In an exclusive interview with BlackAndGold.com, University of Nebraska football Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson provides key information on why Carl Nicks will increase the Saints’ advantage in the trenches.

B&G.com:  Coach Watson, we really appreciate your taking the time to give us your “take” on Carl Nicks.

Coach Watson:  Glad to speak with you.

B&G.com:  Coach, do you have any “ties” to anyone affiliated with the Saints (past or present)? 

Coach Watson:  Yes.  Coach I was involved on the staff that recruited Sean Payton out of high school (to Eastern Illinois Univ.).  I also served with former Saints coaches Randy Walker and Dan Darylmple. 

B&G.com:   How did Carl Nicks get to be a Cornhusker?

Coach Watson:  Carl was actually a Junior College transfer (midway in the 2006 season).  He came in, and was a starter right away.

B&G.com:  What things would you say Carl has to improve on to be a serious contender for a roster spot?

Coach Watson:  Well, every player has room to improve (some more than others).  But if I had to offer advice, I’d say that he should apply himself day-in and day-out.  Now that this is the NFL, he’ll have to push hard to make the team, and be a good student of the game.  Learn from the veterans in camp; put time in doing homework (studying film and all that).  But again, it’s like the slogan:  “Some practice till they get it right.  Pros practice until they can’t get it wrong.”

B&G.com:  What was the most memorable performance you recall made by Carl Nicks?

Coach Watson:  There were several, but one that stands out in my mind was last year vs. Auburn.  He went head-to-head with Quentin Groves (who was taken as the 52^nd overall pick in by the Jaguars).  In that game, Nicks was dominant and Groves seemed to be frustrated.  Carl really likes intense matchups, and he brought his A-game that day.

B&G.com:  Should Saints fans expect Carl to ease his way in, or make an immediate impact?

Coach Watson:  For a man his size, he can do it all.  He has the right stuff upstairs, and when he puts his mind to it, he can be solid in pass protection, opening holes for the run, or blocking downfield second and third tier.  The key is for Carl to use the talent given him, and make it happen.  But know this… I and a lot of others will be rooting for him. 

B&G.com:  Where do you predict the Saints to finish this year?

Coach Watson:  One thing about a Sean Payton-coached team …don’t bet against him.  He’s got to be one of the brightest minds in the NFL in developing and using the talent on his roster.  He certainly gives his team a great edge from the sideline.  For that reason, I feel the Saints have as good a chance as anyone to go all the way.

B&G.com:  I know you’re on the road recruiting, and you schedule has to be hectic.  On behalf of BlackAndGold.com and Saints fans everywhere, thank you for this excellent interview.  All the best to the Cornhuskers in the Big-12 conference.

Coach Watson: You’re welcome; Go Saints!

With that seventh pick, the Saints got one of their men, choosing USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. With their other five draft picks, New Orleans chose Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, defensive tackle DeMario Pressley of North Carolina State, tackle Carl Nicks of Nebraska, kicker Taylor Mehlhaff of Wisconsin, and wide receiver Adrian Arrington of Michigan.

In the second round, the Saints selected cornerback Tracy Porter 40th overall. Coming out of Port Allen High School in Port Allen, Porter was originally ignored by LSU and committed to Indiana. Nick Saban got in late to make an offer but Porter kept his commitment to the Hoosiers. Clearly, Porter's strength lies in his speed. He has decent but not preferred size at 5'11, 185 but he runs a sub 4.4 forty yard dash. His cover ability is good and he should be a third corner pretty quickly for the Saints. The only question mark for the Louisiana native, who has always been a Saints fan, is his tackling ability.With the 164th pick in round five, the Saints chose tackle Carl Nicks, a mammoth 6'5 341 mauler who hasn't played much football, serving as a starter at left tackle for Nebraska for just one season. He is aggressive by nature and has a long wing span but needs work on his footwork and pass blocking. Still, his physical size and strength make him an interesting project. In round seven with choice number 237, New Orleans was able to trade to get a targeted player, wide receiver Adrian Arrington of Michigan.

Overshadowed by teammate Mario Manningham, Arrington is an intriguing choice, a player who has great size (6'3 203). The Saints are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time with a tall receiver in the seventh round. Arrington has many of the qualities of Marques Colston, the sensational seventh round choice of two years ago. Like Colston, Arrington has great size and good hands. He was very productive at an elite program. He suffered a significant ankle injury in 2005 and had an off-field problem in 2006 as he was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge from a fight with his girlfriend. He was also suspended in 2007 for disciplinary reasons. That is why Arrington lasted as late as he did. Basically, the Saints were willing to take a chance on a player with questionable character in this spot. The talent is there. Hopefully, the maturity will follow.

Ellis is a quintessential run stopper. At 6'1, 305, he has the size to hold his ground. He is very strong, has good instincts, and plays with a high motor. He has enough quickness to generate pass rush from his inside position. He comes from a great program and a pro coach in Pete Carroll. He was recruited to USC by current Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. The familiarity was helpful in the process and will help Ellis in his adjustment period to the NFL. His draft board rating was an eyelash behind Dorsey and all observers feel he will be a very productive NFL player. I liked the trade, giving up a third round pick to obtain Ellis.

Pressley could be a true value pick in the fifth round at number 144. At 6'3, 301 pounds, Pressley follows in the footsteps of recent North Carolina State first round picks Mario Williams and Manny Lawson. Pressley has the package, including athleticism, speed, quickness, explosion off the ball, and upside. So why does a guy like this last until the 144th pick in the draft? Quite simply, injuries. First, a wrist injury set him back and in his senior season, he missed half of the season with a knee injury, curtailing his playing time and productivity. He is a classic "three technique" tackle and will give the Saints another solid inside player, along with Ellis.

In round six, the Saints did the unconventional, drafting place kicker Taylor Mehlhaff out of Wisconsin with the 178th overall pick. At 5'10, 185 Mehlhaff is not very big and while he has a pretty strong leg, he is not a long-distance field goal kicker. His strengths lie in his accuracy from 45 yards and in and his ability to kickoff. He kicked in northern conditions outdoors in the Big Ten and being indoors in New Orleans should benefit him. He is the first kicker drafted by the Saints since another Big Ten star, Morten Andersen of Michigan State back in 1982. We can only hope this one turns out nearly as well. Like Andersen, Mehlhaff is a left-footed kicker, though he actually throws right-handed. Clearly, he will be given a shot to win the job from Martin Grammatica, who was impressive in a short stint, allowing the Saints to let Olindo Mare go.

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In round four, first-team All-American Craig Steltz of LSU and Archbishop Rummel High School went to the Bears. In round five, USC quarterback John David Booty of Shreveport and Evangel was chosen by Minnesota. In the sixth round, Nicholls State defensive back Kareem Moore was picked by Washington, and in the seventh round, Matt Flynn, who quarterbacked LSU to a national championship, was chosen by Green Bay, tackle Demetrius Bell of Northwestern State went to Buffalo, LSU tight end Keith Zinger was picked by Atlanta, and UCLA safety Chris Horton of De La Salle High School in New Orleans was chosen by the Redskins. The most notable name not drafted was LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith, whose post-season workouts clearly hurt his stock.