Former Buckeye Smith absent from Saints
May 27, 2008
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional offseason training session Wednesday, May 21, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract.
http://www2.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-sain…
Meachem starting to round into shape
May 27, 2008
After watching one practice in 2008, it’s evident that the Saints’ receivers will be among the most compelling position groups to follow this offseason.
Second-year pro Robert Meachem looks healthy and confident after limping through many practices last summer and fall. You can see the combination of size and speed that made him a first-round pick in 2007, and he reeled in at least one difficult catch that made an impression.
If Meachem lives up to his potential, he’ll not only push Devery Henderson for the No. 3 receiver job, but he could eventually supplant his mentor, veteran David Patten, in the starting lineup. That’s a long way off, though, as Meachem still needs to prove he can live through the growing pains in his first true NFL season.
Even more eye-catching during Wednesday’s organized team activities was seventh-round draft pick Adrian Arrington. Though it’s far too early to tell if he’ll be able to grasp the Saints’ offense and perform with any consistency, he certainly passes the eyeball test.
Arrington looks like a prototypical receiver with his 6-foot-3, 192-pound build. He’s a fluid runner and appears to be a natural pass-catcher. Saints Coach Sean Payton praised him after the rookie minicamp this month. It’s not outlandish to make early comparisons to Marques Colston, and not just because both were seventh-round picks.
The question is, where do these guys fit on the depth chart?
The Saints have their top five receivers back from last season — Colston, Patten, Henderson, Lance Moore and Terrance Copper. And typically, teams keep five receivers on the active roster. The Saints made an exception for Meachem last year, keeping six receivers because they didn’t want to risk losing their first-round draft pick.
Henderson is in the most jeopardy after four inconsistent years in New Orleans (he offered a reminder during Wednesday’s practice by dropping another routine catch). Then again, he also has proved his value as a deep threat, and the Saints liked him enough to bring him back when he became an unrestricted free agent this year.
Moore and Copper, meanwhile, bring added value on special teams — which is key for the fourth and fifth receivers on any NFL team if they want to be active on game day. Henderson, Meachem and Arrington have little or no experience playing special teams.
Moore might need to stand out as a returner this preseason to keep his job — especially with added competition from rookie cornerback/return man Tracy Porter. Copper probably has more security because of his value as an all-around special teams player.
It should be fun to watch, especially because the receivers are so much easier to analyze during practices than other position groups. Everything they do, good or bad, is on full display.
That being said, Colston continues to look impressive every time he steps on the field. For the past two seasons, he has always made an impression, looking like a poised veteran with a rare combination of size, speed and consistently great hands.
It’s amazing that this guy came out of nowhere. But as he has proved, there’s nothing fluky about it. After getting snubbed last season, he should earn the first of multiple Pro Bowl invitations this winter.
REPLACING MORGAN: Don’t expect the Saints to sign a big-name veteran linebacker now that Dan Morgan has retired. It’s not like they lost a projected starter and are in panic mode. The Saints knew Morgan was a long shot when they signed him and considered him a bonus.
Some are throwing out names such as Takeo Spikes and Odell Thurman, and it’s possible the Saints will consider them. But Payton said this week that the Saints would be more likely to add a young player for depth at the position.
They still have five veteran linebackers on the roster — Scott Fujita, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, Mark Simoneau and Troy Evans, plus second-year pro Marvin Mitchell. And Vilma looked healthy during Wednesday’s practice, perhaps the best news to come out of the day.
As for bringing in a veteran defensive end as insurance for Charles Grant, who’s battling legal troubles, don’t expect the Saints to do that right away, either. It might make sense to re-sign veteran Renaldo Wynn for added depth.
But they have time to see how Grant’s legal issues develop, and if necessary, they could always find talent available in August and early September when other teams start whittling their rosters.
MOONLIGHTING FOR CHARITY: Saints tailback Deuce McAllister will host his annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner fundraiser along with several teammates June 3 at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center. McAllister and teammates will serve guests, sign autographs and even provide musical entertainment while raising money for area youths.
