METAIRIE, La. (AP) -The New Orleans Saints’ roster is beginning to look crowded at left tackle.
The defending Super Bowl champions used their second-round pick – 64th overall – on Southern California lineman Charles Brown on Friday night, adding him to a squad that already has three experienced left tackles in Jammal Brown, Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief.
“This was a case of best available player, and the best available player for us on our board by far,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “There’s nothing wrong with stockpiling offensive linemen – and tackles in particular – and that’s part of our thinking here.”
In the third round, with the 95th overall choice, the Saints took Miami tight end Jimmy Graham, a four-year player on Miami’s basketball team who joined the football squad in 2009 and caught 17 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns.
receiving.
“When you start this process there are a few guys that you’re very attached to and he was one of those guys for us,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “We’re excited about not just what he can do three years from now, but what he can do right now when you watch him. … He’s got a unique skill set.”
Although the Saints are now four deep at left tackle, Loomis said last week that New Orleans would be open to drafting another good tackle because they are usually versatile enough to play most positions on the offensive line.
The move also gives the Saints flexibility to trade Jammal Brown, a restricted free agent who skipped voluntary workouts this week out of apparent unhappiness with the contract offer he received.
Jammal Brown missed all of last season with a hip injury that thrust Bushrod into the starting lineup for the first time in his career. Bushrod, who has already signed his restricted free agent tender offer, protected Drew Brees’ blind side all the way through the Super Bowl. Strief filled in at tackle and also worked as a blocking tight end.
Loomis said the Saints have spoken with several teams interested in trading for Jammal Brown, who was picked 13th overall in the first round of the 2005 draft and has twice been selected for the Pro Bowl.
is said. “We certainly didn’t draft Charles with idea we’re moving on from Jammal. We like the tackles we have.”
Loomis also noted that Charles Brown could be a little bit of a “development guy,” noting that he’d only started two seasons at USC after being recruited as a tight end and then converted to tackle while he was a redshirt freshman in 2005. Although the younger Brown needs to get stronger and work on his technique, his athleticism and general upside give him a shot to compete for playing time this year, Loomis added.
The 6-foot-5, 303-pound Trojan standout was first team All-Pac 10 in 2009 and was the 10th offensive tackle taken in the draft. He said he was “a little surprised” to be taken by New Orleans, a team he never visited or spoke to leading up the draft. That didn’t diminish his enthusiasm.
“I screamed and I told the coach I’m ready to compete for another Super Bowl,” he said, referring to the call he got from head coach Sean Payton just before the Saints formally selected him. “He said he wanted me to come in and compete. Being a left tackle in the NFL would be great but I’ll play anywhere.”
round beyond 2010.
Graham, meanwhile, has high hopes to play right away despite his limited college football background. He attended the Saints’ Super Bowl victory in Miami, wearing a Saints hat.
“I definitely think I can help immediately,” said Graham, a self-described Saints fan who knows and admires Shockey. “I definitely have the ability to stretch the field with my speed and size and I have an opportunity to get past the safeties. I’m very good in one-on-one coverage. And I think that that’s where I’ll be able to help early and also in special teams.”
Add A Comment