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Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton Talk About OTAs Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On Yesterday 11:22 AM

Full Story – New Orleans Saints.Com

Sean Payton
On starting Organized Team Activities this week:
“In the last five weeks, I think we had a really good turnout, we are at 100 percent (participation) right now with the offseason program. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we start with the OTAs (Organized Team Activities), it’s good to see these guys and last week we had the rookies in. That’s kind of a crash course for those guys to bring them up to speed as quickly as possible. But everyone is here so we are looking forward to getting started. Tomorrow is the first time we are really kind of doing some football team activities and I think guys are excited about that. The weight room and the conditioning element have gone very well.”

On what’s it like to be back:
“It’s obviously exciting, it’s good to be back around the coaches and the players, and there are a lot of new faces. But I think now, it’s been a number of months, so you kind of get into a routine. Certainly I’m anxious to have a chance to see some of these guys on the field that I haven’t seen.”

By New Orleans Saints.Com

Full Story – New Orleans Saints.Com

New Orleans Saints Working Through Defensive Transition Under Rob Ryan Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On Yesterday 11:20 AM

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

Some would say the New Orleans Saints got a gift this offseason when they landed defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The veteran DC was unfairly put on the chopping block in Dallas, but now he’s got a new life in the Big Easy.

Part of the hiring of Ryan, is that fact that he plays a 3-4 defensive scheme. So naturally, there’s going to be an adjustment process for the returning players. One such veteran that this change is directly impacting, is none other than captain Will Smith.

Smith will now be shifting from defensive end, to outside linebacker. Head coach Sean Payton recently acknowledged the transition for the defense’s captain:

By Andrew Fisher / Rant Sports

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

Kids learn football, life skills at Saints training camp Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On Yesterday 11:18 AM

Full Story – WLOX.Com

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) -
Young New Orleans Saints fans got to test out their football skills while learning some life skills in Ocean Springs, Tuesday. Hancock Bank teamed up with the Saints to sponsor a Junior Training Camp for Ocean Springs Middle School.

The teens channeled their inner football all-star as they competed in physical drills to show off their athletic skills.

"The Saints are my favorite team. I was born in New Orleans and have season tickets for them," one student said.

For those who didn't want to play football, they danced with Saintsations.

By Patrice Clark / WLOX

Full Story – WLOX.Com

NFL, Microsoft combining to upgrade interactive TV viewing of pro football games Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-21-2013 09:27 PM

Full Story – Nola.Com

Imagine New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton holding up a Surface tablet instead of a cardboard playsheet on the sideline. Envision Peyton Manning sitting on the bench and dissecting the last series from a variety of camera angles on his hand-held device instead of looking at still photos. Or sitting at home and pulling up real-time highlights on a Sunday afternoon.

It's coming.

The NFL and Microsoft, through its next generation Xbox device, are combining to upgrade interactive TV viewing of pro football games in a multiyear agreement announced Tuesday. The next step after that, perhaps as early as 2014, will be bringing technology to the sidelines on tablets.

By Associated Press / Times-Picayune

Full Story – Nola.Com

New Orleans Saints chat with Mike Triplett Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-21-2013 04:50 PM

Full Story – Nola.Com

cwacycle: When you get OTA access later this week, what will be your first questions for the coaches, and what are you most looking forward to seeing on the field with the players?

Mike Triplett, NOLA.com: Definitely Rob Ryan and the defensive changes. I want to see how guys are being used, what they think of the new defense and Ryan's style/personality. Hopefully we'll get to talk to Ryan as well, though I don't know if that will be the case.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm particularly interested in seeing how the OLBs and Ss develop and enjoy their roles in the new D.

By Mike Triplett / Times Picayune

Full Story – Nola.Com

Saints and Pelicans Announce Hiring of Doug Tatum as Executive Director of Digital Media Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 07:34 PM

Full Story – New Orleans Saints.Com

The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans announced Monday the hiring of Doug Tatum as the Executive Director of Digital Media.

Tatum joins the organization after having served 13 years, first as deputy then as lead sports editor, for the state’s largest newspaper, The Times-Picayune. Most recently, Tatum helped usher NOLA.com through a transition phase that saw the reduction of The Times-Picayune from a daily newspaper to a more digitally focused endeavor.

Tatum will oversee the direction of all digital media properties and the support staffs for both the Saints and Pelicans, including all social media accounts and all team related mobile and email platforms. He will also manage the team’s overall digital marketing strategy, mobile commerce, digital advertising and search initiatives.

By New Orleans Saints.Com

Full Story – New Orleans Saints.Com

New Orleans Saints eager to start organized team activities Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 04:03 PM

Full Story – Nola.Com

For the first since the 2011 season when New Orleans Saints bowed out of the playoffs with a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Saints Coach Sean Payton will lead his team onto the field.

Beginning Tuesday, Payton, who missed the entire 2012 season while serving a suspension for his role in the Saints' infamous bounty scandal, will put the Saints through a series of organized team activities. The Saints will hold OTA practice sessions on Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, May 28-30, June 10-13. The practices are closed to the public.