Tickets and tables can be purchased through McAllister’s Catch 22 Foundation by contacting Josselyn Miller at (504) 251-7821 or on the Web at www.catch22foundation.org.
Saints owner/executive vice president Rita Benson LeBlanc will serve as a celebrity bartender at the Swizzle Stick Bar in Café Adelaide in the Loews New Orleans Hotel on Thursday, from 5-7 p.m., to raise money for Girls First.
THE NEW T.O.? In one of the most surprising developments of this offseason, Dallas receiver Terrell Owens is not causing any kind of disruption in the Cowboys’ locker room.
Owens is heading into his third year with the Cowboys, and he’s set to become a free agent at the end of the season. But he hasn’t been demanding a contract extension, even in the wake of hefty new deals for teammates Terence Newman and Marion Barber.
“It’s not an issue,” Owens told the media during OTAs. “For me, I’m going to go out and let my play do the talking. (Cowboys owner Jerry Jones) is aware of my ability.”
Owens, 34, has been everything the Cowboys hoped for and more. During the past two seasons, he has 166 catches for 2,535 yards and 28 touchdowns. And, shockingly, he has been a valued teammate and practically a model citizen.
“I think you are seeing a change in a guy, a transformation that has taken place over the last four or five years,” Dallas quarterback Tony Romo said. “We’re pretty lucky to have it happen here. I enjoy the guy. He’s a good teammate. He actually cares about each one of us. He cares about getting better. He gets probably a bad rap because you don’t get to see him every day. I’m pretty sure we’ll be just fine with getting that (contract extension) taken care of.”
NISWANGER’S BIG BREAK: Although he has never started an NFL game and ended last season on injured reserve with torn knee ligaments, former LSU lineman Rudy Niswanger is expected to start at center for the Kansas City Chiefs this year.
The young, rebuilding team is mixing and matching some new parts across the line, with only veteran left guard Brian Waters expected to stay. Niswanger, who went undrafted in 2006, is projected to replace veteran Casey Wiegmann, who was not re-signed in free agency.
“The coaches have been telling us that they like the guys, the linemen, who are still here,” Niswanger told the Kansas City Star. “Coach (Herman) Edwards does not have a problem playing young guys. They expressed a lot of confidence in a lot of us. It’s a good time to be a Chief and a good time to be an offensive lineman for the Chiefs. They’re going to give everybody the opportunity to play.”
BELOVED BELICHICK: Patriots Coach Bill Belichick has become known as a sports villain, but he’s still beloved in New England. He was on hand for the Boston Celtics’ Game 1 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals, and he received a rousing ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron. Fans chanted “Bel-i-chick, Bel-i-chick” for about 20 seconds.
BENGALS’ BUSTS: After waiving receiver Chris Henry and Thurman this year because of off-the-field troubles, the Cincinnati Bengals are without their top three picks from the 2005 draft. Their first-round pick, linebacker David Pollack, is retiring because of a fractured vertebrae suffered in a 2006 game.
Former Buckeye Smith absent from Saints
May 24, 2008
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional offseason training session Wednesday, May 21, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract.
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Pro Bowler, Dolphins on outs
May 24, 2008
The feud between Jason Taylor and Bill Parcells intensified Wednesday, making it likely the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end has played his last game for the Miami Dolphins.
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Grant posts bond, waives hearing
May 23, 2008
Grant posts bond, waives hearing- NOLA.com
Saints player says ‘truth will come out’
Friday, May 23, 2008
By Jimmy SmithBLAKELY, GA. — Wearing a crisply starched blue dress shirt, Navy blue pinstriped slacks and a blue, gold and rust colored striped tie, Saints defensive end Charles Grant turned himself in at the Early County Jail on involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from a February fight outside a bar that left a pregnant woman dead.
Grant rode up to the jail in a white Lincoln Navigator driven by Bryant Keith Gantt, a former Georgia football player who now works with Grant’s Athens, Ga.-based attorney, Edward D. Tolley, along with Tolley, Blakely attorney William S. Stone and several friends.
