hagan714

TRYOUT GUYS: Along with the drafted players and the undrafted free agents signed by the club this week, several rookie and veteran free agent hopefuls are working with the team during the rookie minicamp.

Offense: QB Andy Hall (6-2, Delaware), QB Joel Klatt (6-1, Colorado), RB Ray Hudson (5-9, Alabama), FB Joey Cwik (6-1, Eastern Washington), TE Tim Thurman (6-6, Cal-Poly), TE Billy Miller (6-3, Southern California; played with Denver 1999-2001, Houston 2002-04 & Cleveland 2005), WR Derrius Thompson (6-2, Baylor; played with Washington 1999-2002 & Miami 2003-05), WR Jamal Jones (5-11, North Carolina A&T), C Brian Van Acker (6-2, Northern Illinois), C Pascal Matla (6-4, Eastern Illinois), OL Matt Miller (6-4, Louisiana College), OL Jacob Rogers (Southern California), OL Stefol Wheeler (6-4, Michigan State).

Defense: DT Brandon Villarreal (6-1, Purdue), DT Ryan Matha (6-1, Illinois), DT Larry Dibbles (6-1, Texas), DE Constantin Ritzmann (6-3, Tennessee), DE Tim Jones (6-2, South Florida), LB Mike Nattiel (5-11, Florida), LB De'Adrian Coley (6-1, South Carolina), LB Khalid Abdullah (6-2, Mars Hill), DB Garreth DiBetta (5-10, Nicholls State), DB Rich Coady (6-0, Texas A&M; played with St. Louis 1999-2001 & 2003-04, Tennessee 2002, Dallas 2005), DB Brandon Spincer (6-0, Tulane), DB Sean Lucas (5-10, Tulane).

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news...articleid=2470

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

gandhi1007

I like Dibbles DT-Texas. He's a little undersized, but he has a great motor. I think he could possibly make the team.

hagan714

WR Derrius Thompson (6-2, Baylor; played with Washington 1999-2002 & Miami 2003-05),
TE Billy Miller (6-3, Southern California; played with Denver 1999-2001, Houston 2002-04 & Cleveland 2005),
DB Rich Coady (6-0, Texas A&M; played with St. Louis 1999-2001 & 2003-04, Tennessee 2002, Dallas 2005),

have to see what I can find on these guys.

DB Brandon Spincer (6-0, Tulane), DB Sean Lucas (5-10, Tulane).

What do you guys know about these two?

hagan714

Saints | Abdullah working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:30:24 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent LB Khalid Abdullah (Bengals) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp.

Pro Career

2003: Drafted by Cincinnati in fifth round (136th overall) … Signed July 11 … Played in Games 1-16, and ranked third in special teams tackles (14) … Tied for third in special teams solo tackles (10) … Ranked fourth in special teams snaps (257) … Had 2 special teams tackles Sept. 14 at Oakland … Led team with 3 special teams tackles (2 solo) Oct. 5 at Buffalo.
http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=34577
Abdullah, the Bengals' fifth-round draft pick in 2003, played in 16 games as a rookie but missed last season with an ankle injury.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=2091044

draft review
Khalid Abdullah
OLB | (6-2, 227, 4.64) | MARS HILL
By Pro Football Weekly

Notes: Signed with Clemson, but instead wound up at Bethune-Cookman in 1997 because of his academics. Did not play a game at Bethune-Cookman in '97 and transferred in '98. Started at Mars Hill the past three years. Had 84 stops, including nine for loss, six sacks, seven passes broken up and an interception in '01. Started 10-of-14 games and had 98-17-5-8, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in '02. Made a good impression on scouts at the Combine.

Positives: Is smooth and fluid from head to toe and doesn't waste movements. Has outstanding balance, excellent range and lateral quickness. Will walk off and cover a wide receiver and looks fluid in coverage at the college level. Has very good coordination, quick hands and feet. Appears to be highly motivated and uses his hands well. Has a 36½-inch vertical.

Negatives: Does not take on blocks well. Very active and athletic linebacker who lacks size and strength. Will play a little soft at times and is not a big hitter, even gearing down on impact.

