tiggerpolice

This much is known: The Saints will draft a player sometime Saturday.

Who and when is what's uncertain. And unless the Houston Texans come to terms with Southern California running back Reggie Bush or North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams before the proceedings commence this weekend, the picture will remain cloudy.

If the Texans decide on Williams -- still a long shot although the team is negotiating with both players -- then the Saints have to take Bush. Thus far, though, they have practically refused to even acknowledge the draft will take place this weekend much less concede any interest in a particular player.

The agent for Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart said Tuesday he doesn't believe the Saints' visit with Leinart last week was subterfuge aimed at leveraging a trade with another team more inclined to draft the one-time Heisman Trophy winner.

And the agent for Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk said he doubts the Saints would take Hawk with the second overall choice, although they might if they could trade down a few spots in the first round.

Conventional wisdom would indicate the Saints would not be in the market for another quarterback, but Leinart's agent, Chuck Price, said Leinart's time with the Saints gave him no indication the team was not interested in pursuing his client.

"Nobody has contacted us and said 'This is what we're going to do,' " Price said. "We don't know what's smoke screen and what's fact. One thing I do realize is I don't think there's a lot of accurate information that leaks out. It leaks out for a reason."

Leinart spent half a day last week at the Saints' practice facility on Airline Drive, meeting with Coach Sean Payton and several of his offensive coaches, in addition to General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Last month, the Saints signed free-agent quarterback Drew Brees to a six-year, $60 million contract that included an $8 million signing bonus and $2 million salary this year, with an additional bonus of $12 million due in March 2007 and a $3 million base salary next season.

That essentially makes Brees' deal a one-year guaranteed contract. He's coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder Jan. 5.

Indications now are that the Tennessee Titans, who have the No. 3 pick in the first round, likely will pick Texas quarterback Vince Young, passing on Leinart if he's still on the board, despite Leinart's past with Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a former Trojans assistant coach, and Coach Jeff Fisher's infatuation with Leinart. General Manager Floyd Reese, who'll make the final decision, prefers Young.

The New York Jets, who pick fourth and have two first-round draft picks and five overall on the first day, could deal up if they like Leinart and believe the Saints might pick him. But the draft grapevine now says the Jets might not be interested.

The Oakland Raiders, who pick seventh, apparently are seeking a quarterback, even though they signed ex-Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks. They have been rumored to be looking to move up.

"I think Sean (Payton) has a legitimate interest, because Sean Payton is definitely a guy who understands the quarterback position," Price said. "I know that, at the combine, they spent a lot of time with Matt. Drew Brees' signing looks, on paper, to be a one-year deal. If you're rebuilding a city and a franchise, the best thing to do is make investments, long-term, rather than short-term.

"I don't think (last week's visit) is a smoke screen in any way, shape or form. But what teams say, and what they think are absolutely, positively two way different issues. They're not going to be honest."

Mike McCartney, Hawk's agent, said the Saints really would like to pick his client, but not at No. 2.

"They can't pull the trigger there even though they know in their heart he may be the best," McCartney said

So who are the Saints targeting?

If Williams still is on the board, it could come down to him or Virginia left offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

The Saints seem to be solid and young at defensive end with Charles Grant and Will Smith.

If the Saints are sold on Brees, they might want a true left tackle to protect his blind side for the next six years. And, remember, Ferguson and Payton share the same agent.

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