With the second pick of the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, the Saints pick a Cornerback to beef up the defensive secondary. 

With the loss of key players including Center Jeff Faine, the New Orleans Saints decided to beef up their defensive secondary by picking  Cornerback Tracy Porter from Indiana.

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. 

 In an exclusive interview with BlackandGold.com, Indiana Hoosier Defensive Backs coach, Joe Palcic, provides insight on why Tracy Porter is ready to vie for a starting position in the Saints’ secondary.

In an exclusive interview with BlackandGold.com, Indiana Hoosier Defensive Backs coach, Joe Palcic, provides insight on why Tracy Porter is ready to vie for a starting position in the Saints’ secondary.

B&G.com:  Coach Palcic, we appreciate your taking the time to fill Saints fans in on what you know about Tracy Porter.

Coach Palcic:  You’re welcome; it’s my pleasure.

B&G.com:  Coach, I understand you have some “ties” with the Saints… is that correct?

Coach Palcic:  Yes, I do.  My youngest sister (Monica) is married to Mark Simoneau, my dad (Bob Palcic) was a Tight Ends coach under Jim Haslett when he was with the Saints, and Sean Payton was on the coaching staff at Miami of Ohio when I played there.

B&G.com:  What can you tell us about how Tracy developed during his time at Indiana?

Coach Palcic:  Well, all you have to do is put yourself in his shoes.  Here he was, a kid from Louisiana, and he’s dropped in a college town in the Midwest ( Bloomington, Indiana).  He didn’t know anyone, and I’m sure he was a little homesick.  But as time went on, he applied himself, made friends, and really developed into a true leader on the football team. 

B&G.com:  Did you recruit him to Indiana; what was so intriguing about Porter?

Coach Palcic:  No, I didn’t.  Actually, he was brought here (recruited) by the prior coaching staff.  Former head coach Jerry DiNardo liked his talent and upside and persuaded Tracy to come.  In his first year, he was a true freshman.  He was “raw.”  By that I mean that you could see the athleticism, but he needed to polish his technique and anticipation. 

B&G.com:  How did it pan out?

Coach Palcic:  He showed us enough for him to make the roster.  He actually became a regular in the secondary and really showed his potential.  In his very first game, he got a “pick” and returned it 90 yards.  Unfortunately, he broke his clavicle (collar bone) midseason, in the 6^th game.  Of course, that cut his freshman season short. 

B&G.com:  What stands to you out about his development?

Coach Palcic:  His maturity and savvy as a player really took off.  After he returned  the following season, he was so good that we put him on the opposing teams’ best receiver.  He’s gone up against some of the best in the country, and really held his own. 

B&G.com:  What was the most impressive performance in any game you can recall about Tracy Porter?

Coach Palcic:  I’d say that two stand out.  The first was in ’06 vs. UCONN.  He dominated in that game.  He had two int’s, multiple passes defended, a blocked FG and returned a punt for a TD.  The other memorable game was last season vs. the Fighting Illini.  In that game, Tracy had two int’s, and he was stout in run support to help stop Mendenhall.

B&G.com:  When a player comes into the NFL, it can be a make-or-break decision if you have the wrong man in a man-to-man scheme if he’s more of a cover-2 player.  Can you explain why this is so critical, and tell us which Tracy best fits?

Coach Palcic:  Yes, I’d be glad to.  For instance, a team like the Indianapolis Colts (who uses the cover-2) don’t usually draft cornerbacks with their top (early round) choices because of their defensive schemes. This is because cover-2 only requires that a corner bumps and jams a receiver in the short to medium range, and releasing the receiver to the backpeddling safeties over the top in deep routes.  Because of this, a typical cover-2 cornerback may not be as easily exploited as true man-to-man cornerback (who has full coverage responsibility …even on deep routes).  So a cover-2 corner may be effective, and may be able to “cheat” more to provide run support sooner because he knows he can release the receiver after so-many yards.  But not all defensive backs can make the transition from zone/cover-2 to man-to-man.  In Tracy’s case, he can fit either system because he’s skilled and disciplined enough to hold man-to-man responsibility.  And he can also revert to the zone/cover-2, if that’s the scheme called for in the defense or game situation. 

B&G.com:  Did the Hoosiers make it to a Bowl game last season?

Coach Palcic: Yes.  We were invited to the “Insight Bowl” in Phoenix (Sun Devil stadium).  Tracy played well.  No int’s, but he held his own. 

B&G.com:  How does Tracy Porter compare to other CB’s taken this year?

Coach Palcic:  (laugh)  You want an “unbiased answer?”  Well, I know that he’s one of the most fluid defensive backs to be drafted in recent years…bar none.  If you want a quick comparison:  Many were touting Talib as a hot first-rounder.  In my opinion, Talib would fit in cover-2 schemes, but may have difficulty in man-to-man schemes because he’s not as fluid in hip & leg movement (to react & change direction) as Tracy is.  I could go down the list in comparison, but I think that gives you an idea of where I’m coming from.

B&G.com:  Seeing that Tracy Porter is a Louisiana native, how did he react when he found out he was coming back to the Bayou State?

Coach Palcic:  All I can say is that it was very special!  For him, it was a dream come true.  Throughout his time at Indiana, he’s always made it know that the Saints were his favorite team.  His mom traveled to see him as much as she was able, but she refused to take the airlines (…she hated to fly).  So, she sacrificed and drove the round trip more than a few times.  Now that Tracy is “back home,” I know that both he and she are ecstatic!

B&G.com:  What do think are Tracy Porter’s chances in making the final Saints’ roster?

Coach Palcic:  I believe his chances are excellent.  In game situations, Tracy let’s his play do the talking.  I know that in the NFL some defenders like to talk smack, but that’s not Tracy’s style  He has the talent, he has the confidence, and he has the game smarts that will translate into big dividends for the New Orleans Saints’ defense.  Realistically, I see Tracy making the cut as a nickel (at least) …and will likely push for a starting spot.  The term “draft steal” is an overplayed term.  But don’t be surprised if it resurfaces when people look back on this pickup by the Saints.

B&G.com:  Once again coach, we are delighted to have you share this information with an excited and eager Saints’ fan base.  On behalf of BlackAndGold.com and Saints fans everywhere, thank you for your insight and perspective on Tracy Porter.  All the best to the Hoosiers this season.

Coach Palcic:  You’re welcome; good luck with the Saints.