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Haslett taking hard line with injured linebackers
8/15/2005, 6:04 p.m. CT
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Saints linebacking corps has been riddled with injuries this season and coach Jim Haslett is starting to think about a backup plan.


"I told them, 'In one or two weeks, we've got to figure out what to do with you guys — cut you, waive you, put you on (injured reserve) or something,'" Haslett said after practice on Monday. "We're not going like this the whole year. It's just the way it's going to be."

Those statements were aimed primarily at James Allen, Cie Grant and Roger Knight, all of whom were expected to play key roles this season.

Grant's health has been an issue since 2004, when a knee injury kept him out all season. He was having a solid training camp until Friday night's preseason opener against Seattle, when he left the game after reinjuring his left patellar tendon.

While it was not immediately clear how severe Grant's injury was, Haslett now says it appears the third-year linebacker could be "out for a while, just based on what the trainers tell me."

Allen, who started last season, entered training camp at the top of the depth chart but hasn't practiced since twisting his left just a few days after camp opened.

Knight, who also missed more than a week because of knee tenderness, was back in practice on Monday, although to a limited extent.

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LSU CONNECTION:@ Members of the Saints who played for LSU are looking forward to seeing a number of former teammates when they travel to New England for Thursday night's preseason game.

Among the former LSU players on the Patriots are Randall Gay, Rohan Davey, Eric Alexander, Kevin Falk, Marquise Hill and Jarvis Green, cousin of former LSU and current Saints defensive lineman Howard Green.

Howard Green said he has followed the Patriots' recent successes and Super Bowl victories simply because so many former Tigers play for New England.

"It was exciting. They're all in the Super Bowl — playing — people I've been with three or four years and one of them all my life," Howard Green said. "It's been good. But this year, I don't want to watch it. I want to go to Detroit and play."

Other former LSU players on the Saints include receiver Devery Henderson and defensive back Fred Booker.

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RETURN SPECIALISTS:@ Having returned to his native Louisiana, Jimmy Williams is showing he can help the Saints by returning kicks.

He was among the few bright spots for the Saints in their preseason opener, with 105 combined return yards on kicks and punts. Coaches also played him extensively at cornerback, where he started for San Francisco for part of last season because of injuries.

"Really, he has done a great job in camp," Haslett said of Williams. "We've got some pretty good corners, so he's fighting with the three, four, and five positions right now. He's in here to help us in that area, but also in the special teams area. He's an outstanding cover guy, and he's a good returner. ... He always gets positive yards. He knows how to run with the ball."

In 2002, Williams led the league in punt return average at 16.8 (20 returns for 336 yards). He had six returns for more than 20 yards, including one for an 89-yard touchdown.

Last season, Williams started six games and had a career-high 42 tackles with last-place San Francisco. But the 49ers did not offer him a new contract.

"He does a great job," Haslett said. "Him, Az (Hakim), and Michael Lewis and (Aaron) Stecker give us some pretty good returners on kickoffs."

While Lewis has played well at receiver in practice and was on the receiving end of the Saints' best pass play against Seattle last Friday — a 57-yard bomb from Kliff Kingsbury — Haslett wants to save Lewis primarily for kick returns.

"We try to limit Michael on some of the special teams because they do get beat up," Haslett said. "You just have to be careful about how much you use those guys. The thing is that they get tired and beat up, and all of a sudden here comes a punt that they have to return. There's a chance for a fumble. There's a greater chance for a fumble if you are playing a lot more than if you are not playing."

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INJURIES:@ A number of the Saints who left Friday night's game with injuries were back in practice by Sunday or Monday, including Henderson, who sprained his right shoulder, and Booker, who strained his right hamstring. Tight end Ernie Conwell, who missed Friday's' game with a sore groin, also has returned to practice, as has linebacker Terrence Melton from a calf injury.

Offensive lineman Spencer Folau (shoulder) has returned on a limited basis.

Haslett said he hopes Hakim (hamstring) and tight end Shad Meier (knee) will return after the next preseason game at New England.



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