saintz08

New Orleans

The Saints lost only one key player — FB Terrelle Smith — from their starting lineup during the offseason, but it seemed as though they solved the problem by signing ex-Bills FB Sam Gash. Gash is considered one of the better lead blockers in the game and appeared to be the perfect fit to blow open holes for RB Deuce McAllister. But times have changed dramatically. We’re told head coach Jim Haslett and his staff became less enchanted with Gash once they got a good look at him, and his recent arthroscopic knee surgery may convince the Saints that they should go in another direction. Sources say the team believes Gash has lost a step or two and isn’t the player it thought it was getting when it signed him. We hear Haslett plans to go with more one-back sets while rookie Mike Karney gets his feet wet. Gash, meanwhile, likely will be released prior to training camp.