All Things Saints: Your Daily News 5/6
By John Hendrix
Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Will Smith (91) warms up against the Houston Texans before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
We trust that everyone had a great day yesterday for Cinco de Mayo! We have some news items to bring to you today.
First, I’d like to let everyone know that I have been asked to be a guest on WLAE’s Inside New Orleans Sports program by host Eric Asher. The program will air for local New Orleans residents live this Thursday from 6-7PM.
Mike Reiss & Field Yates | ESPN Boston | Patriots sign DE Will Smith
"The New England Patriots on Monday signed free-agent defensive end Will Smith, a longtime New Orleans Saint they hope will provide a boost to their pass rush. The team didn’t disclose the terms of the contract."
Will Smith has been paired to the New England Patriots since late February and early March. Once Smith was officially released from the New Orleans Saints, it became more evident that the Patriots would be the front-runner for signing him. It took a while, but a deal was finally reached between the two parties. Smith should have a little something left in the tank, and like many former players, we wish him the very best.
Mike Triplett | ESPN | Ranking Saints draft needs: No. 3 C/G
"Draft possibilities: A strong argument could be made that this is the Saints’ No. 1 need since they don’t have a single player on the roster who has played center in the NFL. The Saints are high on Lelito’s potential — but that’s all it is for now. An undrafted rookie last year, Lelito only played center during the preseason and only started two games at guard. The Saints will eventually need to bring in competition for him, whether it’s through the draft or free agency (veteran Jonathan Goodwin remains an option)."
This is definitely a point of debate for the team as we rapidly approach the draft. Here’s what I can say about everything related to the draft needs: Everyone is right in some form or fashion about what position the team needs to draft. This is easily being built as the most important draft for general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton in their tenure together.
Ramon Antonio Vargas | The Advocate | Sean Payton: Signings of undrafted players often key to success
"“That’s an important part of the process,” Payton said while speaking at the league owners meeting in March. “Our scouts and pro personnel people and everyone involved in the process have done a very good job with that, and we’ve been able to secure pretty good football players that way.”"
I’ve hinted more than once that it’s almost more exciting to see who the Saints bring in after the draft rather than the drafted players. With the gems the team has found in the past several seasons, it almost feels like we’re looking for the next big hit. The team will have several faces that will ‘wow’ in next year’s training camp and pre-season.
Other news items to check out:
Ranking Saints draft needs: No. 4 OLB
New Orleans Saints’ draft booms | No. 3 all-time
New Orleans Saints’ draft busts | No. 3 all-time
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