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Sheldon Mickles
Advocate Sportswriter


Hardly anyone noticed when the New Orleans Saints signed former University of Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King to the practice squad just before the 2010 season finale against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

And no one batted an eye when King, who played in four games with the Indianapolis Colts last season, was signed to a futures contract by the Saints before the lockout of players by the owners.

Take a quick glance at the 6-foot-2, 280-pounder and you’ll see why King looks out of place alongside the other members of the interior of the Saints defensive line - namely Shaun Rogers (6-4, 350), Aubrayo Franklin (6-1, 317), Sedrick Ellis (6-1, 307) and Swanson Miller (6-4, 310).

But, as King and Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson will tell you, it’s not always about size in the NFL. Which is why King has flashed some skills in his team’s first two exhibition games.

“Mitch plays with a lot of effort, a lot of effort and energy,” said Johnson. “I’ll be honest, when he came in here I thought he was just a guy that came in for a camp-roster spot.”

“But he’s been a big surprise to me,” he said. “He’s a good football player with good instincts.”

Full article below.
‘A big surprise’ | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.