Saints Top Pick Jenkins Unlikely To Sign By Start of Camp; Morstead, Vaughn Agree To Terms
It’s unlikely that the Saints top draft pick Malcolm Jenkins will be signed by the start of training camp tomorrow, although both sides are working diligently to reach an agreement.
General manager Mickey Loomis is optimistic that a deal will get done, as is Jenkins, as he would like to get in camp sooner rather than later.
"“I just hope so. We got one more day left,” Jenkins says “We’ll see how the negotiations go.”“It’s the type of defense I want to play for,” Jenkins said. He says he looks forward to playing under new Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams. “I’m really excited the things he is putting in and implementing this year, and really excited to see how it plays out.”"
Meanwhile the Saints reached an agreement with two of their late round draft picks, Punter Thomas Morstead and Safety Chip Vaughn. Both players have signed four years deals with the Saints for undisclosed amounts, most likely pre-determined by the NFL’s slotting system for draft picks.
Vaughn was a fourth round pick (116th) of the Saints out of Wake Forest, playing in 51 games, making 258 tackles, 22 pass deflections, and three interceptions in his collegiate career.
His size and athleticism have drawn comparisons to the late Sean Taylor, whom the Saints new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coached during his tenure with the Washington Redskins. Vaughn may see an increased role in Williams’ defense as the season progresses.
Thomas Morstead became the highest punter drafted in the 2009 draft when the Saints selected him with the 164th pick overall in the 5th round.
Morstead came out of SMU as a four year starter, ranking among the nations top punters. He averaged 43.4 yards per punt during his collegiate career along with 59 punts being downed inside the 20.
He will compete with mid season walk on Glenn Pakulak for the teams starting punter position. Pakulak averaged a healthy 47.7 yards per punt average in eight games with the Saints last season.
Injured rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux will be placed on the teams PUP list. Arnoux ruptured his Achilles tendon during the teams rookie mini-camp. The Saints expect to sign Arnoux to the league standard contract equal to his 4th round draft placement
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