Saints Nation: 5 Up and Coming Saints Players to Keep an Eye Out For in 2010

As we approach closer to training camp, below is 5 players we should keep an eye on as Saints fans. They may not be established yet, but they have shown enough promise that they may be poised for breakout seasons in 2010.

5. WR/PR Rod Harper: It's hard to say if Harper will make the roster again in 2010 or not because it's crowded at receiver, but Harper was impressive in beating out Adrian Arrington for a final roster spot at the beginning of last season. He was by far the most impressive punt returner on the roster, and it's not impossible he'll get more looks in 2010 there. While the Saints value Reggie's explosiveness on punt returns, his performance in 2009 was disastrous on punt returns. Not till the playoffs, where he ran one back for a touchdown against the Cardinals, did Bush has any success returning punts. Harper is explosive and extremely talented. He is also a blossoming receiver with big play ability and good hands. If he can stay healthy, he may contribute on a weekly basis during the regular season. 

4. LB Jonathan Casillas: Don't be surprised if this undrafted rookie free agent from a year ago beats out veteran Clint Ingram and current starter Jo-Lonn Dunbar for a starting spot at linebacker now that Scott Fujita is gone. In fill in roles last season he showed a lot of aggression, ability and promise. His weakness was over-pursuing plays at times, but that's something that can be improved with practice and coaching. He has the size, speed and technique to become a viable starter.

3. K Garrett Hartley: Some of you may already consider Hartley an established fixture, but his career is currently comprised of just two half seasons. The Saints picked him up half way through 2008, and he sat out the first four games of 2009 due to suspension before taking more time to regain his kicking role from John Carney. This will be Hartley's first chance to play through an entire season and cement himself as a reliable NFL kicker. Hartley didn't miss a kick in 13 tries in 2008, and he made huge kicks in the playoffs throughout the Saints' magical SuperBowl run. There's no question he has accuracy, leg strength, and the ability to make big kicks under pressure. Those three things can add up to a kicker having a very long, and very successful career. This will be the first time Hartley has a chance to build on his promising start for a full season.

2. HB Lynell Hamilton (pictured): The Saints' decision to pass on matching the Eagles' signing sheet offer to Mike Bell, despite the fact that they received no compensation, tells you all you need to hear about Hamilton. Clearly the Saints feel good about his performance, and how ready he is to step into the role Mike Bell had last year. Towards the end of the year, Hamilton was already starting get the short yardage reps ahead of Bell. Expect Hamilton to be second in the pecking order behind Pierre Thomas to get the bruising carries. Reggie Bush's role won't change with Bell gone, so my expectation is it'll just increase the load Hamilton has. He could be poised to have a big year, including many goal line carries, which could mean lots of touchdowns and some fantasy value.

1. DT Anthony Hargrove: Expect Hargrove's role to increase in 2010. He'll be lined up at DT on every single passing down, but don't be shocked if he lines up at end some on running downs as well. My prediction is that Hargrove will have upwards of 5 sacks on the season, and be a huge part of the Saints' success rushing the passer in 2010. I still think the Ellis-Ayodele combination is what we'll see on 1st and 10, but the Saints will want to give Hargrove more time on the field based on how well he played last year.

Saints Nation Fans Have Spoken: Jahri Evans is the Sean Payton Era's Best 4th Round Draft Pick

No surprise that Jahri Evans received 91% of the vote in the Saints Nation poll asking fans which player was the best 4th round pick in the Sean Payton era. It's pretty remarkable how far this product of Bloomsberg College has come, considering he just signed a massive extensive worth over $55 million. Thanks for your participation in the poll and please vote in the new Saints Nation poll on the right side of the site: Which player is the best 5th round draft pick of the Sean Payton era?

Saints Nation: Pierre Thomas and Saints Apparently Far Apart in Contract Negotiations

Reading THIS ARTICLE by Len Pasquarelli clued me in to the news for the first time that there are issues in the contract negotiations between the Saints and Pierre Thomas. There's no doubt that both sides want a long term deal done, but the Saints want to pay Thomas based more on what he's accomplished statistically thus far, whereas Thomas wants to be paid based on what he thinks he could become. If he's really asking for "money in the Steven Jackson range", which is 6 years and almost $45 million, I can see why there's slow progress. Don't get me wrong, Thomas is an awesome back and I would hate to lose him. I think he's a huge part of what the Saints do on offense. But $45 million over 6 years? As Pasquarelli points out, the Saints have already invested a mammoth contract in Jahri Evans, and they're looking at extending Drew Brees in the not too distant future. They have to be vigilant about how they spend their money and they can't spread it around too irresponsibly. This is the price you pay for being successful, and we've seen the Patriots go through it. Some promising young players leave because they want to get the big payday and weaker teams will oblige in paying their asking price. The Saints have too many good players to spend wastefully. The fact that Thomas is skipping OTAs after he said that he wouldn't suggests there's a real problem in negotiations. The article also informs us that Roman Harper is in the same boat. It looks like things are about to get more difficult this offseason for the Saints, and there's no guarantees PT Cruiser and Roman Harper will be with the Saints long term. I still think the Saints want to extend both players long term, but they'll either need to break the bank or the players will need to make some concessions. I'm not sure I see either happening but I'm hoping for the latter.

