Danno

I stole this recap from another forum. Sorry if thats taboo...
On Courtney Watson--
--they had Courtney Watson ranked as #2 ILB behind Jonathan Vilma and the #1 OLB.
-They will start him out in the middle and give him a chance to START this year.
-He will battle Cie Grant. The loser will go to WLB. So, I think you can expect those two to start this year.
-Also, it was good to hear Jaws add that Watson was actually the #1 ranked MLB on most boards and according to most experts.
-Haslett said that he and Vilma are carbon copies of one another. Same measurables, both have great instincts, similar speed and ability. It is just that one player went to Notre Dame, one went to Miami. One guy had less around him than the other guy which means he gets elevated more.
--Pointed out that Watson returned four interceptions/fumbles for touchdowns.

Jaws added that he loved the pick because Watson brings speed and a nose for the football. A guy you can plug right in there. He has that pedigree coming from a disciplined system with Tyrone Willingham. Jaws also pointed out how guys get low rated because of where they played.

On Will Smith--
-Had him ranked 10th overall and did not feel like he would be there.
-Guy can do a lot of things for you. Can play both ends of the defensive line. Can also play LB in certain situations.
-Here's something interesting--said that Will Smith, with his speed and pass rushing ability can be a guy you use to spy the QB. Said he did some of that at OSU.
--Pointed out that Smith timed faster than Chris Gamble at the workout.
--Said in this league you can never have enough ends.

Jaws added that he loves the pick. Said that Will Smith will have a big impact by not having to be forced into it. Because you already have great ends in Howard and Grant. So he can ease into the rotation and all three guys will stay healthy and fresh and be able to dominate and get after the QB.

On Devery Henderson--
-Talked about his production. How he does a lot with a little.
-Has raw combination of speed, size and playmaking ability. (Let me add that McCarthy has the ability to separate and beat the bump and run).
-Said that he needs to become more consistent catching the football but he showed that improvement and the willingness to work hard.
--Believes he can get in there and play alot this year.

On Mike Karney--
-Wanted a fullback. Front Office did a good job of getting one.
-Karney can catch, but his main duty will be to block. Joked that they do not have enough balls to go around so he has told Karney to come in with the mindset to just block. And Karney is ready.

Overall, Haslett said that he likes all their picks and believe all can make team team even down to Colby Bockwoldt who they feel can get on the field, especially on special teams and use his speed.

He said they got guys with speed, but they wanted to get guys with character and smarts. He particularly talked about this with Courtney Watson. He said Watson is a smart player and that was important for them to get a player like that.

***I think that it is critical for those who think the Saints should have taken Dontarrius Thomas over Watson. I am not suggesting that Thomas is dumb or not a smart player. But Watson is a guy who brings a lot of intelligence and instincts to the position, moreso than Thomas and every LB in this draft except Vilma who he is equal to or slightly behind. So, that further explains that pick***

Also, Haslett was very candid. Loves their draft. And even pointed out that the only thing that we did not add in the draft that we would have liked to was a cornerback. Was honest about saying that there were only two guys that could have came in and started. Sometimes that's how it goes, but kind of alluded to the fact that you can still add a guy down the road to help at cornerback.

Jaws added to that point that DEs are a premium in this league and when you have three outstanding ones, you can have a dominating defense.

Overall, good interview. Again, they sat down with McCarthy and Venturi is on now. Said much of the same. Venturi is talking about how they love Watson and he like his ability to go sideline to sideline, his range and speed and intelligence and athleticism. He said he is a little like DJ Williams in that he is a former RB and that shows in that he has returned 2 interceptions. He said he is very good at both diagnosing plays and making plays on the ball. He said he is as equally effective against the run as he is against the pass and you have to like that. He said that Watson is not a thug type middle linebacker in that he is not a overly big kid, but he makes up for it big time with his speed, intelligence and instincts and athleticism.