Danno

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...0193259460.xml

Excerpts...
"I've hardly had any injuries before," Grant said. "My knee is fine. It is mostly mental. Getting the (doctor's) nod let me know, no matter what, push through."

Grant needs to be 100 percent. The competition for the starting middle linebacker position is expected to be one of the most competitive battles of the offseason. Five-year veteran Orlando Ruff has the advantage of experience. Rookie Courtney Watson, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, has impressed coaches with his aptitude and leadership qualities.

Recognizing the opportunity at hand, Grant reported to the camp six weeks before the rest of the roster to work with linebackers coach Winston Moss and learn the complexities of the position. He also used the time to increase his strength and body weight to 245 pounds.
Grant said he's also eager to end the criticism his position group has endured throughout the offseason.

"We take it personal," Grant said. "We had a young linebacker corps this past year. Other than Darrin Smith, nobody had more than five years in the league. Guys need some time to come into their own. I think after practice one, a lot of guys are showing a lot of improvement. It's going to be up to us to quiet the critics about our play."

NOTABLE ABSENCES: Veteran cornerback Ashley Ambrose and rookies Will Smith and Rodney Leslie were the only players among the 84 under contract who missed Tuesday's workout. Ambrose had permission to miss time because of personal reasons, Haslett said. Because of NFL rules, Smith and Leslie can't report until their classes graduate later this summer. Defensive ends Darren Howard (wrist) and Willie Whitehead (knee), safety Tebucky Jones (ankle), tight end Ernie Conwell (foot) and center LeCharles Bentley (knee) were present, but did not participate in contact drills while rehabbing injuries.

ROSTER CHANGES: Veteran wide receiver Donté Stallworth worked with the first-team offense opposite Joe Horn and appears to have moved ahead of veteran Jerome Pathon in the starting lineup. Montrae Holland started at right guard. Jamar Nesbit split time with veteran Jerry Fontenot at center in Bentley's absence. With Howard, Whitehead and Will Smith out, Kenny Smith started at right defensive end.

ETC.: Veteran running back Ki-Jana Carter joined the team after signing a one-year contract. He is expected to compete for a reserve running-back spot behind Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker. . . . Rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson flashed his speed early in team drills when he blew past the secondary on a go route down the right sideline. It all went for naught, though, as the former LSU standout dropped the perfectly placed pass from Aaron Brooks near the goal line. Henderson dropped another ball later and spent extra time on the Juggs gun after practice.

GumboBC

Cie Grant is my (sleeper) pick to make the biggest impact this year. I\'ve read everything I can find about his college playing days and one thing is clear. This guy likes to hit. One other thing is this guy can run.

Cie\'s natural postion was MLB. When Ohio\'s starting cornerback went down with an injury, Cie was put in at cornerback. There aren\'t too many guys on the college level that can play MLB and cornerback.

The problem Cie had at Ohio was he was so versatile, he played too many positions, including safety, and never got enough playing time at MLB.

Haslett said Cie is one of the most instictive MLB he\'s seen. If that\'s true, then we\'ve got someone with Ray Lewis\' speed and now he\'s up to 245.

Cie reported 6-weeks earlier than anyone else. Sounds like a guy that wants to play. Right now Cie is the starter heading into training camp and I don\'t think Watson is going to beat him out. Watson is more finesse and Grant is power and speed. You gotta like the fact there\'s some quality competetion at MLB this year. Unlike last year.



[Edited on 19/5/2004 by GumboBC]

saintfan

Well, it was goin great \'til I got to that part.

WhoDat

Hey, I\'m just glad to hear about Watson and Grant. Maybe the MLB position will finally be filled with a player capable of being a stand-out. That\'s huge, and I like the sound of it.

I will also go on record and say I like the resigning of Carter. I thought he did a fine job last season in reserve and continue to think the guy may just have something left. He won\'t ever be a starter again, but having a former first round pick as your backup doesn\'t hurt. Injuries killed his career more than anything else. If he can stay healthy, the guy should still have SOME talent. No?

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

D_it_up

I agree, WhoDat. Ki-Jana Carter is a more than capable 3rd option off the bench at the position. It\'s true that he never lived up to the hype that was put on him in college, but then again, what Penn State running back ever has? With Deuce, Aaron Stecker, and Carter the Saints have great depth. Good move, Saints.

I\'m also excited to hear about Cie Grant\'s progress from injury, his weight gain, and his instinctiveness. I believe he\'ll be a HUGE asset to the Saints defense this year. Maybe they can finally have a solid linebacking corps, though I\'m still a little worried about the outside positions. Overall, I think they should be much more improved than last year as long as everyone is healthy and can stay on the field.

Can you smell it? *Sniff, sniff* Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! It\'s right around the corner, my friends. Football season is upon us. It just can\'t get here fast enough.

People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.