Summary: It will be difficult for Abdullah to translate his past success to the next level, but his size and athleticism give him a chance to catch on with a team.

* Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

88 Derrius Thompson, WR
Height/Weight: 6-2/220
Birthdate: 07/05/1977
Birthplace: Dallas, TX, USA
Team: Miami Dolphins
College: Baylor
NFL Experience: 7
The Miami Dolphins terminated/injury settlement wide receiver Derrius Thompson off its injured reserve list on Sept. 8. Thompson had been placed on the injured reserve list on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a hamstring injury.
(Updated 01/05/2006).
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133579

hagan714

Saints | Nattiel working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:24:44 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent LB Mike Nattiel (Vikings) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp

17(190) Minnesota (from New Orleans) MIKE NATTIEL OLB FLORIDA



Mike Nattiel
OLB | (5-11, 228, 4.6) | FLORIDA
By Pro Football Weekly

Notes: Nephew of former Florida WR Ricky Nattiel, a late first-round pick of the Broncos in 1986. Played in every game the past three years. Started one game in '99, seven in 2000, eight in '01 and every game in '02. Had 35 stops in 1999; missed all of spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery in January, then had 61 stops and two picks in 2000. Collected 66 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception in '01; and 136-6-0 in '02, when he played on the strong side.

Positives: Very tough and competitive player who likes to fly around and play football. Quick, active and very aggressive. Has sideline-to-sideline range vs. the run and a special-teams personality.

Negatives: Lacks size and bulk strength. Must be freed up and not playing head up over a blocker, because he lacks the size and strength to take on a big man. Goes so hard he is not always under control and will overrun plays and miss tackles because he can't break down and tackle low when he is going so hard. Is just average in coverage. Has some hesitation in his play.

Summary: Active, aggressive, undersized 'backer who is limited by his size but could make it as a backup and special-teams player and eventually earn a chance to compete as a regular.

* Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.

Nattiel, a third-year player out of Florida, had 22 tackles in limited duty last season.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

Saints | Ritzmann working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:21:03 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent DL Constantin Ritzmann (Falcons) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp.

Full Name: Constantin Ritzmann
Born: December 20, 1979
,
Height: 6-3
Weight: 254 lbs. Age: 26
Pos: DE
Experience: 2 years
College: Tennessee
Undrafted

hagan714

Saints | Rogers working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:15:59 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent OL Jacob Rogers (Cowboys) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp
Position: T
Height: 6-5
Weight: 305
Born: 08/17/1981
College: Southern California
NFL Experience: 2

National Football League News Wire

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys released offensive lineman Jacob Rogers on Friday, cutting ties with a second-round pick from two years ago who never took a snap on offense.

Rogers was waived injured in August. When nobody claimed him, he reverted to the club's injured reserve list. The team was believed to be considering giving him another chance this summer.

A star left tackle on Southern Cal's 2003 national championship team, Rogers struggled with a move to the right side. He played special teams in two games as a rookie, then got hurt during a preseason game last year. He opted for voluntary surgery, which didn't go over well with team officials.

hagan714

Saints | J. Jones working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:13:01 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent WR Jamal Jones (Packers) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp.


Green Bay Packers | WR | #19
College: North Carolina A&T Rookie Yr: 2004
Ht., Wt.: 6'0", 214

hagan714

Saints | B. Miller working with team during minicamp
Sat, 13 May 2006 21:12:22 -0700

Chris Pika, of NewOrleansSaints.com, reports free agent TE Billy Miller (Browns) is working with the New Orleans Saints during the team's minicamp

Position: TE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245

National Football League News Wire
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns on Tuesday released veteran tight end Billy Miller, who did not catch a pass in three games with the team.

Miller was signed by the Browns one week before the start of the regular season because Steve Heiden was the only healthy tight end on the roster. Aaron Shea returned from a strained chest muscle last month and Miller has seen little action since.

Miller had 114 receptions for 1,212 yards and seven touchdowns in six seasons with Denver and Houston. He was Houston's leading receiver in 2002, catching 51 passes for 613 yards and three touchdowns.
Born: 04/24/1977
College: Southern California
NFL Experience: 6

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins