BillyCarpenter1

Speed to burn
Saints: Quickness must translate to the games
Nakia Hogan / The Times
Posted on August 7, 2003

Avery Matthews / The Times




METAIRIE - The hole for Saints speedy running back Deuce McAllister opened. But just as he revved up to dart through the defense during a recent training camp practice, it closed.

At this time a year ago, McAllister would have easily sprinted for a touchdown. Now, he gets only a minimal gain.

It isn't that McAllister has lost a step. His counterparts on defense have just gained a few.

"You can see all the new speed," said McAllister, who has been timed in 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash. "Just at certain positions, you can tell they are faster. On paper and in practice it looks (like we are one of the NFL's fastest teams), but if you can't prove it in a game, then it doesn't matter."

On paper, the Saints have upgraded the overall speed of their team, especially on defense, where the team has brought in enough fleet-footed players to rival those on its game-breaking offense.

"They are fast," said wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash in as fast as 4.18 seconds. "The defense is really faster. The main goal in the off-season was to upgrade the defense's speed. And I think the coaches felt like they did that pretty well."

After a late-season collapse a year ago, the Saints' front office decided it needed upgrades in speed at the safety position.

Out went Pro Bowler Sammy Knight and in came Mel Mitchell, a reserve last season who has 4.4 speed. Fellow safety Jay Bellamy went to the bench, and a trade was made for Tebucky Jones, who has already started showing off his 4.3 speed in coverage.

The Saints also have speed at linebacker. Starting strongside linebacker Sedrick Hodge is a former Georgia state sprint champion, while weakside linebackers James Allen (4.5) and Derrick Rodgers (4.5) are only a half-step behind.

There's plenty of quickness on the defensive line as well. Rookie first-round draft pick Johnathan Sullivan, a 300-pounder, ran a 4.9 40 for the Saints, and 285-pound defensive end Charles Grant was timed in a 4.6.

But it'll take more than speed for the Saints to be successful this season.

"You can be fast, but if you don't execute effort and run to the ball, then it's really nonexistent," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "The emphasis was to improve our overall speed. But really, all 11 guys have to get to the football on every snap."

Offensively, the Saints are as fast and explosive as any team in the NFL. Stallworth, McAllister, Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn and All-Pro kick returner Michael Lewis all scored touchdowns of 40 yards or longer.

With that nucleus plus several other weapons, the Saints could rival the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" as perhaps the fastest team in league.

"Right now, it's hard to compare because we haven't played a game yet. But, obviously, this team has tremendous speed," said tight end Ernie Conwell, who spent seven seasons with the explosive Rams.

"The key is not necessarily how fast you are, but it is how fast you play. That is something the Rams take a lot of pride in. They don't necessarily think they are the fastest team in the league, but they feel like they can play as fast as anybody. That's the difference. This team has a tremendous amount of speed, but we need to make sure that we are playing with that speed."

The coaching staff has made it a point to make sure the players know their assignments on each play, saying it's important to be able to execute at a fast pace and not have to think about their responsibilities.

"That's what we are working on right now, making sure we get this offense and defense and special teams down to where it just becomes instinctive to us," Conwell said. "Then we can go out and just play full speed. And if we play at full speed, this team is as fast as anyone."



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