tiggerpolice

The addition of veteran WR Az-Zahir Hakim bolsters the depth and experience at the receiver position. It also indicates the club is not sold on second-year speedster Devery Henderson as the No. 3 wideout. Henderson was enjoying a strong offseason until being sidelined by a hamstring injury. That setback concerned team officials, who still believe Henderson has the skills to be a starter. Still, the club didn't want to risk going into the season without a proven veteran reserve behind starters Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth. Hakim was a productive slot receiver in St. Louis and Detroit and is more comfortable in that role than at the two outside receiver spots at this stage of his career. The Saints had planned to use Stallworth as the primary slot receiver before Hakim's acquisition. That is likely to change now. . . .

Veteran defensive lineman Willie Whitehead could be in danger of losing his roster spot. During offseason workouts, veteran Tony Bryant filled the swingman role Whitehead occupied in recent seasons. Bryant's emergence as a steady contributor, coupled with the presence of promising young linemen Jimmy Verdon, Jason Jefferson and Rodney Leisle, would render Whitehead the odd man out.


SCOUTING REPORT: Veteran strong safety Jay Bellamy has blossomed into a team leader in recent years after nearly being cut two seasons ago. Bellamy is smart, tough and knows the defense as well as any player on the roster. The 12-year veteran struggles to make plays in space and is primarily a run defender at this stage of his career. He's at his best in run support or blitzing from the box. His role will be reduced slightly this season. Rookie standout Josh Bullocks showed such strong ball skills in practice that he supplanted Bellamy in nickel and dime packages. Still, Bellamy is a favorite of coordinator Rick Venturi because of his reliability and leadership and will continue to see considerable playing time.


COACH UNDER PRESSURE: Defensive coordinator Rick Venturi is regarded as a cerebral strategist, but his defenses have ranked near the bottom of the league in his three seasons at the helm. Many fans called for his head after the defense ranked last in the league last year and were shocked to see him retained for a fourth season. Coach Jim Haslett considers Venturi a mentor and is extremely loyal to him. Venturi's cause has been hampered by questionable personnel decisions (safety Tebucky Jones, linebacker Cie Grant and defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan) and sub-standard play at middle linebacker. Nonetheless, his unit needs to improve, or he could be forced to move upstairs into a front-office position next season.


TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: Grade: D. Veteran Ernie Conwell is well past his prime, and Boo Williams was a bust as a starter. This unit is the biggest question mark on offense.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=18