Saints Nation: Malcolm Jenkins Moved to Free Safety

The big news coming out of OTAs (organized team activities) today, besides the scary news that Jeremy Shockey suffered a seizure, was that cornerback Malcolm Jenkins was getting the bulk of his reps at free safety. Luckily Shockey seems to be fine and they don't expect it's anything overly serious, so let us focus on the latter news instead. If you read the quotes from the article link, it sounds like Jenkins is not officially a free safety as much as he's being moved all over the place. What I take from the news is that the Saints will get creative about ways to get Jenkins on the field this year. I do think Jenkins is being groomed as Darren Sharper's eventual full time replacement, but while Sharper is still on the team starting, Jenkins will play nickel corner, strong safety and free safety depending on the defensive package the Saints implement on any given play. His role in the defensive backfield in the SuperBowl made it clear the Saints count on him as a reliable playmaker on the back end. Most of you will remember he responded by playing a fantastic game.

This news does make life more difficult for Chip Vaughn, Usama Young and Pierson Prioleau. Why? Well, it means the Saints have one more player that's in the mix at free safety that they can use. Based on Jenkins' skill and promise, I think he's immediately thrust ahead of all those players in the pecking order. It means the three players above are going to see the field less in passing downs, and they're going to have to impress more on special teams. Keep an eye on how those 3 players perform in camp and preseason, because at least one will likely be cut before the 53 man roster is finalized.

Saints Nation: Pierre Thomas and Jammal Brown Are No Shows at OTAs

The Saints still have four restricted free agents that do not have signed contracts with the team. While Lance Moore and Roman Harper haven't let that prevent them from coming to OTAs, Pierre Thomas and Jammal Brown have elected not to participate as they hold out for contracts. Before anyone panics, we all know that a long term extension is coming for Thomas. My guess is that his extension is Mickey Loomis' offseason priority at this point, so I expect something to get done in the not too distant future. I am a little surprised PT decided to skip these practices, though, because I was under the impression he wasn't going to put up much distraction while his contract was worked out. Perhaps they've come to a sticking point in negotiations and his agent advised him to change his approach to help things along? Long term deals for running backs are always the toughest to negotiate, because the back feels like they're a playmaking contributor that deserves a hefty sum, and the team fears investing too much long term in a position that is so vulnerable to injury. I think most running backs realize their durability is less assured than some positions, so that adds to the issue as they want to get paid while they're healthy.

As we've discussed ad nauseam about Jammal Brown, there's still no telling where that is going. With the Saints trusting Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief, and with them drafting Charles Brown, they don't need to invest longterm in Jammal. Based on his latest injury he does not have much of a bargaining chip. I still think he could get traded, but you can't trade a player with no contract. I could speculate about how that situation will resolve itself, but the reality is neither I nor anyone else (possibly including the Saints' front office) have any idea.

Good to see Roman and Lance getting their practice in regardless of the lack of movement in their long term deals. I'm sure they'll get their deals locked down, too, soon enough.

Saints Nation: Top 15 Bubble Players to Make Final 53 Man Roster for New Orleans Saints

Below are the players I consider "bubble players", or players that are right in between being the last to make the squad and last to get cut. Here's 15 guys I believe will stick around till the very end and have their future as New Orleans Saints decided on the final day of cuts:

15. WR/PR Rod Harper: Harper was a surprise to make the 2009 roster thanks to his impressive explosiveness on punt returns. In fact, he likely cost Courtney Roby his opening day roster spot thanks to his special team prowess (Roby would later come back to the team in week 2). Harper also showed some impressive ability as a receiver, but he was placed on IR early in the season and never saw the field during the season. He'll have to bounce back from injury, and have an equally improbable run this camp/preseason to have a chance at landing another roster spot.


