SmashMouth

Minicamp is a necessary evil. The New Orleans Saints, like every other team in the NFL, can't wear pads or engage in full contact so what transpires on the football field is anything but football.

Therefore, it's difficult -- it not futile -- to evaluate line play during offseason practice other than to gauge players' physical condition.
And forget pass rush and pass protection drills. They are largely useless during this time of year, and that's a shame because pass rush remains the biggest question mark for these Saints. It certainly will be a focal point for me during training camp workouts.



With that in mind, it's wise to concentrate on the perimeter players during minicamps and offseason practices, and this is where I think the Saints have made some major improvements from last season. They are noticeably deeper and more athletic in the secondary and perimeter receiving corps. These areas look like strengths going into the season.

Here are some observations from the Saints' three-day minicamp:

--Fantasy owners should consider rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas in their fall drafts. The second-round pick from Ohio State already has gained the trust of Drew Brees. That's a huge positive sign for him.

--Second-year cornerback P.J. Williams is playing with more confidence and is starting to look like a former third-round draft pick. Talent has never been the issue with Williams. He has ability and size-speed ratio NFL coaches want in a starting NFL corner. Now he just needs to put it all together on the field. If he can stay healthy and consistent he is a strong candidate to man the nickel or dime spot in sub-packages.

--A player always emerges during this time of year and this is no exception. The buzz around safety Erik Harris has been consistent. At 6-3, 225, he certainly looks the part. The interesting thing about Harris is his position. He played a hybrid linebacker position in the Canadian Football League but is playing safety for the Saints and primarily the free safety spot. You don't see many free safeties with his size in the NFL.

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