Saints Team Report

saintz08 · 03-29-2004, 02:20 AM

Saints Team Report

Jeff Duncan

Sporting news

The team is optimistic Mel Mitchell can push Jay Bellamy for the starting strong safety job. Mitchell, who is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury, has better size and speed than Bellamy and could team with Tebucky Jones and form the club's most athletic safety combination in years.

The Saints filled one of their last needs by signing free-agent OL Jamar Nesbit, who will bolster the depth inside and give the team

an experienced backup in case starting Gs Montrae Holland or Kendyl Jacox get hurt. Nesbit's addition also frees up OL Spencer Folau to return to his normal position, tackle.

OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: Look for the Saints to return to the wide-open, big-play attack that lit up the league in the first half of the 2002 season. The limited availability of WR Donte' Stallworth and injuries on defense forced the offense to be more conservative last season. When he's available, Stallworth causes matchup problems for defenses that roll their coverages to WR Joe Horn's side. If Stallworth is healthy, the best personnel group likely will be a three-receiver or two-tight end alignment with RB Deuce McAllister as the only back. Either set would give QB Aaron Brooks five bona fide receiving threats and speed at each skill position. The interior line--new C LeCharles Bentley, Holland and Jacox--should be more powerful at the point of attack, allowing the ground game to use more traps and pulling plays.

03-29-2004, 02:20 AM	#1
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Saints Team Report Saints Team Report Jeff Duncan Sporting news The team is optimistic Mel Mitchell can push Jay Bellamy for the starting strong safety job. Mitchell, who is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury, has better size and speed than Bellamy and could team with Tebucky Jones and form the club's most athletic safety combination in years. The Saints filled one of their last needs by signing free-agent OL Jamar Nesbit, who will bolster the depth inside and give the team an experienced backup in case starting Gs Montrae Holland or Kendyl Jacox get hurt. Nesbit's addition also frees up OL Spencer Folau to return to his normal position, tackle. OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: Look for the Saints to return to the wide-open, big-play attack that lit up the league in the first half of the 2002 season. The limited availability of WR Donte' Stallworth and injuries on defense forced the offense to be more conservative last season. When he's available, Stallworth causes matchup problems for defenses that roll their coverages to WR Joe Horn's side. If Stallworth is healthy, the best personnel group likely will be a three-receiver or two-tight end alignment with RB Deuce McAllister as the only back. Either set would give QB Aaron Brooks five bona fide receiving threats and speed at each skill position. The interior line--new C LeCharles Bentley, Holland and Jacox--should be more powerful at the point of attack, allowing the ground game to use more traps and pulling plays.
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020