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The New Orleans Saints made some free-agent acquisitions this offseason to lessen their need to fill certain positions in this week's NFL draft, but coach Sean Payton still sees some areas he wants the team to address.

Speaking after participating in the Zurich Classic's Celebrity Shootout at TPC Louisiana in Avondale on Tuesday (April 24), Payton said the Saints still need to add a defensive end, offensive lineman, tight end and linebacker.



The Saints have made moves at all of those positions this offseason, but long-term needs remain at those spots. Still, because of the additions, the Saints won't be tempted to reach to fill the holes.

"There's a handful of positions that we'll look to address and yet we'll be smart about how they fall," Payton said.

The exact spots Payton listed as needs were a "pressure player." The first time he mentioned this, he said defensive end in the same breath, but anyone who can pressure the quarterback would help the defense. At defensive end, the Saints re-signed Alex Okafor and George Johnson and younger players Hau'oli Kikaha, Trey Hendrickson and Al Quadin Muhammad will battle for playing time, too.

Payton also said sixth offensive lineman without specifying the position. The Saints this offseason lost Senio Kelemete, a versatile backup who played more than 60 percent of snaps each of the past two years. They added Jermon Bushrod who has position flexibility, but that's just a one-year deal.

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SmashMouth

CheramieIII

Is that Tricky Rickey? Wow can't we sign him for DT?

jnormand

I do miss having an intimidating guy like Rickey Jackson as an OLB. The guy still looks mean even when he's just talking to people. I loved that snow plow he had for a facemask after his jaw got broken. ****in sweet!!

K Major

LOL ! I was thinking the same thing when I saw the picture. My dad was a huge fan of RJ although he wanted Hugh Green in that 81 draft.

Jackson's scowl is legendary. What a dominant player he was.

Papa Voodoo

He used to play at the Pontchartrain course near the lake all the time (pre-Katrina). We'd walk in to the clubhouse and he would be sitting there having a hot dog like everyone else. As dominant of a player and imposing of a man that he is; he is actually very nice. He also relocated a square foot of sod every time he hit the ball