"This is kind of your first chance to feel some of the rewards that you are getting from the work that you put in," Saints right tackle Zach Strief said of the OTAs. "So that'll be good. And I'm certainly excited to be getting Sean back out on the field with us.

By Nakia Hogan / Times-Picayune

Full Story – Nola.Com

Sean Payton: 'Mr. Positive' for 2013 New Orleans Saints Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 04:01 PM

Full Story – NFL.Com

Sean Payton's return to the New Orleans Saints' sidelines will be one of the biggest storylines throughout the 2013 regular season. But in many ways, his return to coaching already is in full swing.

Payton is setting a tone that looks to get past all things "Bountygate," rather than use his exile as a motivating factor.

"I think the early returns on Sean Payton's enthusiasm and verve for the New Orleans Saints job are extremely positive," Peter King of SI.com wrote Monday. "He's Mr. Positive, from what I hear, instead of Mr. Bitter."

By Greg Rosenthal / NFL.Com

Full Story – NFL.Com

New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 03:59 PM

Full Story – Nola.Com

The New Orleans Saints may be thinking a little outside the box while building their 3-4 defense inside the box as veteran defensive end Will Smith will open up Organized Team Activities on Tuesday at outside linebacker.

Saints Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis each confirmed Smith's shift Monday morning at the Saints Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Chateau Golf and Country Club in Kenner.

"Look, Will's a really good football player," Loomis said. "We'll find a place for Will to be playing, but I think ideally it would be outside linebacker. I think that's where we see him and that's where he'll start out in camp.

By Larry Holder / Times-Picayune

Full Story – Nola.Com

2013 NFL Season Preview: Odds of Each Team Winning Super Bowl Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 01:02 PM

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

Now that the 2013 NFL Draft is over, football fans have a multitude of opinions and predictions of how their team will fare come September. It is easy to get excited after the draft, knowing your team (hopefully) improved itself in the necessary areas. Now that your franchise has bettered themselves through the draft, the rookies join their respective teams and their teammates in OTA’s along with a few new faces obtained through free agency.

Maybe your team added a couple of big names like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Seattle Seahawks. On the other hand, you could be looking at your team’s management scratching your head, wondering why they lost more than they gained via free agency. Most Green Bay Packers fans would be in this boat, having not signed any big names and losing guys like Charles Woodson and Greg Jennings. Or, you could be mildly pleased with your team’s additions, having added a few solid players but not one real enormous splash was made.

Regardless of your perspective on that team closest to your heart, right now the slate is clean and it’s time to get down to business. The league is full of new coaches, new playbooks and a new attitude geared towards success next season. If you are not a member of the Baltimore Ravens, you have no reason to boast. There is one winner every season, and the good news is that last season is over and this season has yet to begin. Every team is in the same situation heading into this year, and on any given Sunday, anything can happen.

By Ryan Heckman / Rant Sports

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

Moss Point's Tom Johnson seeks new position with Saints Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 11:09 AM

Full Story –Houma .Com

Moss Point native Tom Johnson spent his first two seasons with the Saints securing his role as a contributor, a defensive tackle that could be relied on to come off the bench and make plays.

Johnson said this week he's ready for a new position in the Saints' new defense, and he's ready for his role to expand.

"I want to be a starter over here," Johnson said. "That's just what it is. I feel like as long as I come out and do me, and continue to grind, it's going to happen.

"I've been here two years now. The only person holding me back is me."

By Gary Estwick / Sun Herald

Full Story –Houma .Com

Akiem Hicks prepares to burn bright in second Saints season Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-20-2013 08:49 AM

Full Story – SportsNola.Com

It could be an ideal fit for a big man on a mission whether Akiem Hicks acts as a battering ram collapsing the pocket or gobbling up runners like a spider pounces on victims caught in the web.

Hicks (6'5-323), a second year defensive lineman, is anxiously anticipating where he'll play in the new 3-4 alignment that New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will implement for the 2013 season.

"I'm preparing to play everything, nose tackle, 3-tech or defensive end," Hicks explained. "When you're inside, you've got to take on the double team. Playing defensive end is the most fun. It allows you to make plays. It's been an accumulation of everything I've learned. There are so many possibilities."

By Rene Nadeau / SportsNola.Com

Full Story – SportsNola.Com

Mike Detillier's Top 32 Prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft Posted By: Dan in Lafayette Posted On 05-19-2013 10:35 AM

Mike Detillier's Top 32 Prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft

1. Jadeveon Clowney- Defensive End South Carolina

My highest ranked defensive end prospect since Bruce Smith came out of Virginia Tech in 1985. Clowney's defensive playmaking skills are off the charts and the 6-5 ½, 270 pounder has great edge speed and closing skills to the ballcarrier. Despite constant double-team blocking he recorded 54 tackles, 23 ½ tackles for losses, 3 forced fumbles and 13 quarterback sacks in 2012.

