New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks

papz · 08-10-2012, 08:14 AM

Three Thoughts
1.) The Saints drafted defensive tackle Akiem Hicks as a little bit of a gamble. He was recruited by LSU, so he had SEC talent. But after getting embroiled in an NCAA investigation, he never played for the Tigers and ended up at a Direct TV call center before college at the University of Regina in Canada. In other words, there was question as to not just how quickly he would adapt to the NFL, but if he would adapt.

Thursday night, Hicks impressed. He was active up front and caused havoc up in the middle. On cornerback Marquis Johnson’s interception, Hicks pushed his blocker far enough back that Mallett couldn’t step into his throw. That made it easy for Johnson to pick up the interception.

“I was coming across to the B gap and then I saw him starting to set soft,” Hicks said as he described the play. “I turned speed into power and took him back to Mallett and put him down. It was a good feeling.”

If he continues with what he showed Thursday night, he could become a key contributor for the Saints’ defense. And that doesn’t bode well for Tom Johnson, who mysteriously wasn’t with the Saints in Boston this week. Hicks has earned more playing time and trust and his arrow could be pointing way up.

Vitt wouldn’t comment specifically on Thursday night’s game, but he did say it was “fun to watch.”

But Vitt paid him the ultimate compliment.

“I know what we have in the player,” Vitt said. “We have a big, athletic, passionate player who wants to get better every day. Guys like that, to a degree, are rare. I don’t know that this player knows how good he can be.”

Full article

|Mitch| · 08-10-2012, 08:19 AM

Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has four takeaways in two games, a seemingly insane statistic considering how few and far between turnovers were a season ago.

Very Cool!

SmashMouth · 08-10-2012, 08:19 AM

Good to hear... it's not like we don't need guys like him.

Crusader · 08-10-2012, 08:29 AM

Great read!

TheOak · 08-10-2012, 08:31 AM

The fact that he thought his way through the play is a big plus. We need more thinking players and less reactionary players.

SmashMouth · 08-10-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by x626xBlack

The fact that he thought his way through the play is a big plus. We need more thinking players and less reactionary players.

This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound.

the-commish · 08-11-2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound.

Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position.

Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

Utah_Saint · 08-11-2012, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by the-commish

Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position.

Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

Spagnuolo loves guys that can play more than one position.

Rugby Saint II · 08-10-2012, 05:00 PM

Man, it would be nice if he caught on quickly.

Boutte · 08-10-2012, 05:42 PM

Maybe we're finally having some of the luck (or whatever it is) finding defenders that we've had finding offensive gems.

08-10-2012, 08:14 AM	#1
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,774	New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Three Thoughts 1.) The Saints drafted defensive tackle Akiem Hicks as a little bit of a gamble. He was recruited by LSU, so he had SEC talent. But after getting embroiled in an NCAA investigation, he never played for the Tigers and ended up at a Direct TV call center before college at the University of Regina in Canada. In other words, there was question as to not just how quickly he would adapt to the NFL, but if he would adapt. Thursday night, Hicks impressed. He was active up front and caused havoc up in the middle. On cornerback Marquis Johnson’s interception, Hicks pushed his blocker far enough back that Mallett couldn’t step into his throw. That made it easy for Johnson to pick up the interception. “I was coming across to the B gap and then I saw him starting to set soft,” Hicks said as he described the play. “I turned speed into power and took him back to Mallett and put him down. It was a good feeling.” If he continues with what he showed Thursday night, he could become a key contributor for the Saints’ defense. And that doesn’t bode well for Tom Johnson, who mysteriously wasn’t with the Saints in Boston this week. Hicks has earned more playing time and trust and his arrow could be pointing way up. Vitt wouldn’t comment specifically on Thursday night’s game, but he did say it was “fun to watch.” But Vitt paid him the ultimate compliment. “I know what we have in the player,” Vitt said. “We have a big, athletic, passionate player who wants to get better every day. Guys like that, to a degree, are rare. I don’t know that this player knows how good he can be.” Full article Attached Thumbnails SapperSaint, RockyMountainSaint and Boutte like this.
	Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege. All little common sense goes a long way.

08-10-2012, 08:19 AM	#2
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has four takeaways in two games, a seemingly insane statistic considering how few and far between turnovers were a season ago. Very Cool!

08-10-2012, 08:19 AM	#3
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,553 Blog Entries: 29	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Good to hear... it's not like we don't need guys like him.

08-10-2012, 08:29 AM	#4
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,033	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Great read!

08-10-2012, 08:31 AM	#5
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,043	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks The fact that he thought his way through the play is a big plus. We need more thinking players and less reactionary players.

08-10-2012, 09:18 AM	#6
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,553 Blog Entries: 29	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by x626xBlack The fact that he thought his way through the play is a big plus. We need more thinking players and less reactionary players. This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound.

08-11-2012, 09:40 PM	#7
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by SmashMouth This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound. Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position. Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

08-11-2012, 11:32 PM	#8
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by the-commish Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position. Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games. Spagnuolo loves guys that can play more than one position.

08-10-2012, 05:00 PM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,133	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Man, it would be nice if he caught on quickly.

08-10-2012, 05:42 PM	#10
Boutte Site Donor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belle Chasse Posts: 1,701	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Maybe we're finally having some of the luck (or whatever it is) finding defenders that we've had finding offensive gems. SapperSaint likes this.

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