Haz on Tebucky..........

JOESAM2002 · 07-16-2003, 05:30 PM

Saints report: Inside slant
July 14, 2003

Strategy and personnel | Notes, quotes, anecdotes

When the Saints hit the practice field for the first day of training camp on July 26, all eyes will be on the overhauled defense -- a unit that could have as many as eight starters that weren't in those positions last July.
But the position that's sure to receive the most scrutiny is free safety, where Tebucky Jones will be among those trying to tighten up a defense that allowed 20 points or more in all but one game in 2002.

Jones, who signed a seven-year, $29.25 million deal with the Saints after he was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots, combines the speed and cover skills of a cornerback with the size of an outside linebacker at 6 feet, 2 inches and 230 pounds.

"He's a big man," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "He's got a certain presence out there. I think he's ready to blossom."

Jones started for the Patriots in their stunning Super Bowl XXXVI win over the St. Louis Rams -- a victory which came in his new home stadium -- and Haslett expects Jones to bring that winning edge to the Saints' defense.

Haslett said it all starts with Jones' versatility.

"We had problems last year when teams came out with three and four wide receivers and you don't know what you were getting," Haslett said. "They mask it and they've got halfbacks like Deuce (McAllister) that can go out and play wide receiver. If you don't have a safety that can go out and cover and play some man-to-man or disguise and play zone and go out and play bump and do some different things than blitz, I think you're limiting yourself on defense.

"Tebucky gives us that ability that we don't have to worry about having 10 personnel groupings." He said. "He'll get more reps if we have one, two, three personnel groupings and he can see things more. I think this gives you flexibility in your defense that we haven't had since I've been here."

"Tebucky has speed and range, and he's a big man," said defensive coordinator Rick Venturi. "He gives you a little different dimension at safety than you normally would have. I've always liked him."

07-16-2003, 05:30 PM	#1
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Haz on Tebucky.......... Saints report: Inside slant July 14, 2003 Strategy and personnel \| Notes, quotes, anecdotes When the Saints hit the practice field for the first day of training camp on July 26, all eyes will be on the overhauled defense -- a unit that could have as many as eight starters that weren't in those positions last July. But the position that's sure to receive the most scrutiny is free safety, where Tebucky Jones will be among those trying to tighten up a defense that allowed 20 points or more in all but one game in 2002. Jones, who signed a seven-year, $29.25 million deal with the Saints after he was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots, combines the speed and cover skills of a cornerback with the size of an outside linebacker at 6 feet, 2 inches and 230 pounds. "He's a big man," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "He's got a certain presence out there. I think he's ready to blossom." Jones started for the Patriots in their stunning Super Bowl XXXVI win over the St. Louis Rams -- a victory which came in his new home stadium -- and Haslett expects Jones to bring that winning edge to the Saints' defense. Haslett said it all starts with Jones' versatility. "We had problems last year when teams came out with three and four wide receivers and you don't know what you were getting," Haslett said. "They mask it and they've got halfbacks like Deuce (McAllister) that can go out and play wide receiver. If you don't have a safety that can go out and cover and play some man-to-man or disguise and play zone and go out and play bump and do some different things than blitz, I think you're limiting yourself on defense. "Tebucky gives us that ability that we don't have to worry about having 10 personnel groupings." He said. "He'll get more reps if we have one, two, three personnel groupings and he can see things more. I think this gives you flexibility in your defense that we haven't had since I've been here." "Tebucky has speed and range, and he's a big man," said defensive coordinator Rick Venturi. "He gives you a little different dimension at safety than you normally would have. I've always liked him."