The group parked in front of the jail at 12:16 p.m. CDT. Grant went in, was processed, booked, photographed and fingerprinted before entering a plea of innocent, posting $10,000 bond and waiving his first hearing that could have been held before a judge Thursday afternoon.
Grant left the jail at 1:46 p.m. from a side entrance to
avoid a group of the victim’s friends and relatives
that had gathered across the street. He returned to
Stone’s downtown office.“This is a small town,” Grant said later,
“and the most important thing in this situation is an
innocent lady lost her life to a situation that only could
have been resolved if we wouldn’t have been there.“But in the end, the truth was told, and you’ve
really got to figure the truth out. That’s what
I’ve got my lawyers for. When people gave their
statements, they told the truth, and I guess people thought
otherwise.”Grant and six other men, including several of his
friends, were indicted by an Early County grand jury earlier
this week in connection with the fracas the morning of Feb.
3 outside Pokey’s, a North Church Street tavern in
which Korynda “Possum” Reed, 23, who was pregnant,
was shot and killed.Grant was stabbed in the back of the neck during the
fight, which apparently began inside the club but spilled
out onto the street.Grant, who is from nearby Colquitt and attended the
University of Georgia, said Thursday he knew the victim
because she had once dated one of his cousins.It took Early County investigators and the district
attorney’s office more than three months to conclude
that Grant, and others, should be charged.The district attorney’s office has declined to
comment on the indictments or other facets of the case.Laquient Macklin, a childhood friend of Grant’s who
in one report had been referred to as Grant’s
bodyguard, was indicted on felony murder charges and Grant
and five others on involuntary manslaughter charges.
Macklin, the attorneys said Thursday, at the time was
employed by the State of Georgia Department of Corrections
in the Hall County prison system and was not Grant’s
bodyguardIn the original police report on the incident obtained
Thursday, investigating officer Jennifer Hunt wrote that one
witness stated “Charles Grant shot ‘Possum,’
aka Ms. Reed, and she was dead. . . . Several people in the
crowd were yelling that Charles Grant did the
shooting.”Grant said Thursday that his status and stature made him
an early and inviting suspect among the crowd.“If you were here and you were me, they would have
pointed the finger at you because of what you do and what
you stand for,” Grant said. “Like I tell anybody:
I’m a warrior. And out of this whole situation, the
only thing I regret is a young woman lost her life and her
family has to deal with that. My sympathies go out to that
family.“Right now, me and my lawyers are focused on getting
the truth out to the people and letting them know,
‘Hey, Charles is not that kind of guy.’ And the
truth will come out in the end. That’s the only thing
I’m hoping for, and I’m steadily praying for her
and her family and the people that have to go through that
situation.”Tolley said Thursday that the case had been assigned to
Early County Superior Court Judge Ronnie Joe Lane and that
Lane would set the schedule for future court dates and
appearances.“Charles has been booked in on a charge of
involuntary manslaughter,” Tolley said. “We have
posted his bond, which was $10,000. We have waived the first
hearing, which would have been this afternoon. And
we’re going home in just a few minutes. We’ve
entered a plea of not guilty and signed all the necessary
forms.”Tolley said no restrictions were placed on Grant’s
ability to travel back to New Orleans, where he will
continue to take part in the Saints’ offseason training
activities.Saints Coach Sean Payton and an NFL spokesman said
Wednesday that the team and league are monitoring the
situation.“We’re disappointed,” Tolley said.
“Charles has been cooperative with the sheriff’s
department the entire time. If you look at the indictment,
it’s interesting because they indicted everybody on
both sides of the fence. So I’ve never seen one quite
like that. I’m not being critical of it; it is what it
is.”. . . . . . .
Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or
(504) 826-3814.
Grant will appear in Ga. court today
May 22, 2008
Grant will appear in Ga. court today- NOLA.com
Attorney: Bond likely to be set on charge of manslaughter
Thursday, May 22, 2008
By Mike TriplettDefensive end Charles Grant was on the practice field with the Saints on Wednesday morning, but today he will make his first court appearance in Early County, Ga., after being indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Grant will appear before a county magistrate, and bond likely will be set, according to his attorney, Edward Tolley of Athens, Ga.
Grant is expected to return to New Orleans on Friday and rejoin the team for its offseason program. But the charge he faces is serious, so this could be just the beginning of a lengthy legal process.
“I don’t know if it’s going to end quickly or not, but there’s not going to be a plea arrangement,” Tolley said. “We will enter a plea of not guilty (at a later date).”
Grant declined comment at the Saints’ practice facility and through his attorney.
Saints Coach Sean Payton and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said they will continue to monitor the situation, but it is too early to speculate on a possible outcome.
Grant was one of seven men indicted on the manslaughter charge, stemming from their involvement in a fight on the morning of Feb. 3 that resulted in the shooting death of Korynda Reed, 23, a pregnant bystander.
The alleged shooter, Laquient Macklin, is a close friend of Grant, according to Tolley. Macklin was also indicted on the charges of felony murder, feticide and aggravated assault. Two of the other men charged with involuntary manslaughter are Grant’s cousins, according to Tolley, and the other three men are not connected to his client.
Tolley maintains, however, that Grant was not a willing participant or instigator in the melee, which began inside a Blakely, Ga., nightclub and spilled outside. Grant was stabbed in the neck, and Tolley said that Grant and his friends were being chased away by “a mob of people” when Macklin fired the gun in the air as an act of self defense. The bullet apparently struck Reed.
Blakely, about three hours south of Atlanta, is near Grant’s hometown of Colquitt, Ga.
“In my view, Charles is a victim,” Tolley said.
“A man ran up behind him and stabbed him with a knife.
Our position has not changed. Charles was not involved in
the fight. Whether you can be a passive participant in a
fight, I don’t know. . . . We’re going to wait for
a judge to help us sort it out.”Back in February, the Early County Sheriff’s Office
had appeared to reach the same conclusion as Tolley. Capt.
Will Caudill, a chief investigator with the sheriff’s
office, said that Grant was not considered an instigator or
a willing participant, and that he was considered a victim,
not a perpetrator.On Wednesday, Early County District Attorney Charles
Ferguson declined comment on Grant’s case or the
decision to charge him.
Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino said the case raises
some eyebrows.“I think it’s a very unusual case,”
Ciolino said. “What essentially the DA is arguing is
that because he was involved in the fight, and the fight led
to a shooting, that he is or should be held responsible for
the death, even though no one contends he had the intent to
kill.“We don’t know about all the evidence.
Obviously, the prosecutors think that he was complicit in
starting or continuing the fight, and that his participation
in the fight was unjustified, in the sense that he was not
involved in the fight merely to defend himself or someone
else. I think we can infer that from the indictment.”If convicted of the felony charge of involuntary
manslaughter in Georgia, Grant could face one to 10 years in
prison.Payton said the Saints will continue to support Grant and
encourage him to cooperate with the authorities.“Obviously it’s something that we take very
seriously, and certainly our condolences go out to the
family,” Payton said Wednesday. “What’s most
important is the justice system taking its process.
It’s something that the league will handle and
certainly the state of Georgia will handle.“The bottom line is that they are very serious
charges and we’re going to support him right now and do
our best to help him, and help the league and help the state
of Georgia with their investigation. I know Charles has been
available and made an effort to do everything just as they
want. And certainly that would be our advice to him.”Saints tackle Jon Stinchcomb, who has known Grant since
they were teammates at Georgia, said he and his teammates
were surprised by the latest development because they
thought the situation had been resolved. But he admitted,
“I don’t have a clue about the details.”“I consider Charles family. We’ve been around
each other for almost a decade now,” Stinchcomb said.
“Any time you have someone so close involved in a
situation where there’s lives lost, your heart goes out
for all involved.”The last time Grant spoke about the incident was late
March, when he, too, seemed to believe he had been cleared
of any wrongdoing.“I pray for that girl and her family every night and
hope they find out what really happened,” Grant said at
the time.
Unhappy Smith a no-show at workouts
May 22, 2008
Unhappy Smith a no-show at workouts- NOLA.com
Saints’ defensive end holding out for new long-term contract
Thursday, May 22, 2008
By Mike TriplettAs expected, Saints defensive end Will Smith is not participating in the team’s organized team activities while he holds out for a long-term contract extension.
Smith, who turns 27 July 4, is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to earn more than $1 million this season, including incentives.
“He and I had a chance to visit about a month and a half ago, and you’d like to have all your players here. But it’s not unusual,” Saints Coach Sean Payton said. “I think you just go around the league, and each team has a player or two maybe that’s unhappy with his contract. And so in the meantime our focus is on the players that are here. And we’re full speed ahead.”
The workouts are voluntary, so Smith hasn’t been fined or penalized. But the Saints will hold a mandatory full-squad minicamp late next week. Payton said he expects Smith to show up.
Smith’s agent, Joel Segal, declined comment on Smith’s plans, but said he is talking with the Saints about the contract.
Smith was a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State and has earned $20 million in bonuses since signing his rookie deal in 2004. Defensive end Charles Grant last year signed a seven-year contract that could be worth $63 million.
Smith was a Pro Bowl player in 2006 and led the Saints with seven sacks last season.
Vilma’s work has been ‘positive’
May 22, 2008
Vilma’s work has been ‘positive’- NOLA.com
Payton plans to take his time with new LB
Thursday, May 22, 2008
By James VarneySaints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has looked very good this week as the team goes through its organized drills, according to several people with the team. But Coach Sean Payton noted they are bringing the newcomer along slowly after knee surgery.
Vilma, the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004, was acquired from the New York Jets in a trade for a fourth-round draft pick this year and either a second- or third-round pick next year, depending on Vilma’s performance.
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-1, 230-pounder looked solid in third-down and nickel drills, working mostly with the second unit. Vilma had a bone chip removed from his knee last year and missed seven games.
“He’s participating in half a practice, seven-on-seven drills, and it’s been very good,” Payton said. “It’s been real positive so far.”
The Saints hope Vilma, 26, will prove to be the kind of inside playmaker the defense can build around for years to come.
Vilma said the scheme he’s mastering with the Saints is similar to that run by the Jets in his first two years in the league. Vilma said he feels ready to go full speed full time, but that would be ahead of schedule. The limited action to date is the result of an agreement he reached with Payton.
“It’s been exciting, to come from rehab and the surgery and get to this point,” Vilma said. “We’re being cautious, of course, that’s to be expected, but it looks pretty good at this point.”
Vilma is a welcome addition because the Saints find themselves thin at linebacker. The retirement of Dan Morgan earlier this week leaves the team with just eight at that position. And that number, which includes two free-agent rookies, has been trimmed further with a hip injury that has kept Mark Simoneau out of practice.
Payton said the team will bolster that spot soon, predicting it would acquire a player.
He said he didn’t necessarily think that would be an experienced veteran.
“I think that the key is finding the right guy, andit could very well be a young player,” Payton said.
ELLIS LOOKING GOOD: Payton mentioned a few players who havestood out early, among them offensive tackle Jammal Brown,whom Payton said is coming off his most productive offseason
since being drafted out of Oklahoma four years ago.The first rookie Payton cited was defensive tackleSedrick Ellis from Southern Cal. Ellis, listed at 6-1, 307, is reunited with Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who was at USC when the Trojans recruited Ellis.
Ellis has alternated with the first unit during seven-on-seven drills. He said things have gone relatively smooth as he adjusts to the professional level.
“I feel like it’s been going really well,” Ellis said. “I’ve got a couple of days in now with the older guys, and they kind of helped me along with some of the plays and stuff, and I feel like it’s coming along just fine.”
Ellis is not the only rookie who has impressed early. Payton also noted the play of wide receiver Adrian Arrington, a Michigan product the Saints picked up in the seventh round of the draft. Arrington, 6-3, 192 pounds, got open repeatedly and made several catches, some on third-down situations.
“He’s had a couple of good practices out there, and he’s made some plays out there today,” Payton said. “He’s learned quickly what to do, which is half the battle for a young receiver. He’s a big target and still has a ways to go. His transition has been pretty quick, and that’s been encouraging.” Like Ellis, Arrington said he feels as comfortable as could be expected and is looking forward to the upcoming minicamp.
“I’ve been feeling pretty good so far. A lot of things have been similar to what I ran at Michigan, so maybe I’ve caught on a little bit faster,” he said. “There’s a lot more speed out here, of course, but I feel right in the position where I should be.”
HO HUM ON OWNERS: Payton was noncommittal when asked about the unanimous move this week by NFL owners to shorten the league’s collective bargaining agreement with players. The players’ union has hinted a stalemate could lead to a lockout or strike after 2010, when the agreement will expire. It would be the first work stoppage in the NFL since 1987.
“They were pretty unified in this vote. I don’t know that it was a big surprise to anyone,” Payton said. Hollis Thomas, the Saints’ player representative, declined to predict what might happen. “It’s an unfortunate act, but they’ve taken a hard stance on what they feel is right,” he said. “That’s just a part of business. They’re the owners, we’re the players, and we’ve had a good deal on the table for the last couple of years. It will be interesting to see if it will hold.”
DEUCE TAKING IT SLOWLY: Running back Deuce McAllister did some walk-throughs Wednesday and has been involved in drills the first two days, he said. Recovering from his second knee
surgery, McAllister said he hopes to participate at minicamp next week and will be at full speed when the Saints open training camp this summer.Having already endured one comeback, McAllister, 29, said he was unfortunately familiar with the process that unfolded for him at Dr. James Andrews’ rehab center in Birmingham, Ala. The knowledge gained in that process, however, tells him things are as good as can be expected
with the knee.Payton said the Saints are trying to not rush McAllister’s return.
“Our goal is not to push it too hard,” the coach said. “He should be good to go for training
camp.”McAllister was the biggest name among the Saints who did not work Wednesday because of injuries. The others were safety Josh Bullocks (knee), cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle), defensive tackle DeMario Pressley (foot), tight end Eric Johnson (ankle), cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee), and Simoneau (hip).
Bullocks had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in January, but he expects to be healthy by training camp. MEACHEM DAZZLES: One player who appears healthy for the first time in a Saints uniform is receiver Robert Meachem.
After battling a knee injury for most of last season, the second-year pro looked healthy, fluid and comfortable running routes on the field.
Meachem has gotten rave reviews from Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis and teammates throughout this offense, showing a great attitude and work ethic after a disappointing rookie season.
OBSERVATIONS: New backup quarterback Mark Brunell looked comfortable in the pocket and seems to be fitting in nicely. . . . With McKenzie out, the top three cornerbacks working with the first-team and nickel defenses were Jason David, Randall Gay and Usama Young. Veteran Jason Craft and rookie Tracy Porter worked with the second team.
Grant indicted for manslaughter
May 22, 2008
Grant indicted for manslaughter- NOLA.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By Mike TriplettSaints defensive end Charles Grant was one of seven men indicted by a grand jury on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, stemming from a February altercation outside of a nightclub early Feb. 3 in Blakely, Ga.
Details of the indictment were published Tuesday on the Early County News’ Web site. According to the report, the men were all charged because of their involvement in a fight that resulted in the death of Korynda Reed, 23, a pregnant bystander who was shot and killed by a stray bullet during a nightclub fracas. Grant, 29, who was stabbed in the neck during the melee, also received misdemeanor fighting charges.
Grant’s attorney Edward Tolley of Athens, Ga., described the indictment as one of the “most unusual” he has seen.
“I assure you we intend to plead not guilty and put up a pretty vigorous fight,” Tolley said.
The Saints are aware of the development but had no comment, according to vice president of communications Greg Bensel. Early County officials could not be reached for comment and neither could Grant.
Tolley said that Grant will arrange to turn himself in soon, then follow the legal process.
“I think all the evidence is that Grant did not participate in a fight, start a fight or shoot a gun,” Tolley said. “It’s created a unique indictment. We’ll have to do the best we can to sort this out.”
Laquient Macklin also was indicted on the more severe charges of felony murder, feticide and aggravated assault for allegedly firing the weapon that caused Reed’s death.
In February, Capt. Will Caudill of the Early County Sheriff’s Office said Grant was not considered an instigator or a willing participant in the fight, during which Grant was stabbed in the neck. Woodrow Gray was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault for attacking Grant. Gray also was one of the men charged with involuntary manslaughter. The others were Marshae Stromer, Anthony Williams, Jarvis Tinson and Rodreaco Gray.
“I pray for that girl and her family every night and hope they find out what really happened,” Grant said in late March.
Neither the Saints nor the NFL are likely to react until more details become evident through the legal process. But the NFL has been coming down harder on off-the-field troubles. The league announced Tuesday that teams can be fined as a result of players’ indiscretions, depending on the incident.
Blakely is near Grant’s hometown of Colquitt in southwest Georgia. Grant starred collegiately at Georgia before being drafted by the Saints in 2002. He had a rocky season in 2007 since signing a seven-year contract extension that could be worth up to $63 million with incentives — potentially the richest in Saints history.
He had 2.5 sacks last season, tying his career low. And he suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle Oct. 28 at San Francisco, an injury which he continued to play through for the remainder of the season. The Saints added some depth and insurance to their defensive end rotation when they signed veteran Bobby McCray in free agency.
Grant has been participating in the team’s offseason program in New Orleans, but it’s not clear if he will continue to do so in light of the indictment.
Roaf chosen for Saints’ Hall of Fame
May 22, 2008
Roaf chosen for Saints’ Hall of Fame- NOLA.com
Stalwart left tackle to be inducted Sept. 26
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By Mike TriplettThe Saints Hall of Fame introduced offensive tackle Willie Roaf as its newest and perhaps most prominent inductee Tuesday.
“We felt like he’s the most significant player in the history of the franchise. The most honored, by far,” said Ken Trahan, the general manager of the Saints Hall of Fame Museum.
Roaf, who played for the Saints from 1993 to 2001 and for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2002 to ’05, will be inducted Sept. 26. But he was on hand for Tuesday’s announcement at a restaurant in Metairie.
Roaf has a chance to become the first true Saint to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. And according to Trahan, Roaf said Tuesday that he would choose to represent the Saints if he is inducted.
“He said that even though he’s living in California, this is truly home and where he had his fondest memories,” Trahan said.
Other former Saints who were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame are:
– Jim Taylor (inducted in 1976), who played for the Saints in 1967.
– Doug Atkins (1982) — 1967 to ’69.
– Earl Campbell (1991) — 1984 to ’85.
– Jim Finks (1995) — 1986 to ’92.
– Hank Stram (2003) — 1976 to ’77.
Roaf was drafted in the first round out of Louisiana Tech in 1993 with the eighth overall pick, and his dominance was immediately evident. He earned his first All-Pro nomination in 1994 — the first of six with the Saints and 10 overall in his career. He was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, and he was chosen to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1990s. He was with the Saints for the first playoff victory in franchise history, in 2000.
Roaf retired in 2006, partly because of lingering knee and hamstring injuries.
The Saints Hall of Fame also selected Barra Birrcher as the recipient of the Joe Gemelli Fleur-De-Lis Award, which is given to a person who has contributed to the betterment of and/or supported the Saints in loyal fashion. Birrcher retired in 2007 after working for the Saints for nearly four decades in several different capacities.
. . . . . . .
Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3405.
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