14. DE Jeff Charleston: The Saints went out and added both Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson this offseason to add depth at defensive end, while subtracting Charles Grant. With Will Smith now less likely to serve a suspension, and Bobby McCray still on the roster, Charleston has an uphill battle to climb. Remember Anthony Hargrove can also play defensive end and the Saints like his versatility, so that also plays against Charleston's chances. Charleston had a lot of opportunities last year thanks to Charles Grant going down to injuries and Bobby McCray dealing with back issues all season, and he never impressed. He showed more promise in less reps in 2008, so he'll need to return to that form if he wants any chance to make the team.


13. LB Troy Evans: As always, Evans will make this team if he can prove his value on special teams. Evans also made it clear last year that he's a complete liability on defense in two spot starts. He's a proven commodity on special teams, so to me that's the only way he's making the team. He's got to prove once again that his abilities there are too good to pass up.


12. CB Leigh Torrence: Torrence, like Evans, will have his best shot at making the team by proving his worth on special teams. Drafting Patrick Robinson in the 1st round, as well as the return of Darren Sharper (which means Malcolm Jenkins stays at corner for now) has all of a sudden made for a very crowded, very good, and very young cornerback rotation. I'm not sure if Torrence factors in the equation there anymore, especially given his average play in spot duty last season. There is no question he's one of the best Saints on special teams, but that will dictate odds.


11. C Nick Leckey: Leckey was a backup most of last season to Jonathan Goodwin, and he's an experienced veteran that the Saints trust. The Saints drafted Matt Tennant of Boston College in this year's draft, however, and Leckey will face stiff competition from a promising youngster. I think the Saints hope, in a perfect world, that Tennant outperforms Leckey so they can trust him longterm with the backup center responsibility.


10. WR Adrian Arrington: The infatuation and buzz that most Saints fans have with this player is starting to wear off. He's shown promise, but has two flop seasons to show for it. After spending 2008 on IR the entire season, Arrington didn't make the final roster in 2009 and was shipped to the practice squad, before getting a late season call up. Ultimately, Arrington is never going to pass Colston, Henderson, Meachem and Lance Moore on the depth chart. I think Courtney Roby at kick returner is a lock, too, so Arrington's odds are based on whether or not the Saints keep 5 or 6 receivers. If they keep six, he has to prove that he's their 5th best (because Roby, while not better, will make the team). Right now that spot belongs to him, but it's no given he can stay healthy, and it's no given he'll outperform guys like Rod Harper that are playing hard behind him. An injury to one of the top guys helps his chances immensely, but he's going to need an impressive and injury free camp/preseason to pull this off.


9. S Chip Vaughn: I like this guy, but it's an uphill battle when you're only season with the Saints as a rookie in 2009 was spent on IR in it's entirety. We pretty much have no idea how good this guy is. Here's what we do know: the Saints will probably keep 5 safeties, and Roman Harper and Darren Sharper are locks. That leaves Chris Reis, Pierson Prioleau, Usama Young and Vaughn to battle for 3 spots. Vaughn will need to be healthy, and prove he's more valuable on special teams than at least one of those three players. No easy feat, but Reis, Young and Prioleau are all excellent special teamers.


8. LB Stanley Arnoux: Like Vaughn, he spent all of 2009 on IR. Tough way to spend your rookie season to be sure. Arnoux is coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon, though, so his injury was a major one. It's going to be tougher for him to come back than most of the others listed above. The Saints invested a relatively high draft pick in him last year, but Sean Payton has shown in his time with the Saints that he's never afraid to cut a player the Saints have invested in in favor of a better performer. Guys like Colston, Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore, to name a few, have become roster staples because Payton is committed to playing the best. Arnoux is going to have to show his abilities and prove he's recovered from that serious injury. 


7. FB Jason McKie: McKie is a solid player that under normal circumstances should be a lock, but the Saints have historically only carried one fullback on the roster. Assuming he's recovered from his knee injury, which is no given, Heath Evans is the unquestioned starter at fullback. That said, McKie's hopes of making the team are contingent on either Evans not being 100% or the team making a change in philosophy. I actually think both are possible. Evans sustained a major injury that's tough to come back from, and I'm sure the Saints will want to gradually ease him into the fold. Also worth considering is that Mike Karney in 2008 and Evans in 2009 sustained injuries as the lone fullback on the roster, leaving the Saints depleted at the position in consecutive years. The Saints went scrambling on the open market to find replacements, and never really found anything suitable. Past history has burned the Saints, so they may be looking at keeping two fullbacks this year to start the season to leave themselves less vulnerable to the same problem. David Thomas filled in ok last year, but let's be serious, fullback is not his position.


6. S Pierson Prioleau: Given the fact that he's 32 and a 12 year veteran, I think Payton would ideally like to see Chip Vaughn perform well and steal a roster spot away from Prioleau. That said, we also know that Prioleau is a favorite of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, as he's played for him on three different teams. Prioleau is no lock, but he's a steady rotation defender and a great special teamer. He's been around the league long enough that he knows what he needs to do to make the team.


