ssmitty

Sudden Impact!

Deke Bellavia Reporting

The Saints 2008 Season gets underway this weekend out on Airline Drive as fifty-seven new faces will audition for Sean Payton and his staff during Rookie Mini-Camp. Six draftees, sixteen undrafted free agents and thirty-five non-roster tryout invitees will all be in the fold for five practices to try and impress and make noise in hopes of being back when training camp opens in late July.

After the New York Giants had all eight of their 2007 draft picks make their team and contribute during their remarkable Super Bowl Season others are hoping to get the same type of impact from their draft classes.

Last season the Saints drafted seven players, with five making the club and of the five only two saw action in CB Usuma Young and 7th round draft choice LB Marvin Mitchell.

I think that we will all agree that the story of last season’s rookie class was that of a 5-11 210 RB from Illinois named Pierre Thomas. Thomas beat out fourth round pick RB Antonio Pittman and became the cream of the crop of last year’s class winning over the respect of fellow players and that of the Saints Coaching Staff as well.

With that said when you’re top pick does not smell the field then something is wrong as Robert Meachem was a first year bust. So what about the class of 2008? Which of the six draftees can or will make a sudden impact for the Saints?

The most likely candidates are DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracey Porter but nothing is a given. Ellis could be a huge impact player from day one providing he comes into camp in decent shape and he pans out like coaches project he will.

But to me Porter could be just as key. Two year’s ago when the Saints drafted SS Roman Harper many of us were scratching our heads wondering why another Safety but Harper was incredible for the Saints in 2006 before he went down with a season ending injury.

Porter could very well do the same this season especially with the status of CB Mike McKenzie still up in the air and the question mark on the other side in last season’s disappointment in Jason David. Basically the Saints are counting on Porter and Young to be the future at Corner Back and that future could be sooner than later.

And could there possibly be another Pierre Thomas in this year’s group of undrafted Free Agent Rookies? If so the Saints could be in store for one heck of a ride in 2008 and hopefully well into 2009!

Bottom line is that if the Saints get production out of this year’s class like they did last year’s class than another struggle to make the playoffs will be on the horizon but if the 2008 Class is anything like the Class of 2006 when four of eight players drafted became starters then the Saints will be playing in February and could possibly make it two straight for the NFC!

hagan714

I have to agree Porter and Young are both key this year. There development is critical. As to the rest of the 2006 draftees this year they will see the field and I am saying it now they will make us all happy. If this happens and I can keep my rose color glasses the draft and FA in 2009 will be to place the finishing touches on a super bowl caliber team.

QBREES9

Porter, Young and Meachem. Does Meachem have to report with the rookies.

thesaintsfan

LOL, they should make him report with the rookies. That is so crazy when you think about it, our rookie free agents have seen as much NFL playing time as our '07 first round pick. I just hope all this talk I've been hearing about how hard Meach has been working is true. Because let's face it, the guy was a first round pick for a reason, he has a ton of talent. I watched him some in college and he reminded me alot of Roy Williams when he was at Texas. If Meach is even 80% of the player Roy Williams has been in the NFL then he'll be a nice weapon to have.

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