RockyMountainSaint

Akiem Hicks to be a defensive end in Saints 3-4 defense | ProFootballTalk
With new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan taking control of the New Orleans Saints defense, there were bound to be some changes to scheme and personnel as the Saints attempt to overhaul a defense that ranked dead last in the league last season.

One of those moves will be shifting a player to a new spot on the defensive line.


According to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Akiem Hicks is starting out as a defensive end in the Saints new scheme.

Hicks was expected to be a nose tackle with the ability to also slide out to the defensive end position with the Saints. However, after selecting defensive tackle John Jenkins in the third round, the Saints felt he could better be utilized at defensive end. Though Hicks will initially be called upon to play the end position, he’ll likely be used all along the Saints defensive front.

Hicks appeared in 14 games last season for the Saints. He recorded 20 tackles and a forced fumble as a rotational lineman.

New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

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FinSaint

Really?! By whom?!

I would've thought that it was pretty obvious after the Saints picked Jenkins in the draft that Hicks wouldn't have to line up on or off the center?

He clearly best suits the DE position in the 3-4 base and his skill-set and physical traits would've been somewhat wasted as an NT.

saintsfan1976

Nice to see our D line "taking shape". lol

Talk about some space-eaters... Our blitzers will have a field day!

dizzle88

Akiem hicks is going to be a beast, cam jordan is already one of my favourite players, letsvsee what you got jenkins!

Seer1

So I'm reading here that Garage Door Jenkins has already made the team and will see some significant playing time. Or am I reading too much into this? And yes Fin, there was a bunch of stuff about Hicks being over the center. I too think his place is on the end.

SaintnDE

That's funnah right there...I don't care who you are...that's funnah.

Danno

Its like I wrote it myself! He's a perfect prospect for a 3-4 DE.

Jordan, Bunkley, Jenkins, Hicks, Coleman, Johnson and Smith might give us the best D-line we've had in a very long time. Will Smith might be the weakest link in that group. Wow.

Rugby Saint II

Don't worry.......Smith might not make the final roster from the looks of things.
Also, I always thought Hicks would pair nicely with Cam Jordan and give us two dominant book ends. I still see him playing DT occasionally depending on the package. I am very excited to see how much more he progresses after last years huge leap.

halloween 65

I like so far what Ryan is doing, and I also don't think Smith makes it on the team.

|Mitch|

Aren't we hamstrung by Smith's contract? I think he has to make the team just for the cap hit alone...