Saints Team Report

hagan714 · 05-26-2007, 03:00 PM

Mike Triplett
For Sporting News

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: A year ago at this time, the Saints were practically starting from scratch, with new coaches and players at almost every position. Now, they have as much continuity and chemistry as any team in the league. The biggest difference from one year ago is at quarterback, where Drew Brees has been firing away with no problems during offseason training activities. Last May, Brees was just beginning to toss the football after undergoing major shoulder surgery. Even before the OTAs began, Brees was working with the receivers, tight ends and running backs in throwing sessions twice per week. Brees has shown no ill effects from the dislocated non-throwing elbow he suffered in the Pro Bowl.

SCOUTING REPORT: OT Jon Stinchcomb is also enjoying the benefits of a rehab-free offseason. Last year, Stinchcomb was recovering from a major knee injury, which was still nagging into training camp. This year, the powerful 6-5, 315-pounder looks noticeably more chiseled after two months of offseason workouts. He was one of the team's most pleasant surprises last year, giving a consistent, reliable effort on the right side of the line. And he should be even more forceful this year. He has great power as a run blocker and a good deal of athleticism to go with his sizeable frame.

MINICAMP MAYHEM: The Saints didn't add any marquee players to their secondary this offseason, but they did the next best thing. They added a ton of depth and youth. The energy and the competition at cornerback and safety have been apparent throughout the first few offseason training sessions. Free-agent CB Jason David and free-agent S Kevin Kaesviharn are playmakers with a nose for the ball. Rookie CBs Usama Young and David Jones add some energy and speed to the mix. And second-year SS Roman Harper is back after his rookie season was cut short with a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton is clearly pleased with the depth and diversity of the group, and he believes the competition will benefit everybody -- whether one of these newcomers breaks through, or whether they just spur improved efforts from returning veterans like Mike McKenzie, Fred Thomas, Jason Craft and Josh Bullocks. The secondary was the Saints' most inconsistent unit in 2006, and the team made it a top priority in the spring.

Mike Triplett covers the Saints for the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=213173

05-26-2007, 03:00 PM	#1
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Saints Team Report Mike Triplett For Sporting News PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: A year ago at this time, the Saints were practically starting from scratch, with new coaches and players at almost every position. Now, they have as much continuity and chemistry as any team in the league. The biggest difference from one year ago is at quarterback, where Drew Brees has been firing away with no problems during offseason training activities. Last May, Brees was just beginning to toss the football after undergoing major shoulder surgery. Even before the OTAs began, Brees was working with the receivers, tight ends and running backs in throwing sessions twice per week. Brees has shown no ill effects from the dislocated non-throwing elbow he suffered in the Pro Bowl. SCOUTING REPORT: OT Jon Stinchcomb is also enjoying the benefits of a rehab-free offseason. Last year, Stinchcomb was recovering from a major knee injury, which was still nagging into training camp. This year, the powerful 6-5, 315-pounder looks noticeably more chiseled after two months of offseason workouts. He was one of the team's most pleasant surprises last year, giving a consistent, reliable effort on the right side of the line. And he should be even more forceful this year. He has great power as a run blocker and a good deal of athleticism to go with his sizeable frame. MINICAMP MAYHEM: The Saints didn't add any marquee players to their secondary this offseason, but they did the next best thing. They added a ton of depth and youth. The energy and the competition at cornerback and safety have been apparent throughout the first few offseason training sessions. Free-agent CB Jason David and free-agent S Kevin Kaesviharn are playmakers with a nose for the ball. Rookie CBs Usama Young and David Jones add some energy and speed to the mix. And second-year SS Roman Harper is back after his rookie season was cut short with a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton is clearly pleased with the depth and diversity of the group, and he believes the competition will benefit everybody -- whether one of these newcomers breaks through, or whether they just spur improved efforts from returning veterans like Mike McKenzie, Fred Thomas, Jason Craft and Josh Bullocks. The secondary was the Saints' most inconsistent unit in 2006, and the team made it a top priority in the spring. Mike Triplett covers the Saints for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=213173
	"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins