New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton defends team selecting punter in NFL draft
By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The Saints saved their biggest splash of the draft weekend for the fifth round Sunday, when they traded two picks to move up and select punter Thomas Morstead out of SMU.
The move wasn't exactly popular, judging by the overwhelming reaction on message boards and chat rooms. But it filled the biggest need remaining on the Saints' offseason wish list.
"This was a position on our grease board at the end of the season that was a need, " said Saints Coach Sean Payton, adding that the Saints first considered top free agents Shane Lechler and Michael Koenen before they were locked up by their current teams.
Payton spoke highly of current punter Glenn Pakulak but said even Pakulak would admit that he needs to work on his consistency, and he wanted to bring in some competition at a position that has nagged the Saints for the past three years.
Full Story – Nola.Com
By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The Saints saved their biggest splash of the draft weekend for the fifth round Sunday, when they traded two picks to move up and select punter Thomas Morstead out of SMU.
The move wasn't exactly popular, judging by the overwhelming reaction on message boards and chat rooms. But it filled the biggest need remaining on the Saints' offseason wish list.
"This was a position on our grease board at the end of the season that was a need, " said Saints Coach Sean Payton, adding that the Saints first considered top free agents Shane Lechler and Michael Koenen before they were locked up by their current teams.
Payton spoke highly of current punter Glenn Pakulak but said even Pakulak would admit that he needs to work on his consistency, and he wanted to bring in some competition at a position that has nagged the Saints for the past three years.
Full Story – Nola.Com