Thursday, May 11, 2006
Saints pick
The Saints swapped one underachieving young linebacker for another on Wednesday, sending Courtney Watson to the Miami Dolphins for Eddie Moore.
Both linebackers were second-round picks (Moore in 2003, Watson in 2004), but both were deemed expendable under new coaching regimes.
"I think it was just, for this staff, we're trading a guy that doesn't really fit our defense for a guy that doesn't really fit their defense," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.
Moore (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) projects as a backup weakside linebacker who can also contribute on special teams. He has been limited to 18 games and four starts in three years because of a variety of injuries, but the Saints liked his speed and potential coming out of the University of Tennessee.
"Really, he's been hurt throughout his career, so he has yet to prove it on the field," Loomis said. "But we like what we've seen in the games he has played."
Moore, 25, was labeled a bust in Miami, especially because there was some well-publicized dissent in the front office when he was drafted instead of receiver Anquan Boldin. Moore missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury, then ended the past two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries.
Last year under new coach Nick Saban, Moore played sparingly in five games, primarily on special teams
Watson, 25, has been slightly more productive since being drafted out of Notre Dame in 2004. But he was never able to lock down the starting middle linebacker job with the Saints.
Watson (6-1, 246) started 14 games in two seasons and showed promise toward the end of his rookie year. But he never was able to play at full speed and be a consistent tackler while still managing the middle linebacker duties.
Last year, Watson was arrested for driving while intoxicated and began to fall out of favor with the coaching staff on the field and off. He lost his starting job to veteran Ronald McKinnon even before he was placed on injured reserve with a torn medial collateral knee ligament.
BUSH'S JERSEY: The Saints are still waiting for a decision from the league on whether rookie Reggie Bush will be allowed to wear his college No. 5 in the NFL.
Both linebackers were second-round picks (Moore in 2003, Watson in 2004), but both were deemed expendable under new coaching regimes.
"I think it was just, for this staff, we're trading a guy that doesn't really fit our defense for a guy that doesn't really fit their defense," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.
Moore (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) projects as a backup weakside linebacker who can also contribute on special teams. He has been limited to 18 games and four starts in three years because of a variety of injuries, but the Saints liked his speed and potential coming out of the University of Tennessee.
"Really, he's been hurt throughout his career, so he has yet to prove it on the field," Loomis said. "But we like what we've seen in the games he has played."
Moore, 25, was labeled a bust in Miami, especially because there was some well-publicized dissent in the front office when he was drafted instead of receiver Anquan Boldin. Moore missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury, then ended the past two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries.
Last year under new coach Nick Saban, Moore played sparingly in five games, primarily on special teams
Watson, 25, has been slightly more productive since being drafted out of Notre Dame in 2004. But he was never able to lock down the starting middle linebacker job with the Saints.
Watson (6-1, 246) started 14 games in two seasons and showed promise toward the end of his rookie year. But he never was able to play at full speed and be a consistent tackler while still managing the middle linebacker duties.
Last year, Watson was arrested for driving while intoxicated and began to fall out of favor with the coaching staff on the field and off. He lost his starting job to veteran Ronald McKinnon even before he was placed on injured reserve with a torn medial collateral knee ligament.
BUSH'S JERSEY: The Saints are still waiting for a decision from the league on whether rookie Reggie Bush will be allowed to wear his college No. 5 in the NFL.
Saints' decision to draft fellow tailback Reggie Bush
Michael Bennett can't second-guess the Saints' decision to draft fellow tailback Reggie Bush last Saturday.
And Bennett won't let himself regret his choice to sign in New Orleans as a free agent six weeks earlier.
"I can't be upset about it," said Bennett, whose career has been hit with some bad breaks and bad timing since his breakout Pro Bowl season in 2002. "Yeah, I thought I was brought here for a reason, but things happen. I can't be bitter. I have a job. I could see if I was out on the street, but I have a job, and I'm going to make the best of whatever opportunity comes available."
