payton pleased with practices....
 

Payton pleased with rookie practices
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune May 10, 2008 3:34PM
Categories: Saints
Saints Coach Sean Payton seems generally encouraged by what he's seen from the first two days of rookie minicamp practices. He gave positive reviews to the Saints' top two draft picks, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and cornerback Tracy Porter. He also had nice things to say about guard Carl Nicks and receiver Adrian Arrington, among others.


Practices are closed to the public and to the media, but Payton and players were made available between practice sessions on Saturday afternoon.

"It's hard to tell (who's standing out) because you've got such a mixed group," Payton said. "You've got to be mindful of who Porter's covering or who Ellis is beating on a double team, or who Nicks is blocking. I think you'll get a better indication of more specifically how they're doing with the veteran players (in full-squad practice sessions later this month).

"But I think overall I've been encouraged with what I've seen from the class in general. The big guard from Nebraska's done a good job of stepping in, Nicks. I think when you look at Ellis, he's been a pain in the rear for a couple days now, splitting some double teams and getting in the backfield. Porter showed some of the coverage skills that we were anticipating we'd see. And this Arrington has done a good job, the receiver we drafted late, of just handling the assignments. He's a pretty sharp kid."

Among the 64 players on the rookie camp roster are the Saints' draft picks, the undrafted free agents that the team signed last week, some players from last year's practice squad who have not accrued a full year in the league and several players who were invited for a three-day tryout.

Among those tryout players are LSU cornerback Jonathan Zenon and LSU receiver Josh McManus. Another interesting name is running back John David Washington, son of actor Denzel Washington, who spent the last two years on the St. Louis Rams' practice squad.

Re: payton pleased with practices....
 

I can't remember hearing of Ellis having a bad practice, game, or workout all offseason since he declared. I can't wait to see him in uniform and out there on the field. We finally got a potential stud DT... I've been waiting a very long time for this.

Re: payton pleased with practices....
 

I didn't know Zenon was at Saints Camp

Re: payton pleased with practices....
 

Jonathan Zenon ????? me either. Nice. i like him. he may not have the speed to be a CB but a year on PS I think he has the making for FS.

Re: payton pleased with practices....
 

I believe he ran a 4.5 at LSU's pro day... I think he has a legit shot at making the team at either CB or S.

Re: payton pleased with practices....
 

Jonathan Zenon, L.S.U., 5117, 176, 4.56, (CB/S tweener)
Zenon established himself as a ball hawk his junior year with 16 passes defended -- the second most in the Southeastern Conference -- and four interceptions. He also made 27 tackles, with 17 solo. That had many experts anticipating Zenon would have a breakout campaign this past season and emerge as one of the best cover corners in the nation. He wasn't bad in 2007; He had 45 tackles -- 32 solo -- with three interceptions, nine pass breakups and one forced fumble. Unfortunately for Zenon, LSU's other corner, Chevis Jackson, had an even more impressive campaign that has overshadowed Zenon's work. Zenon's size is his greatest asset. He won't be over matched physically by NFL receivers. He has good instincts for the ball, capitalizing on his above-average quickness. He has good agility and the change-of-direction skills to close on receivers. He has good leaping ability.
The biggest knock on Zenon is he has been inconsistent covering receivers in tight man-to-man coverage due to a lack of explosiveness and speed. He runs a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash, which puts him at a distinct disadvantage against deep threats. That means he likely needs to be in a cover 2 scheme to be successful.
But in the right scheme, he has the tools to be a solid NFL corner.

At 4.56 the only CB slower is M&M and he is not in camp. LOL He may make it. But I think FS in the long run would be great.