New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Simoneau holding on to position

Linebacker looks solid as he fights off competition

Thursday, August 02, 2007
By Mike Triplett

JACKSON, MISS. -- Linebacker Mark Simoneau's starting job appeared to be in jeopardy when the Saints signed free-agent veteran Brian Simmons. But so far this summer, Simoneau's grip doesn't appear to be loosening.

While Simmons has been coming along slowly after an offseason procedure on his knee, Simoneau has looked solid and steady in the middle of the Saints' defense.

"He's playing extremely well right now," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "He's having a very good camp. He had a good offseason. We haven't played any games, yet, but he has a great grasp of what we're doing. He knows what's going on in regards of getting the defense called. He's doing a good job for us."

Simoneau, who arrived late last summer in a trade from Philadelphia, was often ribbed by teammates about how he didn't have to go through the brutal training camp at Millsaps College.

But he caught on quickly and wound up starting every game at middle linebacker. He finished fourth on the team with 73 tackles.

An eighth-year veteran, Simoneau said he "definitely" considered it a challenge when the Saints signed Simmons. But he said that hasn't affected his motivation or his work ethic.

"It's added competition, but there's always going to be someone pushing you, whether it's a new guy or a rookie or another veteran on the roster," Simoneau said. "Regardless of who it is, your job is to do your best and get better every day. This is a hard camp, but I think it's necessary for us to get where we want to be."

NO RAIN: Payton laughed during his evening press conference when it briefly started to rain. In addition to all of his other attributes, the Saints coach seems to have control over the weather.

Through one full week of two-a-day practices, the Saints have not been interrupted by rain. The same thing happened last year for almost five weeks.

On Wednesday, it seemed as though the streak was sure to be broken when the sky turned dark around 3 p.m. and a consistent rumble of thunder filled the air. But even though it was pouring about a mile away, only a few drops landed on Millsaps' campus.

"We thought for sure it looked like it would rain, but we kind of figured it's not going to rain if there's practice," defensive end Will Smith said. "We've kind of come to grips with that."

As a consolation prize, Payton canceled the team's evening meetings and extended the players' curfew by 30 minutes Wednesday night.

"I almost felt sorry for them," Payton said.

ROSTER MOVES: The Saints signed defensive end Scott Scharff and tight end Ronnie Ghent on Wednesday to replace two injured defensive linemen. The Saints waived injured defensive end Jon Hamm and placed defensive tackle Lance Legree on injured reserve.

Scharff spent much of last season on the Saints' practice squad and was scheduled to be activated for their game against the 49ers before he experienced a season-ending knee injury. Ghent was released by the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago after spending the past two seasons on their practice squad.

The Saints also brought in quarterback Matt Baker for a tryout. Payton said it did not necessarily indicate that the Saints are unhappy with young quarterbacks Jason Fife and Tyler Palko, but they are constantly evaluating the talent available around the league. Baker was released by the Dallas Cowboys last week.

PRACTICE NOTES: A team of NFL officials arrived in Jackson on Tuesday night to brief the team on rule changes and points of emphasis -- an annual ritual throughout the league. They will stick around through Friday to officiate the Saints' practices and answer any questions from players and coaches. . . . Saftey Roman Harper was back at practice Wednesday afternoon, but he did not participate in team drills. Harper missed four practice sessions to rest his surgically repaired right knee, but Payton insisted the Saints don't have concerns about his health. . . . Cornerback Jason David and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy practiced with the first-team defense Wednesday. The veteran newcomers have begun to rotate into the lineup with incumbent starters Fred Thomas and Hollis Thomas. . . . Tailback Aaron Stecker will return to practice soon. His wife, Kara, gave birth to their second child, a boy named Dorsett Aaron Stecker, in Madison, Wis.