INABILITY TO TRADE NO. 2 PICK FUELS SAINTS' LEINART INTEREST

dberce1 · 04-18-2006, 04:16 PM

INABILITY TO TRADE NO. 2 PICK FUELS SAINTS' LEINART INTEREST

Although our friend Peter King of Sports Illustrated threw us a bone on Monday with another mention in his MMQB column, we disagree with King's belief that reports of the Saints being legitimately interested in quarterback Matt Leinart are "absurd."

We continue to hear, from sources close to the action, that the Saints are taking a serious look at the 2004 Heisman winner. Not in order to generate a trade market for the No. 2 overall pick -- but because they couldn't gin up interest in a trade and are now faced with the strong likelihood that they'll have to use the selection.

So then the question becomes whether the guy with for whom they initially had a fleur-de-lis in their pockets (N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams) deserves the kind of contract that the No. 2 overall pick receives. Though the final decision hasn't been, and likely won't be, made until moments before the draft card is submitted on April 29, the Saints are giving Leinart a serious look-see.

For now, the Saints are doing their due diligence, bringing in Leinart for a visit. Maybe they'll really like him after spending time with him. Maybe they won't. Either way, the visit will provide the Saints with additional information, which will help them decide what to do.

Meanwhile, the Saints don't have an obvious need at the quarterback position, since they signed Drew Brees early in free agency. But we heard at the time the Saints were courting Brees that the former Chargers' starter preferred Miami to New Orleans because the Saints had floated to him the notion of giving him the job for 2006 while Leinart gets up to speed, and as the overall roster gets more acquainted with Malcolm in the Middle's offensive scheme.

Grain of salt:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

04-18-2006, 04:16 PM	#1
dberce1 Chuck Liddells Right Hand Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Prairieville, Louisiana Posts: 1,227	INABILITY TO TRADE NO. 2 PICK FUELS SAINTS' LEINART INTEREST INABILITY TO TRADE NO. 2 PICK FUELS SAINTS' LEINART INTEREST Although our friend Peter King of Sports Illustrated threw us a bone on Monday with another mention in his MMQB column, we disagree with King's belief that reports of the Saints being legitimately interested in quarterback Matt Leinart are "absurd." We continue to hear, from sources close to the action, that the Saints are taking a serious look at the 2004 Heisman winner. Not in order to generate a trade market for the No. 2 overall pick -- but because they couldn't gin up interest in a trade and are now faced with the strong likelihood that they'll have to use the selection. So then the question becomes whether the guy with for whom they initially had a fleur-de-lis in their pockets (N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams) deserves the kind of contract that the No. 2 overall pick receives. Though the final decision hasn't been, and likely won't be, made until moments before the draft card is submitted on April 29, the Saints are giving Leinart a serious look-see. For now, the Saints are doing their due diligence, bringing in Leinart for a visit. Maybe they'll really like him after spending time with him. Maybe they won't. Either way, the visit will provide the Saints with additional information, which will help them decide what to do. Meanwhile, the Saints don't have an obvious need at the quarterback position, since they signed Drew Brees early in free agency. But we heard at the time the Saints were courting Brees that the former Chargers' starter preferred Miami to New Orleans because the Saints had floated to him the notion of giving him the job for 2006 while Leinart gets up to speed, and as the overall roster gets more acquainted with Malcolm in the Middle's offensive scheme. Grain of salt: http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm