Saints sign three free agents
May 14, 2008
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints signed former LSU offensive lineman Carnell Stewart and three other players who received tryouts during rookie camp last weekend. via Hattiesburg American
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Saints testing late picks
May 13, 2008
“At the end of the day, it’s just people’s opinions”
For the past three years, the New Orleans Saints have had a high-risk, high-reward philosophy in the late rounds of the NFL draft. via Daily World
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Saints Coach Launches Charity
May 12, 2008
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and his wife Beth have announced the formation of a new charitable organization. via TheNewOrleansChannel
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Rookies’ performance encourages Saints coach
May 11, 2008
“It’s hard to tell (where some of the players are) because we’ve got such a mixed group”
METAIRIE – Tracy Porter grew up in southern Louisiana, so he thought he knew what to expect. via The Shreveport Times
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
60 report to Saints mini-camp
May 11, 2008
“If he gets his shot, he can make the most of it.”
This weekend, it’s all about the young guys as the Saints welcomed approximately 60 players for rookie mini-camp at the team’s training complex. via Daily World
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Rookies Arrington, Nicks aim to prove Saints made right decisions
May 11, 2008
“He’s a guy that has some maturing to do and is going to need to take on some responsibilities”
MEATAIRIE – Former Michigan receiver Adrian Arrington hopes he’ll soon be labeled a draft-day steal. via News-Star
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Rookie Ellis makes solid first impression with Saints
May 10, 2008
“He’s been the same since the first day I met him until now. He knows my strengths and weaknesses, so I think that’s a good combination.”
Saints top pick Sedrick Ellis says he is eager to make a name for himself as the Saints open their rookie minicamp this weekend. via NFL
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
White, Johnson likened to former USC duo
May 9, 2008
“We haven’t had a change of pace like this,’”
NASHVILLE – LenDale White has heard the comparisons between his old college teammate, Reggie Bush, and his new one in the NFL, Chris Johnson. via The Leaf-Chronicle
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
N.O.’s defensive tackles ready for rookie camp
May 9, 2008
to Saints
2008
If enthusiasm and self-confidence can translate into
ability, the Saints no doubt significantly upgraded their
interior defensive line in the recent NFL draft.
Tackles Sedrick Ellis, the team’s first-round draft
pick from Southern California, and DeMario Pressley, the
fifth-round pick from North Carolina State, are both
prepared to come into the team’s rookie minicamp that
begins today to prove they belong in the big leagues and are
prepared to step into significant roles immediately.
“I feel like I’m looking for an immediate
impact,” Ellis said this week. “They made the pick
for a reason, and I assume they want me to play as soon as
possible. So that’s definitely my goal, to get down
there and work hard and try to play as soon as I can.”
Pressley was equally effusive.
“I know they need some help, and me, personally, I
want to be that guy,” Pressley said. “I want to
come in, and I want to contribute as soon as possible.”
Both players will join 54 other rookies, undrafted free
agents and invitees for five practices, two today and
Saturday and one Sunday, as the coaching staff gets their
first look at players becoming accustomed to the
Saints’ schemes and system. All practices are closed.
Ellis will know what to expect from new Saints defensive
line coach Ed Orgeron, who recruited the 6-foot-1, 307-pound
lineman to Southern Cal when Orgeron was an assistant.
Ellis also will be able to understand Orgeron’s
Cajun accent, native to Orgeron’s Cut Off roots.
“When he’s yelling and the other guys
can’t understand, I might have to help them out,”
Ellis said, laughing.
Pressley, 6-3, 301 pounds, is working out twice daily in
Atlanta to prepare for what he’ll face once he arrives
at the team’s practice facility this weekend.
“I do a lot of conditioning work first,”
Pressley said. “Then I hit the weights, and I’m
done for the day. I’ve been trying to get outside some,
but it’s been raining and cold. I know it’s going
to be pretty hot down there, so I’ve been trying to get
accustomed to the heat. It’s not working because of the
rain and stuff.”
Pressley was dogged by injuries as a senior, first a
dislocated wrist, then a twisted knee. That might have
dropped his draft stock.
“But it’s not like I got hurt and stayed down
and never got back up,” Pressley said. “It was
kind of frustrating, because I did think, like, ‘Wow, I
don’t think I’m going to get picked up.’ Once
I sat down with Coach Orgeron and we had a little workout, I
think they saw my talent, and he kind of became pretty
interested in me.”
Ellis, on the other hand, was being compared to
LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, in some circles the highest-rated
player in the draft. And the Saints showed their exuberance
by trading up three spots in the first round to pick Ellis.
“This is a great opportunity,” said Ellis,
who’ll return to Southern Cal for graduation after this
weekend’s work. He will return to New Orleans to
continue working in the Saints’ offseason sessions.
“But it’s a great responsibility at the same
time. (The Saints) definitely have a need, and I feel like I
can come in right away and help them out with the problems
they’re having, just make the team better in
general.”
Alexander meets, greets Saints brass
May 8, 2008
Alexander meets, greets Saints brass- NOLA.com
Thursday, May 08, 2008
By Mike TriplettThe Saints completed their visit with free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander on Wednesday, but he returned home to Seattle without a contract offer.
It’s unclear how serious the interest is from either side. Alexander, who was released by the Seahawks last month, has just started to test the market. He visited Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday before flying to New Orleans.
Alexander’s agent, Jim Steiner, said the former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player has not set a timetable for choosing a team.
“It all depends on how he feels about the team, the prospects of the team winning a championship, and what his role will be,” Steiner said.
Other teams have shown interest, but no other visits have been scheduled, he said.
Alexander could wait well into the summer to see if injuries create more of a demand for his services. Regardless, the 30-year-old running back likely will have to settle for more of a complementary role with his next team.
The Saints have declined to comment on their interest in Alexander. They are looking for veteran insurance in case Deuce McAllister is unable to fully recover from knee surgeries, but they still have a crowded backfield with Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas on the roster.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals are looking for a backup to veteran starter Rudi Johnson and insurance for injury-prone backup Chris Perry.
Meanwhile, former Bengals receiver Chris Henry named the Saints as a team he would prefer to play for, if only they’d give him a chance.
Henry, a Belle Chasse native who has had repeated run-ins with the law, was cut by Cincinnati in April. He told ESPN.com that the two teams he would “love to play for” are the Saints and the Dallas Cowboys.
“New Orleans is home for me,” he said. “That’s always been a big dream of mine. Hopefully, I can get in there and sit down with the coaches and maybe have an opportunity to get down there.”
That’s an unlikely scenario, though. The Saints aren’t in the market for a receiver, and they have mostly tried to avoid character concerns in their locker room.
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