New Orleans Saints Sign Another Former Pro-Bowler, Ink DT Rod Coleman To 1 Year Deal

Clearly the Saints have dedicated themselves this off-season to improving the defense, signing another pro-bowl talent to the roster.

Defensive tackle Rod Coleman agreed to a one year deal with the team Friday afternoon, the details were not disclosed.

He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 draft where he spent the next five years. As a Raider, Coleman started in 21 games recording 136 tackles and 28.5 sacks before signing with the Falcons in 04. With the Falcons he started in 49 games recording 112 tackles and 30 sacks before being released after the 2007 season.

Coleman was the league leader in sacks among defensive tackles in 2004 (11.5)  and 2005 (10.5) with the Atlanta Falcons. He also led all DT’s in sacks from 2001-2007 totaling 52.5 sacks during that span as well as being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005. He was also named the NFC  Defensive Player of the Month in October of the same year.

Although he sat out the 2008 season  with injury, Coleman is a valuable addition to the team and should be a solid contributor.

Coleman’s signing most likely will have a ripple effect internally. The Saints may part ways with veteran DT Brian Young and or Hollis Thomas as both players have battled injury as well as inconsistency.

New defensive line coach Bill Johnson is very familiar with Coleman after serving as the d line coach for Falcons in 04 and 05. Johnson’s guidance was the driving force behind Coleman’s success during those seasons, some of the more productive in Coleman’s career – good news for Saints fans.