It is the middle of summer usually a pretty dead time in the world of Football, and most Football fans are growing impatient waiting for any kind of NFL action. This holds true more than ever for Saints fans as many believe the Black & Gold are on the verge of a truly special season. There are 7 Days and counting until the New Orleans Saints report for their first day of the 2007 Training Camp on July 26th. Camp will once again be held at Millsaps College in Jackson, Missouri the same location as last season.The players will have to endure the blistering heat, and humidity and their physical, and mental endurance will be put to the test by Head Coach Sean Payton who many around the NFL believe runs one of the fiercest Camps in the League. Here is my Training Camp Preview, I'll go over some of the expected position battles, expectations, and give my predictions.
Position Battles:
#2 Cornerback, +Depth - One of the biggest focuses in the off-season was to upgrade the overall talent at this position which was largely viewed as a weak spot in 2006. Jason David a Free Agent acquisition from the Colts is the early favorite to win the spot. David at 5'8 lacks ideal height but he makes up for his lack of size with his scrappy, and aggressive play. David will compete with last seasons starter Fred Thomas. Thomas was a solid Corner for many seasons with the Saints, last year however he battled nagging injuries, and age as he struggled covering quicker receivers. The team still believe Thomas has some fight left in him as he accepted a pay cut to remain on the team. His veteran experience can be useful in a Nickel, Dime role to tutor the younger CBs. Now throw in 2 young Corners that were added through the Draft into the mix. Usama Young a 3rd round pick from Kent State has a blend of good size, and speed running a 4.39 forty at his Campus work out. Young has looked impressive in mini camps thus far and is expected to compete for the Nickel spot, if not he could easily be a Dime CB. He might be the future starter in a few seasons if he progresses as expected. David Jones another small school Cornerback from Wingate will also be in the mix, he's another speedy guy who had a knack for finding the ball in College. Also in the competition is last years Nickel back Jason Craft, Anwar Phillips, and undrafted FA Joe Porter.
My Prediction - #2CB - Jason David, NB - Usama Young, #4CB - Fred Thomas, #5CB - David Jones.
Free Safety - Another pivotal battle for a starting position will be at the Free Safety spot. 3rd year player Josh Bullocks came under a lot of criticism last year for blown coverages, and missed interception opportunities. Bullocks is fast, and a young player so he still can improve especially in the mental aspect of the game. However Kevin Kaesviharn a free agent Safety from the Bengals was brought in to push him. Kaesviharn a veteran player is a smart safety who is good in coverage; posting a 6.3 YPA on deep assist plays ranking 10th best among safeties in that metric category. However his weakness is in run support. I believe Kaesviharn has the advantage because of his experience, and instincts but the loser of this battle should see the field a lot regardless. There may be certain packages where Bullocks is subbed in to be an extra in the box Defender, or other packages where Kaesviharn comes in as a Nickel back. It should be interesting to see how Payton and Gibbs utilize their Defensive personnel in this regard.
My Prediction - Starting FS - Kevin Kaesviharn, Backup - Josh Bullocks
#2 Wide Receiver - With the departure of veteran receiver Joe Horn a void has been created at this position. 2nd year player Marques Colston, who broke out
for a 1,000 yard, 8 TD season as a rookie becomes the #1 WR. The Saints have a slew of young, unproven receivers but which one of them can step up to the challenge and be the starter opposite Colston? The Saints Drafted Robert Meachem from Tennessee with the 27th overall pick in the 1st round with the hopes that he could be that guy. Meachem did have early problems coming into camp overweight, and he underwent knee surgery. There is still a chance Meachem can come into training camp and win the starting spot, but he's already behind which is why this camp is especially important for him to earn a significant role in the Offense. Devery Henderson is an explosive deep threat WR, he led the league in Yards per Catch last year with a 23.3 average. The only thing holding Devery back from being a solidified starter is consistency, and concentration issues. Henderson had a tendency to follow up huge games, with disappointing ones, he followed an amazing catch by dropping an easy pass. If he can become more consistent and show he won't drop the easy passes I believe he can win the #2 spot. Terrance Copper he had a few starts last season when Horn was out, and newly acquired veteran David Patten will also be competing. I think this is going to be the most unpredictable battle this camp, any of these guys can come out emerging as the starter. However we also have to keep in mind that Sean Payton is a very creative Offensive mind and a diverse playcaller no matter what you are listed on the depth chart, you can plan on seeing the field in many different formations. I expect every WR to be worked into the Offense and utilized in different plays, and formations.
My Prediction - #2 WR - Devery Henderson, #3 WR - Terrance Copper, #4 WR - Robert Meachem, #5 WR - David Patten
MLB & LB Depth - Another incoming Free agent, Brian Simmons from the Bengals battles for a starting spot with last years incumbent Mark Simoneau. Simmons is a 9 year veteran at 32 years old he is still believed to have enough gas in the tank to man the middle of the Saints linebacking corps. Although Simmons should be an upgrade, Simoneau like any player on Sean Payton's roster has a shot to keep his starting spot. Simoneau while his athleticism is limited, he's a smart LB who can make the Defensive calls, and get everyone lined up. The returning Outside LBs Scott Shanle, and Scott Fujita should both be the starters at their respective positions again this season, but newly acquired OLB Dhani Jones should provide a challenge. It will also be interesting to see who fills out the final spots on the team. Trev Faulk, Alfred Fincher, Marvin Mitchell, and Desmond Sims will battle it out. The result should come down who will contribute the most on Special teams.
My Prediction - Starting LB Corps - WLB - Scott Shanle, MLB - Brian Simmons, SLB - Scott Fujita. Backups - Dhani Jones, Trev Faulk, Troy Evans, Marvin Mitchell.
There will be plenty of exciting battles to keep an eye out for during Saints training camp, and certainly not just the ones I listed. Look out for the battle at the DT spots as well. With veteran Brian Young expected to miss some of Training Camp with a foot injury look for one of the younger guys Antwan Lake, Rodney Leisle, Lance Legree, or McKinley Boykin to try and step up and show they are starting material. Newcomer Kendrick Clancy might get some reps there as well in practice. Although he primarily should compete with Hollis Thomas at the Nose Tackle spot. Sean Payton will push the players to work hard, and will build up their physical and mental toughness as he runs another year of one of the toughest Training Camps around the league.
a machine." Said the coach.
