hagan714

SCOUTING REPORT: The Saints have plenty of experienced starters to choose from at the safety position. But early on, the two safeties getting the most work with the first team have been 10-year veteran Omar Stoutmire and second-year S Josh Bullocks. Stoutmire, who turns 32 next month, didn't make much of a splash when he signed with the Saints during the first week of free agency, but was a player that Payton targeted. Stoutmire started for the Giants when Payton was an offensive coordinator there, and both have spent most of their career in the NFC East. Stoutmire (5-11, 205) is the kind of reliable and consistent veteran the Saints have coveted during their rebuilding process this year. What he might lack in speed, he makes up for by being in the right place at the right time. Stoutmire has not been a full-time starter since 2003 with the Giants, but he has impressed the coaches enough to work his way into the starting lineup for now, ahead of veteran safeties Dwight Smith, Jay Bellamy and Bryan Scott. He should complement Bullocks well, since Bullocks is a young player with terrific natural ability who is still learning.

REHAB UPDATE: The Saints have several high-profile players returning from major injuries in 2005, but the most prominent are QB Drew Brees (torn labrum in his throwing shoulder) and RB Deuce McAllister (torn ACL). Both were heavily involved during the last four weeks of organized team activities and a full-squad minicamp, and both are targeting a full preseason. Brees has been thrilled with his progress throughout the year, despite a tight timetable -- he suffered his injury in Week 17. He is throwing comfortably up to 40 yards now and has been developing his timing with his receivers, something that he said has vastly improved in just the last couple weeks. Brees has kept himself from throwing with too much velocity, but he has started to let a few balls fly during team drills. The next big test will be playing in preseason games where he takes hits and throws in a less-controlled environment. McAllister is about 90 percent back from his injury, which he suffered in early October. He said he has been running for a few months now and has been able to get into shape, but he wants to keep developing that first-step burst and the sharp cutting ability.

INSIDE DISH: The Saints are one of seven teams with a first-year head coach heading into this season. And while all of the rookie coaches will surely be put under a microscope, one of the more underrated factors in their success is the collection of assistants on their staffs. Several new assistants throughout the league are working in the NFL for the first time. Many of them are coaching new positions. And most of them are working together for the first time with the other coaches as well as the players. That's a lot of learning on the fly.

TACKLES ANALYSIS: C-minus. The Saints have some talent here, but very little experience. Jammal Brown was terrific as a rookie right tackle, but he's moving to the left side this year. Jon Stinchcomb will try to earn the right tackle job, but he's never started a game at tackle and is coming off a severe knee injury. Veteran Jamar Nesbit is a reliable alternative, but he's been a guard for most of his career.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/saints/index.html

TheDeuce

Thanks for the article Hagan. It was interesting to see about Stoutmire being the starter at safety right now. You think this could just be a ploy to try and get Dwight Smith motivated before the season?

saintswhodi

If Stoutmire is starting during the season, that means Dwight is probably gonna be our #2 cornerback. I can see them telling him to go these six weeks and drop a few pounds of muscle to get to a better weight to play CB, and get back some quickeness and mobility. Other than that, I believe it'll prob be Smith and Bullocks again, but Payton could surprise since he is familiar with Stoutmire somewhat it seems.

papz

I think we've read in previous reports that Smith is motivated and has been playing very well. It's just a matter of time before Payton realizes the two best options are Smith and Bullocks. Stoutmire would be a solid 3rd guy for us.

TheDeuce

What about Bryan Scott? He's got starter potential, and he's only in his third or fourth year. He's obviously got the physical tools. Maybe Payton should try and coach him up a little bit.

I like that idea Whodi. I think having Dwight Smith at the #2 CB spot is our best option because of the plethora of safeties we have to fill that FS spot.

hagan714

I see the line up as okay and having Smith, Scott doing duties at both back up S and #3, #4 CB. All Depends on the WR they are facing. This will give time for the rookies to learn and hope Thomas can step up as the #2 for next year. Gleason knows his place is a special teams ace. Craft is my cut from the secondary.

biloxi-indian

Payton is playing head games. He learned from several MASTERS.

sarge06

What about the kid that we drafted out of Bama, Harper? I hear he is a serious football player. He doesnt have the combine type numbers he just plays like an animal.

jergensl

its possible that coach will try getting the best athletes on the field for the defensive side of the ball and not worry about positions as much.

it can be kind of risky, but has worked in the past