Pick your dark horse....

lumm0x · 06-24-2004, 09:27 AM

Just a little prognostication exercise for members. Who do you think will be a surprise player for the Saints this season, in a good or bad way, and explain why?

I'll kick it off with my dark horse

Mel Mitchell
Should have been our starting SS last season, but now looks to be depth at the safety position because of Bellamy's career year. The move to SS clearly rejuvenated Jay's life as a starter by playing him to a strength we never knew he possessed. Mitchell has his work cut out not only coming off a serious injury, but reclaiming a starting role. I think he will play lights out special teams for a few games and get some serious notice. Coaches will start to see the possible defensive alternatives his speed and aggression can bring to the field and by week 4 he will be seeing considerable time as a starter, possibly spelling Bellamy on some true passing downs or in a 3 safety scheme. By seasons end....and here's the kicker.....Saints fans as well as some sportswriters will take great notice of his hard hitting style and he will be mentioned in the same breath as Roy Williams in terms of feared hitters in the secondary. Not an immediate Pro-Bowler by any means, but a corner stone of our secondary for some time.

06-24-2004, 09:27 AM	#1
lumm0x Resident antediluvian Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,026	Pick your dark horse.... Just a little prognostication exercise for members. Who do you think will be a surprise player for the Saints this season, in a good or bad way, and explain why? I'll kick it off with my dark horse Mel Mitchell Should have been our starting SS last season, but now looks to be depth at the safety position because of Bellamy's career year. The move to SS clearly rejuvenated Jay's life as a starter by playing him to a strength we never knew he possessed. Mitchell has his work cut out not only coming off a serious injury, but reclaiming a starting role. I think he will play lights out special teams for a few games and get some serious notice. Coaches will start to see the possible defensive alternatives his speed and aggression can bring to the field and by week 4 he will be seeing considerable time as a starter, possibly spelling Bellamy on some true passing downs or in a 3 safety scheme. By seasons end....and here's the kicker.....Saints fans as well as some sportswriters will take great notice of his hard hitting style and he will be mentioned in the same breath as Roy Williams in terms of feared hitters in the secondary. Not an immediate Pro-Bowler by any means, but a corner stone of our secondary for some time.