All Things Saints: Your Daily News 6/6
By John Hendrix
May 29, 2014; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Friday Who Dat Nation! I trust everyone has had a great week, and hope you have a great weekend. Here’s a host of articles to pass along to you today, as we wrap up OTAs this week.
Mike Triplett | ESPN | Jonathan Goodwin happy to be ‘home’
"“I’ve always known that I wanted to retire a Saint, so I guess this makes it a lot easier,” said Goodwin, who re-signed with the Saints on Tuesday after previously playing in New Orleans from 2006-10. “I look at New Orleans as my second home. This is the place where my career turned around and I had the most success.”"
Goody is being extremely humble when it comes to talking about his return to the Saints. All signs point to Goodwin being the starting center for the Saints this year, and that should make everyone feel good. We’re happy to have Goody back, and look forward to what he’ll bring to the table this season.
Mike Triplett | ESPN | Davis: Pay Jimmy Graham like a WR
"“I think Jimmy Graham is trying to make an informed decision as far as his contract. He believes that he deserves more, and I believe that he deserves more,” Davis said when asked during a “SportsCenter” interview Thursday about the franchise-tag grievance that Graham filed. “He’s just a wonderful presence. He’s a great player. He has a lot of potential to go above and beyond and just go further. He is one of those guys that is a part of that TE position that are changing the game — Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, [Rob] Gronkowski."
It’s great to see someone backing up a fellow tight end, but are we sure that Davis isn’t just trying to get something out of this? At one point, Vernon Davis was the league’s highest paid tight end. I do like what Davis had to say about Graham. Personally, I think Davis is a great player. However, in some way, a Graham deal paying him like a wide receiver will open the door for many tight ends of the future. Pretty soon, they (the NFL) will have to rule that if a tight end catches more than ‘x’ number of passes, then he will have to be paid like a wide receiver.
Mike Triplett | ESPN | Observations from Saints’ practice
"Toon looks solid: Third-year receiver Nick Toon had a nice practice, including one catch he had to reach up and pluck out of the air. As I’ve written since the middle of last season, I still think the Saints are high on Toon’s potential, even though he struggled during his brief opportunity for playing time last year while filling in for injured veterans."
It’s good to still see some Toon supporters out there. I know Toon has been a big disappointment, but I believe this will be his job to lose this year. The Saints top three wide receivers are set: Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, and Brandin Cooks. After that? It’s a toss-up between Robert Meachem, Nick Toon, Andy Tanner, Brandon Coleman, Charles Hawkins, and Joe Morgan. Toon will have to win over Who Dat Nation in preseason, and I feel good about his chances. Again, it’s his job to lose.
Larry Holder | The Times-Picayune | Jonathan Goodwin’s return to New Orleans Saints could aid center spot in the long run
"Ultimately, the Saints would likely prefer Goodwin win the job and be the bridge for one season allowing Lelito to take over at center in 2015. Ingalls referred to Lelito as “a developmental guy who has a chance to be outstanding at that position.” Lelito took all the first-team snaps Thursday, while Goodwin played with the second unit."
If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I’ve already talked about this.
Katherine Terrell | The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Morgan aiming for training camp return
"“Initially it sucks because you have all these expectations and it gets taken away before you have the opportunity to prove yourself,” he said. “It sucks but the main thing I have to focus on is doing my rehab, getting healthy, and proving that I can carry over what I was working on last year to this year.”"
Joe Morgan does not have a roster spot locked up right now, and I’m sure he should know that. Morgan’s one injury away from his future with the Saints in serious jeopardy. I believe Morgan can return to form, but will have to fend off some other receivers in the process. I will tell you that it looks more and more like the team will roll with six wide receivers in games this year.
Other articles to check out:
- Saints OT Zach Strief discusses the return of Jonathan Goodwin, offers advice to rookies
- New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has ambitious plans for his second season
- Absences by other defensive tackles could keep Brandon Deaderick busy with New Orleans Saints
- New Orleans Saints Spotlight | Get to know receiver Brandon Coleman
- Lewis: ‘It’s not all new (for Sean Payton) anymore’