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 Bob DelGiorno &Monica Pierre
6am-10am
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Posted: Sunday, 11 May 2008 2:36AM
Lasting Impressions
Deke Bellavia Reporting
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As Coach Sean Payton holds his third Rookie Mini-Camp he hopes to find a few good men to add to his current roster. The Saints six draftees, sixteen rookie free agents and over thirty tryout players have completed four practices for Payton and his staff with one more to go.
Sean Payton has been impressed with several players early on. “Sedrick Ellis has been beating double teams Tracy Porter has showed some of the cover skills that we were anticipating that we’d see and Adrian Arrington has done a good job of handling the assignments. He’s a pretty sharp kid. Overall, I’ve been encouraged.”
Payton singled out 5th round draft pick OL Carl Nicks as well during his press conference at Saints Head Quarters. As expected many members of the media wanted to get the coaches take on top pick Sedrick Ellis.
“I think he has a lot of the things that we’re looking for. He’s an explosive player. He’s been a part of a winning program. I like him and I like what I’ve seen. He’s another player that you’ll be impressed with off the field and just as important as that is how he plays.
Unlike in previous Rookie Mini-Camps under Payton there have been no players that have fallen out or have had to be carried off the field as of the Saints first practice on Saturday morning.
One notable name that was invited to tryout was LSU’s Jonathan Zenon. The Corner Back out of LSU was expected to be a free agent at worse but had to settle for a tryout instead. Payton said that the LSU guys in the fold know what to do.
“Those guys that come from a program like LSU, they come in with a swagger that they’re good enough to make this team and that’s a good thing. They’ve been coached extremely well and they’re used to winning and being successful.”
Zenon, LB Luke Sanders and WR Josh McManus are representing the Tigers in Saints Rookie Mini-Camp. The Saints will take a few more looks at the rookies and then decide on who to keep and who to let go before the full squad returns for mini-camp in about three weeks.
Another familiar name was in camp this weekend with the Saints in John David Washington. Washington is a former standout RB from Morehouse College, who also spent time on the St. Louis Rams Practice Squad and is the son of Oscar winning actor Denzel Washington.
Two other players from Louisiana University’s were invited to tryout with the Saints as well as Grambling State DB Greg Fassitt and Southeastern’s WR Byron Ross was also in camp.
Payton also addressed his visit with former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. “It went well. He had a chance to come in here for an afternoon and spend some time with Mickey and myself and then our coaching staff.
Alexander was released by the Seahawks last month and was in town this past Wednesday. Payton did not sound like there was any strong merit to Shaun’s visit other than a courtesy stop.
“What you try to do is look at the different options and try to become familiar with more players than what you just see on tape. It was really just that. He’s had a long, successful career and he still has some good years ahead of him, so we’ll see where it takes him.” |
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