Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

Saints notes: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
By Brady Aymond
Louisiana Gannett News

METAIRIE -- With Jason David scheduled to be out 4-6 weeks with a broken bone in his forearm, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday that veteran Fred Thomas, Jason Craft and rookie Usama Young would likely split time at the cornerback spot opposite Mike McKenzie.
"We have some flexibility," Payton said. "We'll be able to put Fred Thomas in there. Jason Craft and Fred both have experience and Usama (Young) has been playing well. We'll see how the week unfolds, but we have some flexibility with those three guys. Those are the three guys you saw all during training camp."
Craft has seen action in all three games this season, mostly as the team's nickel back. Craft has made eight tackles and one pass breakup this season.
"It doesn't change. I still have to go out there and do my job and help the team any way I can," Craft said of his approach to this week's game against Carolina on Sunday in the Louisiana Superdome. "It's obvious we're all hungry for a win. Everything has to come together."Thomas was inactive the first three games and hasn't seen action since the preseason. He played in all five preseason games and started two of them. He finished the preseason with 12 tackles and two pass breakups.
"I don't go out there with anything to prove," Thomas said of finally getting his chance. "You go out there with that attitude and you end up trying too hard to make something happen and you make a mistake."
Young has played in all three games, but saw his first action on defense against Tennessee two Mondays ago. Young broke up one pass.

The Town Talk - www.thetowntalk.com - Alexandria-Pineville, Louisiana

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

actually we did better with our so called worse at the helm......
and the beat goes on............
and the beat goes on...........
drums keep pounding rythme to the brain.........
and the beat goes on...........
and the beat goes on...........
i miss sonny...............................................

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

Young, Young, Young,........ YOUNG!!!!!!

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

Nobody could be worse than Jason David in those first three games. Sure he had a TD (which was kind of a fluke) and an interception, he got burned four times for a touchdown. The guy is terrible. He showed no instincts, and did not play physically at all. Yuck

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

hell, put Fred Thomas in there. hell, put me in there. Either way at least you`d have somebody specifically to blame.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

David was going to get better as he played more in this system. I just hope the CB's that are playing for David will play well.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

I'm pretty high on this kid. He's made a nice play in the Tenn game and hasn't seen much action outside of ST. I say give him the bulk of the PT under the premise that it can't get worse so let the rookies have some playing time.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

^^^ agreed...from what i saw, he's a smart player and can be very physical. he'll BE very very good.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

From a scheme standpoint, he seems to be the closest thing to a M2M corner we've got. He's got the long arms, a 36+ in. verticle, 4.39 speed and from all reports, he's a really smart kid (academic all-american, maybe?).

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

This is what I've been saying since training camp. The kid is Al Harris-like. I think he'll be great. :handguns:

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

===

So do we get to play 12 players on defense? I bet Jason Craft and Usama Young have to be as good as Champ Bailey by himself. That is the only way we could cover someone unless the D line starts playing better.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

We need more than 12 in order to stop anyone. I think 18 might do it.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

I just want to see anybody on our defense play physical. I can live with getting beat, but I just need someone to help me remember ONE GOOOOD lick since Philly in the playoffs...just one receiver who thinks twice about crossing our middle. How may guys have had to re-buckle their chin strap after a defensive play?????I'm thinking...coming up blank. If we start busting ass, even if we are getting beat...it would surely make it easier to swallow.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

I am on the bandwagon as well. Young will be good for the D! The time I have seen him on the field, he looked good IMO.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

Well, not much was accomplished with David, and we all know the history of Thomas and Craft. With not much else to lose, I am on board with you guys, Young should be the guy. Let this guy take his lumps and bruises and lets see what he is all about.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

For those who aren't up on U. Young:

New Orleans Saints - 404

Remember this kid had a strained quad earlier in the preseason....may be the reason he's been held back.

Re: Platoon planned at corner in David's absence
 

I want to see Usama play. Good luck Usama