2. Teddy Bridgewater- Quarterback Louisville

Bridgewater is a tremendous overall athlete who has excellent size, a strong arm and he has 1st rate accuracy skills in the pocket. His ability to move around outside the pocket is outstanding and he buys extra time for his receivers to get open downfield. The 6-3, 220-pounder completed 66.9% of his passes in 2012, he threw for 5,847 yards and 41 touchdowns.

3. Tajh Boyd-Quarterback Clemson

Boyd reminds me in so many ways of former Tennessee Titans QB Steve McNair. The Clemson standout passer is one tough dude hanging in the pocket until the last second to make a throw, he throws accurately from the pocket, he has excellent mobility skills and he is dangerous running with the ball. He completed 67.2% of his passes in 2012. Boyd passed for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior. He would have been the first QB off the 2013 NFL draft board, had he decided to come out early.

4. Marqise Lee- Wide Receiver USC

The 2012 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner caught 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 scores for the Trojans. The 6-0, 200 pound Lee has very sure hands, great foot speed and explosive openfield moves. Lee is not only a gold chip "stretch" receiver, but he also excels in the return game averaging 28.5 yards per runback on kickoff returns.

5. Jake Matthews-Offensive Tackle Texas A&M

Jake has some strong football genes in him being the son of former Houston Oilers NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. The 6-5, 305 pounder is a very good technician, he is a strong in-line run blocker and a very good pass protector. Has started for the Aggies since...

Leaders of the SEC pack Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-19-2013 01:48 AM

Full Story –Daily Comet.Com

Since the mid-2000's, the Southeastern Conference has become the premier league in college football.

From Alabama to Auburn to LSU and Florida, the BCS national champions have come from the SEC over the past few seasons.

From week to week, no conference plays defense or produces as many NFL caliber players like the SEC.

Over the past five seasons, the University of Southern California has produced the most NFL players drafted into the league.

Despite suffering the sting of an NCAA investigation, mainly centered around former USC and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, and the strict penalties following the investigation, the Trojans have produced 34 draft choices to the NFL over the past five seasons. Six of those players were first round selections.

By Mike Detillier-NFL Analyst / Daily Comet

Full Story –Daily Comet.Com

New Orleans Saints Add Depth at Defensive Tackle Posted By: mvtrucking Posted On 05-19-2013 01:44 AM

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

With the New Orleans Saints switching to a 3-4 defense, the team will need a defensive tackle to anchor the defense. The Saints were planning on using Akiem Hicks at defensive tackle, but they also drafted John Jenkins in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Both players seem capable of playing the nose tackle in the 3-4 defense, but both are inexperienced in playing that position at the professional level.

In order to add some depth, the Saints added defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui.

Aaitui spent some time last season with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, and has only every played in the preseason with four tackles and a sack. He will likely compete for a backup spot at defensive tackle, but having an extra player for the position will be valuable to the Saints.

By Alejandro Aviles / Rant Sports

Full Story – Rant Sports.Com

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Original Stories

Mike Detillier's Top 32 Prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft
Posted On 05-19-2013

What to expect with the move to the 3-4: Personnel and Scheme
Posted On 02-12-2013

What to expect with the move to the 3-4: Personnel and Scheme

by TCUDan

I have held off on giving my assessment of our move to the 3-4 until now because there simply was not enough information out there. And there still may not be. But before now, everything was speculation--who would be playing where, who would be cut, 2 gap vs. 1 gap, etc. Now that there has been a little more information put out there, directly from the coaches, I'm going to extrapolate and break down my vision of what this means for the team.

The Base Scheme

Under Rob Ryan, the Saints are moving to a 3-4 defense, as we all know. Ryan comes from the same coaching tree as GW, so the concepts are going to be quite familiar to the players. The difference is going to start with base alignment and go from there.

There's been a lot of speculation on the forum about whether we're going to run a 2-gap or 1-gap 3-4. What's the difference? Simply put, it's what you're asking your defensive line to do. In a 2-gap scheme, you're asking your DL to ANCHOR. To hold their ground, create push, and force a double team to hold long enough for the LB’s to stay clean and move to the action. It's called "2-gap" because they are playing 2 gaps. Their POA is the chest of the OL in front of them... they read and react to the gaps on either side of them.

1-gap, you're asking your linemen to penetrate and disrupt. A lot has been made over how JJ Watt and Justin Smith before him have revolutionized the 3-4 DE position. Well, that's because they're being asked to play like 4-3 lineman. They're being asked to beat the guy in front of them, shoot gaps and make plays... not to just eat up space so everyone else can get in on the action.

We will be 1-gapping. How do I know this? Because Payton said specifically that we will be using 4-3 concepts like Over and Under fronts. This is the best course of action, as it will give our young, talented DE's... Cam Jordan, in particular... a chance to make plays like Watt and Smith.

The Sub-packages

Like GW before him, Rob Ryan makes his living off his sub-packages. Ryan, in particular, gets really creative with his alignment on passing downs and brings guys from everywhere to get the QB. Whereas the advantage of the 3-4 vs. the 4-3 is that... Read More...

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