5. S Chris Reis: Reis is not only a standout special teamer, he emerged as the primary backup to Roman Harper at strong safety last season. That was a little surprising, but Reis performed fairly well when he played. I think Reis' standing with the team is currently more secure than Prioleau's and Vaughn's, because he's #2 at strong safety and a better special teamer than both, but we'll have to see if that remains the case.  


4. DT DeMario Pressley (pictured): I'm surprised Pressley didn't get more reps last year because he played well when he was in, but the drafting of Al Woods complicates things for Pressley. Last year's starters Remi Ayodele and Sedrick Ellis are locks, and you figure Hargrove and Al Woods are locks too. It's hard to imagine the Saints keeping 5 defensive tackles on the roster, and there is no way the Saints are letting Hargrove or Woods go. Pressley will have to outperform Ayodele, who's a much more efficient run stopper, to make the team. An injury ahead of him would also increase his chances.


3. LB Marvin Mitchell: Mitchell saw the field a decent amount last year when Gregg Williams decided to employ a 3-4 defense and played pretty well. Mitchell is the primary backup to Jonathan Vilma at middle linebacker and I don't really see that changing unless Stanley Arnoux comes in and blows the staff's socks off. That scenario is possible, but also pretty unlikely.


2. S Usama Young: Young was the primary backup at free safety last year, and it seemed like he handled himself pretty well. He did record an interception when he came in in a spot start for Darren Sharper. He also was burned badly on a touchdown pass in the SuperBowl. I think Young's roster spot is pretty safe, but I'm not really certain how the move from corner to safety is going for him. Not only are Prioleau and Vaughn vying for his playing time, but a possible move from Malcolm Jenkins to free safety somewhere down the line could really threaten his roster spot. That may be this year, or it may be two years from now. Usama Young is one of the most reliable special teamers with the team, though, so that alone should keep him safe.


1. CB Randall Gay: Gay didn't have a great year last year, and all of a sudden the Saints have an influx of young talent at corner. What a difference a couple of years makes. With Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter and Malcolm Jenkins all currently ahead of Gay in the pecking order at corner, Gay becomes a rather old and expensive player to be the #4 guy in the rotation. Gay isn't a standout special teamer, either, and typically the further down on the depth chart you are, the more important it is you contribute on special teams. Don't forget the Saints drafted Patrick Robinson, too, in the first round. Still, the Saints will likely keep 5 corners, at least, and it's an uncapped year. I think Gay is pretty safe this season, but he makes a lot of money to be that far down on the depth chart. That's going to come back to bite him eventually. I'm sure the Saints will want at least another year of development from Robinson and Jenkins before they cut the cord. Gay is still a physical and tough player that plays the slot pretty well. I don't see the Saints going with Leigh Torrence over Randall Gay, but it's possible.

Saints Nation: Joe Horn in Saints' Hall of Fame

It was just a matter of time before Joe Horn was added to the Saints Hall of Fame. Today the Saints will announce he is a member of the 2010 class.

Check out some of the accolades he compiled during his time as a receiver for the Saints:

Most all time receiving TDs in Saints history with 50.
Most all time receiving yards in a season with 1399 (he also holds the 2nd, 3rd and 4th most all time).
Tied with Colston for most receiving TDs in a season all time with 11.
2nd most all time for receptions in a season with 94 (done twice, Colston with 98).

2nd most all time for receptions in a career with Saints with 523 (Eric Martin with  532)
2nd most all time for receiving yard in a career with Saints with 7622 (Eric Martin with 7854)

Along with Eric Martin, Joe "Hollywood" Horn is a top two receiver in Saints history without question. Horn was also a member of the team in 2000 that gave the Saints their first playoff victory in team history. The outspoken receiver is probably most known, though, for his cell phone touchdown celebration (pictured) on National TV. That game was a memorable one for Horn's play on the field too. It was his best game, as he caught 9 passes for 133 yards and 4 touchdowns, in a 45-7 beat down of the Giants. He also had 180 yards receiving in a game against the 49ers in 2000, and a 13 catch, 150 yard and a touchdown performance against the Panthers in 2001. Horn played 102 games for the Saints and was the go to playmaker for most of them. He made the Pro Bowl 4 times in 6 seasons with the Saints. The only black mark on Horn's history with the Saints was his departure from the team in 2007, which led to him signing with the arch rival Falcons. Still,I think it's fair to say that's mostly forgiven at this point.

Thanks for the memories #87, glad to see you in the Saints' hall where you belong!