Bennett, 27, is trying to stay positive. But he can't help but notice the obvious -- the kind of attributes that made Bush famous in college are the same traits Bennett brings to the field.
Bennett (5 feet 9, 209 pounds) has sprinter's speed, can get to the outside and is a home-run threat. The Saints pursued him in free agency specifically to offer a complementary style to starting tailback Deuce McAllister.
Now McAllister and Bush figure to provide that 1-2 punch, and Bennett figures to be used sparingly as a No. 3 running back.
"I think having that 1-2 mix, that change-up, it's great. I thought I was brought here for that, but when you've got a guy sitting there like (Bush), you can't overlook him," Bennett said. "I mean, he's probably the most electrifying player I've seen in college football for a long time, and he's sitting right there at No. 2. I mean, what can you do? And you have to kind of wonder, what were the Texans thinking (when they passed on Bush with the No. 1 pick)?
"He's an electrifying player, great attitude, great kid. And I'm looking forward to seeing how things are going to work out."
The Saints now have three first-round draft picks in their backfield. Bennett was picked No. 27 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, four spots behind McAllister.
And Bennett won't let himself regret his choice to sign in New Orleans as a free agent six weeks earlier.
"I can't be upset about it," said Bennett, whose career has been hit with some bad breaks and bad timing since his breakout Pro Bowl season in 2002. "Yeah, I thought I was brought here for a reason, but things happen. I can't be bitter. I have a job. I could see if I was out on the street, but I have a job, and I'm going to make the best of whatever opportunity comes available."
Bennett, 27, is trying to stay positive. But he can't help but notice the obvious -- the kind of attributes that made Bush famous in college are the same traits Bennett brings to the field.
Bennett (5 feet 9, 209 pounds) has sprinter's speed, can get to the outside and is a home-run threat. The Saints pursued him in free agency specifically to offer a complementary style to starting tailback Deuce McAllister.
Now McAllister and Bush figure to provide that 1-2 punch, and Bennett figures to be used sparingly as a No. 3 running back.
"I think having that 1-2 mix, that change-up, it's great. I thought I was brought here for that, but when you've got a guy sitting there like (Bush), you can't overlook him," Bennett said. "I mean, he's probably the most electrifying player I've seen in college football for a long time, and he's sitting right there at No. 2. I mean, what can you do? And you have to kind of wonder, what were the Texans thinking (when they passed on Bush with the No. 1 pick)?
"He's an electrifying player, great attitude, great kid. And I'm looking forward to seeing how things are going to work out."
The Saints now have three first-round draft picks in their backfield. Bennett was picked No. 27 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, four spots behind McAllister.
New Orleans Saints
A while ago, the draft was shaping up as perhaps the most important in Saints history, with the team poised to use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback who would lead their return to New Orleans.
Well, they don't need a quarterback anymore, having signed free agent Drew Brees to help rebuild the team and reinvigorate the fan base. But that doesn't lessen the significance of this draft.
Everything the Saints are doing this offseason, both on and off the field, has an unprecedented place in the team's 40-year history.
During these coming months and years, the Saints need to prove that New Orleans and the Gulf South region can indeed remain a viable NFL market. They need to generate excitement, sell tickets, suites and sponsorships, and most important, win games.
In the process, many believe the Saints can provide a distraction, if not inspiration, for a fan base that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina last August.
No pressure or anything.
Well, they don't need a quarterback anymore, having signed free agent Drew Brees to help rebuild the team and reinvigorate the fan base. But that doesn't lessen the significance of this draft.
Everything the Saints are doing this offseason, both on and off the field, has an unprecedented place in the team's 40-year history.
During these coming months and years, the Saints need to prove that New Orleans and the Gulf South region can indeed remain a viable NFL market. They need to generate excitement, sell tickets, suites and sponsorships, and most important, win games.
In the process, many believe the Saints can provide a distraction, if not inspiration, for a fan base that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina last August.
No pressure or anything.
