jeanpierre

Michael Thomas instead of Sheldon Rankins?

Rankins doesn't like the spotlight; good, never liked a diva defensive lineman.

Hopefully optimistic...

K Major

JP you wild! Rankins was probably studying, preparing, working on his rip move . Seriously speaking, I'm not sure how they came about selecting rookies for the photo but at first glance, there were a lot of offensive players in this shoot.

JPPT1974

Morstead will be back kicking off as his injury prevented a lot of TB's last year.

jeanpierre

At age 27, Vincent Brown now Saints' oldest WR by far

jeanpierre

John DeShazier: Landon Turner has big opportunity with Saints

jeanpierre

Breaking down the New Orleans Saints roster entering OTAs | NOLA.com

jeanpierre

Chat with Larry Holder at 2 p.m. with Saints starting up OTAs this week | NOLA.com

Interesting take re: Saints solutions of finding players in-house vs free agency...

jeanpierre

Saints DE Bobby Richardson in For the Fight of His Life

Richardson overcame the odds last season to not only make the Saints final roster after going undrafted out of Indiana University, but to become the starter for the Saints at the designated rush defensive end opposite of Cam Jordan — also known as the 7-Technique.

But he faces the enormous task of holding off teammate and Saints 2nd year defensive end / outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha, whom the Saints plan on moving to that spot after having him at the strongside / “Sam” linebacker position at the end of last year.

The move of Kikaha to the 7-Technique is seen as beneficial by the Saints, since Kikaha is noted for having led the NCAA in sacks two years ago at that very same position.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Saints could also be looking at putting two other players in the line-up at times at the 7-Technique position as well, with 2nd year defensive end / outside linebacker Davis Tull (who like Kikaha has played both rush end and linebacker) and rookie 4th Round pick David Onyemeta — who was drafted as a defensive tackle but whom the Saints will give an extensive look at the defensive end position.

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

ChrisXVI

Hau'oli Kikaha now officially at 'edge' for New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com

Hau'oli Kikaha began 2015 as a strong-side linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.

He said he'll start his second year in the NFL as an edge rusher in base packages, confirming speculation about his new role that grew out of earlier comments from coach Sean Payton.

"I play an edge person -- whatever you want to call it," Kikaha said Thursday. "Jack, Buck, weak end. Sometimes a strong end. I'm not playing SAM (strong-side linebacker) anymore. It's a little bit different. It's fun. It's definitely fun."

Kikaha worked in the edge role during Thursday's organized team activity session that was open to the media.

Cam Jordan, who didn't participate, is expected to shift from Jack to strong-side end in the reconfigured defense.

In the base defense, John Jenkins is the top option at nose tackle, with rookie Sheldon Rankins battling veteran Nick Fairley for three-technique defensive tackle.

Kasim Edebali, who is also likely to push Kikaha at the Jack spot and provide depth in pass-rushing situations, worked on the sidelines with an athletic trainer and did not participate Thursday. Other options at the position could be Davis Tull and Obum Gwacham, who played both weak- and strong-side end on Thursday.

"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple of ways you can get out. One, is death; the other, is mental institutions."

hagan714

Hau'oli Kikaha to DE is the move I am watching the most.