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Saints Team Report

Jeff Duncan / Sporting News

WR Germane Crowell might be the steal of the offseason. Crowell, a former Lion, did not play in 2003 while rehabilitating a knee injury. Doctors have given him a clean bill of health, and he has performed well in offseason workouts. Crowell (6-3, 216) is powerfully built and could give QB Aaron Brooks the physical inside target he has lacked since WR Willie Jackson left after the 2001 season.



TE Ernie Conwell is recovering from offseason foot surgery. The emergence of Boo Williams last season allows the team to be cautious with Conwell's rehab, so he is not participating in contact drills. When healthy, Conwell is a solid all-around player.

CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS

Fred Thomas, Jason Craft and Ashley Ambrose are solid, not spectacular. Depth is a major question. Thomas (5-9, 184) is undersized and doesn't have top speed, but he's instinctive and tough. He is physical at the line and plays the run well. Craft is a lot like Thomas, although he might be a step faster. At 33, Ambrose no longer is a starting-caliber corner, but he compensates for his age with savvy and intelligence. He'll be the club's nickel back but will play outside because he's not as physical in the slot as Craft or Thomas. Keyuo Craver and Fakhir Brown, who don't have great speed, are competing for the dime spot and could push Ambrose for the No. 3 role if they have good training camps.