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Two-year veteran Courtney Watson, at one point regarded as the long-term solution to the New Orleans Saints' lingering problems at middle linebacker, appears now to be a short-timer with the team.

Courtney Watson

Watson

New Orleans officials have excused Watson, the team's second-round choice in the 2004 draft, from this weekend's full-squad minicamp, and coach Sean Payton acknowledged the Saints have granted the former Notre Dame star permission to seek potential trade partners.

Watson, 25, was actually traded to the Miami Dolphins last month in a one-for-one swap that sent three-year veteran linebacker Eddie Moore to the Saints. The deal was voided, however, when Moore, also a former second-round choice, failed the physical examination administered by the Saints' medical staff.

At a rookie minicamp last month, Payton said he had discussed Watson's status with him, and suggested he would return to the Saints, at least temporarily. But the awkward nature of the situation, with Watson aware that he did not fit into the plans of the new Saints' coaching staff, clearly prompted the team to request that he not attend this weekend's practices.

Two other players the Saints have been shopping in trade talks during the offseason, safety Dwight Smith and tailback Michael Bennett, are attending the minicamp.

The situation with Watson is indicative of how a player's status can be affected when there is a coaching change. Under former coach Jim Haslett, dismissed after the 2005 season, Watson was generally regarded as a promising player. But the Saints say the scheme being installed by new defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs is not a good fit for Watson, who started 14 games in two seasons with the team.

New Orleans added four veteran linebackers in free agency this spring, including the Friday acquisitions of Tommy Polley and Jay Foreman, and that made Watson even more expendable.

If the Saints can't find a trade partner, Watson could be released, probably before the start of training camp.

The 60th player chosen in the 2004 draft, Watson signed a five-year, $2.98 million contract with the Saints, including a $1.052 million signing bonus. Releasing Watson would mean New Orleans spent $1.59 million on him in two years, with only a modest return. Watson voided the fifth season of the deal, and has two years left on the contract, at base salaries of $425,000 for 2006 and $460,000 for 2007.

In 21 appearances, Watson has 115 tackles, three sacks and three passes defensed. His 2005 season was marred by a DUI arrest in October, and then a sprained knee sidelined him for the final seven games of the year, which ended with him on the injured reserve list.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2469052

Your team stinks

AllSaints

Ah Watson I really thought you would be a wonderful pickup to our Defense but ...... like sully yall both have done nothing............ time to go and rebuild yourself with another team............ Best of luck..............

JimBone

I too was a big fan of Watson. I was never a fan of Allen or Hodge when we drafted them, but i was a fan of Watson and it is sad to see that he has not developed at all and he has played his last game with the Saints.

jrmllb

Yeah wish he had developed better...i liked it when they picked him....

papz

I honestly didn't even no who he was when he was drafted and I never thought he could handle the middle. I'm surprised we never tried him at weak or strong which I think suits him much better. Allen on the other hand, I was a big fan of. Damn injuries... sucks for him.

wheelman

I say we package Stallworth and Watson to go after either a starting caliber DT or CB.

patdog

Stallworth will be ok and watson never made a play.

saintsrule

It doesn't say he is not a good player, just that he does not fit their way of playing the linebackers.

TheDeuce

I'm with you here papzy. I had no clue who he was. I knew he was from ND before they got good. I knew he wasn't a very athletic guy, but they made me believe that he was a heady player who made good reads and was a strong character guy. But he just never did anything. He never impressed me once. I can't honestly say that I remember seeing him play, that's how little of an impression he made on me. Then obviously he got a DUI last year after getting hurt. This guy hasn't done crap for us and it's time for him to go and make way for our trio of upgrade LBs. Polley, Simmons, and Fujita. Much better.

mikesaintfan

if he wants out ...then good ridance