master pursuit angles and coverage responsibilities, which take time and reps. That said, the Saints are ecstatic with his progress and think they've found a diamond in the rough in the 2004 seventh-round pick.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Free safety Dwight Smith brings a much-needed swagger to the defense. Smith is cocky but in a good way. His confidence should be a boost to a defense that hasn't had much reason to feel good in recent years. He's also a playmaker. His aggressiveness and nose for the ball should help the defense increase its turnover total. Smith's biggest hurdle might be how quickly he learns and adapts to the new defensive scheme. Some feel his effect on the defense could mirror the impact Joe Horn had on the offense when he signed as a free agent in 2000.

GUARDS/CENTERS ANALYSIS: Grade: B. This area underachieved in 2004. The trio of Kendyl Jacox, LeCharles Bentley and newcomer Jermane Mayberry should rank among the most powerful in the league.

06-06-2005, 04:45 AM	#1
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,530	Fox Team Report http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=18 Fox Team Report for the New Orleans Saints When the Saints signed free-agent guard Jermane Mayberry and drafted tackle Jammal Brown, it looked like Kendyl Jacox might become a cap casualty on the offensive line. But the veteran drive blocker has responded to the challenge. Jacox has outplayed third-year veteran Montrae Holland, who was moved from right to left guard to make room for Mayberry, and is the clear front-runner to start at left guard. Jacox's ability to play center is another plus. Holland has struggled with the move and has disappointed coaches with his conditioning. . . . Rookie safety Josh Bullocks and wide receiver Nate Poole have opened eyes in coaching sessions. Bullocks, the team's second-round pick, has shown great speed and instincts in center field while impressing coaches with his aptitude in the playbook. He's already earned a regular spot in the dime package. Poole is not fast but has excellent hands and runs precise routes. Even if, as expected, a veteran receiver isn't added before training camp, Poole will challenge Devery Henderson, Michael Lewis and Talman Gardner for a reserve spot. SCOUTING REPORT: Weakside linebacker Colby Bockwoldt has gained about 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason and looks like a cinch to hold off veterans Derrick Rodgers and Levar Fisher for the starting spot. Bockwoldt is smart, a diligent student in the classroom and one of the fastest linebackers on the roster. He's impressed coaches with a no-nonsense work ethic, which showed in the remarkable strength gains he made during the club's offseason conditioning program. For all of his athletic ability, Bockwoldt is still raw and inexperienced. He can be fooled by misdirection plays and play-fakes. He's also still learning to master pursuit angles and coverage responsibilities, which take time and reps. That said, the Saints are ecstatic with his progress and think they've found a diamond in the rough in the 2004 seventh-round pick. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Free safety Dwight Smith brings a much-needed swagger to the defense. Smith is cocky but in a good way. His confidence should be a boost to a defense that hasn't had much reason to feel good in recent years. He's also a playmaker. His aggressiveness and nose for the ball should help the defense increase its turnover total. Smith's biggest hurdle might be how quickly he learns and adapts to the new defensive scheme. Some feel his effect on the defense could mirror the impact Joe Horn had on the offense when he signed as a free agent in 2000. GUARDS/CENTERS ANALYSIS: Grade: B. This area underachieved in 2004. The trio of Kendyl Jacox, LeCharles Bentley and newcomer Jermane Mayberry should rank among the most powerful in the league.