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One very important New Orleans Saints defensive player to keep your eye on in 2013 is second-year defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.

Hicks, who the Saints selected in the third round in 2012, had a baptism by fire last season, and while he showed his inexperience and a lack of good techniques at times, he also showed that athletically he is the most talented big man the Saints have along their defensive line.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan is not a gold chip NFL performer, but he is a good blue chip player. Jordan excels in stopping the run, but last season he displayed good pass-rush skills at times and the ability to close in fast on a quarterback.

For Hicks, if the light comes on for him like it did for Jordan in 2012, he has a chance to be a special defensive lineman.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound defensive lineman is being played across the board in Rob Ryan’s new defensive 3-4 format.

“They are preparing me for every spot up front,” Hicks said. “I’m working at defensive end, nose tackle and playing the 3-technique. I like playing defensive end. It gives me an opportunity to use my athleticism and my speed coming off the ball. To be honest I am really a power-type player, but I surprise people on how quick I am coming off the ball. It’s a lot of one-on-one stuff at defensive end. When you play inside you are taking on a lot of double-team blocking. It’s adjusting and seeing what is best for me to excel and what is best for the team. It doesn’t matter where they play me, I just want to compete and play.”

Read more: Hicks key for Saints | HoumaToday.com

saintsfan1976

Don't look now... Saints have a defensive line!

jeanpierre

Imagine that, we go from four to three defensive linemen and we look better?!?

Now if the Linebackers can shoot the gaps, penetrate, and neutralize the passer, we may have something...

But the best part is that the DL doesn't have to generate the pass rush, they simply have to trade there three bodies for the opposing offensive line's five bodies...

saintsfan1976

Imagine that. It's almost like Payton knew what he was doing before he was suspended, during his suspension and AFTER his suspension!

Lb'ers will be more a work in progress IMO than D line.

QBREES9

We look good on paper.

saintsfan1976

We look good in several languages. There will be growing pains but they'll far be outweighed by the other team's pain.

Mr.Riaton

Another thing is we will be using four D linemen at times....Jordan,Jenkins,Bunkley,Hicks sound good to me! Actually,if you put Jenkins and Hicks at DT, you should have success with almost anybody on the ends.

saintsfan1976

And a few DBacks who can tackle!!

Ashley

Can't wait to what he can do all season.

homerj07

Damn I hope the D is better