saints to sign 13 free agents

ssmitty · 05-02-2006, 05:40 AM

Saints to sign 13 free agents
Eugene, Kuale among those reaching deals
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
By Mike Triplett
Staff writer
Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene, LSU linebacker E.J. Kuale and Texas guard Will Allen, a third-team All-American, highlight a group of 13 undrafted free agents who have agreed to terms with the Saints.

Kuale, 6 feet 2, 232 pounds, is a small but fast outside linebacker who never fulfilled his potential with the Tigers, mostly because of a broken ankle that limited him to six games last year.

He is a long shot to make an NFL roster, but the Saints have more needs at linebacker than anywhere else. They also agreed to terms with Purdue linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu (6-2, 246) and East Carolina linebacker Chris Moore (6-1, 235).

Iwuchukwu might make an impact on special teams. He holds the Purdue record with six blocked kicks.

The Saints addressed another thin position by agreeing to terms with three Big Ten cornerbacks -- Penn State's Anwar Phillips (6-0, 187), Michigan's Grant Mason (6-0, 192) and Purdue's Ray Williams (6-1, 205).

Phillips had been rated by most as a third- or fourth-round prospect heading into the NFL draft. He has good speed, height and long arms, but his toughness and tackling ability were questioned.

Allen (6-4, 306) is the most accomplished player among the Saints' free-agent group and might have the best potential to earn a job. He started 41 games for the national-champion Longhorns and is an intelligent player who projects as a possible backup center.

Eugene (6-0, 268) set a Division I-AA record with 140 career touchdown passes and ranks second with 13,530 career passing yards. The Saints were excited about bringing in Eugene, who played at Cohen High School, but he also is a long shot to make the team as one of five quarterbacks on the roster.

The Saints added two of the top special-teams prospects. Illinois punter Steve Weatherford was ranked the No. 1 prospect by Sporting News, in part because of his versatility as a punter, field-goal kicker and kickoff man. Virginia kicker Connor Hughes was chosen first-team All-ACC in 2005 and never missed a kick inside 30 yards in college.

The Saints also added Washington State tight end Troy Bienemann (6-4, 258), Mississippi State defensive tackle McKinley Boykin (6-1, 289) and North Carolina defensive end Tommy Davis (6-2, 257).

Boykin, a highly rated prospect, played under current Saints defensive line coach Marion Hobby in college.

TRAINING CAMP MOVE? The Saints have not yet decided where to hold training camp this summer.

After staying home in Metairie the past three seasons, the Saints are considering a return to the traditional format of moving the team to an out-of-town location. They likely would stay in the state or region, with Jackson, Miss., a possible consideration.

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05-02-2006, 05:40 AM	#1
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879	saints to sign 13 free agents Saints to sign 13 free agents Eugene, Kuale among those reaching deals Tuesday, May 02, 2006 By Mike Triplett Staff writer Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene, LSU linebacker E.J. Kuale and Texas guard Will Allen, a third-team All-American, highlight a group of 13 undrafted free agents who have agreed to terms with the Saints. Kuale, 6 feet 2, 232 pounds, is a small but fast outside linebacker who never fulfilled his potential with the Tigers, mostly because of a broken ankle that limited him to six games last year. He is a long shot to make an NFL roster, but the Saints have more needs at linebacker than anywhere else. They also agreed to terms with Purdue linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu (6-2, 246) and East Carolina linebacker Chris Moore (6-1, 235). Iwuchukwu might make an impact on special teams. He holds the Purdue record with six blocked kicks. The Saints addressed another thin position by agreeing to terms with three Big Ten cornerbacks -- Penn State's Anwar Phillips (6-0, 187), Michigan's Grant Mason (6-0, 192) and Purdue's Ray Williams (6-1, 205). Phillips had been rated by most as a third- or fourth-round prospect heading into the NFL draft. He has good speed, height and long arms, but his toughness and tackling ability were questioned. Allen (6-4, 306) is the most accomplished player among the Saints' free-agent group and might have the best potential to earn a job. He started 41 games for the national-champion Longhorns and is an intelligent player who projects as a possible backup center. Eugene (6-0, 268) set a Division I-AA record with 140 career touchdown passes and ranks second with 13,530 career passing yards. The Saints were excited about bringing in Eugene, who played at Cohen High School, but he also is a long shot to make the team as one of five quarterbacks on the roster. The Saints added two of the top special-teams prospects. Illinois punter Steve Weatherford was ranked the No. 1 prospect by Sporting News, in part because of his versatility as a punter, field-goal kicker and kickoff man. Virginia kicker Connor Hughes was chosen first-team All-ACC in 2005 and never missed a kick inside 30 yards in college. The Saints also added Washington State tight end Troy Bienemann (6-4, 258), Mississippi State defensive tackle McKinley Boykin (6-1, 289) and North Carolina defensive end Tommy Davis (6-2, 257). Boykin, a highly rated prospect, played under current Saints defensive line coach Marion Hobby in college. TRAINING CAMP MOVE? The Saints have not yet decided where to hold training camp this summer. After staying home in Metairie the past three seasons, the Saints are considering a return to the traditional format of moving the team to an out-of-town location. They likely would stay in the state or region, with Jackson, Miss., a possible consideration. . . . . . . . http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...9736249870.xml
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879