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Player News - Saints

Date: Team: Pos:
Junior Galette - LB - Saints

Junior Galette is expected to be the Saints' starting weak-outside linebacker in Rob Ryan's new 3-4 defense.

Manned by DeMarcus Ware in Dallas and Aldon Smith in San Francisco, the weak side is the primary pass-rushing position in a 3-4 scheme. Galette should have little trouble holding off converted DE Will Smith to start. Galette has 9.5 sacks across the past two seasons, but could flirt with double digits in 2013.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 17 - 2:57 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Saints 2011 third-round pick Martez Wilson will push Victor Butler to start at strong-side outside linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense.

Will Smith and Junior Galette are competing on the weak side. The strong side is less sack- and production-friendly, as it lines up over the tight end and drops into coverage more. Butler is the favorite because of his Dallas ties to Ryan, but Wilson could earn a situational pass-rush role in nickel packages.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 17 - 2:54 PM
Mark Ingram - RB - Saints

The New Orleans Times-Picayune believes "all signs are pointing toward" a "big year" from third-year RB Mark Ingram.

Ingram is healthy for the first time as a pro and will lead the Saints in early-down rushing attempts with Chris Ivory gone to the Jets. Beat writer Mike Triplett believes it's "not unrealistic" for Ingram to flirt with 1,000 yards or double-digit TDs if coach Sean Payton honors his commitment to the run. While that's an optimistic projection, Ingram could be a value in 2013 fantasy drafts.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 17 - 2:20 PM
Isaako Aaitui - DL - Saints

Saints signed DT Isaako Aaitui.

Aaitui spent last summer with the Dolphins and Jets, and he registered four tackles and a sack during preseason action. He'll compete for a backup nose tackle spot behind John Jenkins in the Saints' new 3-4 defense.
May 16 - 6:24 PM
Charles Brown - T - Saints

Charles Brown is expected to get the first crack at the Saints' left tackle job.

Brown, a second-round pick in 2010, has spent the majority of his first three NFL seasons in the trainer's room. He's now facing an all-out competition with free agent acquisition Jason Smith and third-round pick Terron Armstead to replace Jermon Bushrod. "It's definitely time for me to step up and prove myself and prove that I can protect Drew back there," Brown said. It's an area of concern for the Saints.
Related: Jason Smith, Terron Armstead
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 16 - 11:33 AM
Akiem Hicks - DL - Saints

Second-year DL Akiem Hicks is concentrating on defensive end in the Saints' new 3-4 defense.

Following the hiring of DC Rob Ryan, many penciled Hicks in as the starting nose tackle in New Orleans. After the team drafted behemoth NT John Jenkins in the third round of last month's draft, Hicks is now expected to be the top reserve at all three defensive line spots in a Ricky Jean-Francois-esque role.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 15 - 9:06 PM
Baraka Atkins - LB - Saints

Saints signed LB Baraka Atkins.

Atkins was inked after participating in the Saints' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. It's the first we've heard of the 2007 fourth-rounder in over two years. Atkins hasn't appeared in a game since 2008, and is highly unlikely to do so in 2013.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
May 13 - 11:52 AM
John Jenkins - DL - Saints

Saints signed No. 82 pick NT John Jenkins to a four-year contract.

Jenkins is a mammoth presence at 6-foot-4 and anywhere from 346 to 359 pounds -- his weight fluctuated from pre-draft workout to pre-draft workout -- but he has some "Teddy Bear" to him and got pushed around most notably by Kentucky OG Larry Warford in SEC action. The Saints need help at nose tackle in Rob Ryan's new 3-4, so Jenkins could still he headed for a big 2013 role.
May 10 - 2:58 PM
Mark Ingram - RB - Saints

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Mark Ingram is 100 percent healthy for the "first time since he left Alabama."

"I've just been working hard this offseason, trying to get in the best shape of my life," Ingram said. The 2011 first-round pick spent last offseason recovering from knee and toe operations, and was nicked up for a majority of his rookie campaign. Ingram dealt with left knee issues in college. Coach Sean Payton has made it clear he's hoping for an improved run game in 2013, and reporter Mike Triplett believes it's "not unrealistic" to project 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for Ingram. Ingram played better down the stretch last season, but that may be a stretch with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles both still in the picture.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 10 - 8:29 AM
Rufus Johnson - DL - Saints

Saints agreed to terms with No. 183 overall pick DE/OLB Rufus Johnson on a four-year contract.

Johnson (6-foot-5 1/4, 272) is a bit of a 'tweener for the Saints' 3-4 defense. At small school Tarleton State, Johnson recorded ten sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss as a senior. He'll likely focus on special teams as a rookie.
May 9 - 9:04 PM
Kenny Stills - WR - Saints

Saints agreed to terms with No. 144 overall pick WR Kenny Stills on a four-year contract.

Stills is a smooth runner and flashes a second gear when stretching the field, as evidenced by his 4.38 forty. He's one of the few receivers who could be fantasy-relevant as a rookie in the Saints' high-octane offense. Stills will compete with Joe Morgan and Nick Toon for snaps as the third receiver.
May 9 - 9:01 PM
Terron Armstead - T - Saints

Saints agreed to terms with No. 75 overall pick OT Terron Armstead on a four-year contract.

Armstead set a Combine record among offensive linemen with his 4.71 forty, and he has drawn comparisons to Texans All-Pro LT Duane Brown. Armstead will compete with 2010 second-rounder Charles Brown for the starting left tackle job.
May 9 - 8:57 PM
Kenny Vaccaro - DB - Saints

Saints agreed to terms with No. 15 overall pick S Kenny Vaccaro on a four-year contract.

Vaccaro is the first 2013 first-round pick to sign his deal. The consensus No. 1 safety in the class, Vaccaro is a rangy and versatile free safety who is capable of playing deep or covering the slot. His addition to the Saints is expected to push incumbent FS Malcolm Jenkins to nickel back.
May 9 - 8:49 PM
Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints

Pierre Thomas said "there's going to be more focus this year on that ground game than any year" for the Saints.

"[Coach] Sean [Payton] talked about that when he came back," Thomas said. "He said we've got to get back to running the ball, having 100-yard games non-stop. I can't wait. I'm excited and I know everybody else is excited." Thomas looks to be the main beneficiary from Chris Ivory's trade to New York. A year after rushing for 562 yards and five touchdowns while checking in as fantasy's No. 27 running back, Thomas rushed for just 473 yards and one score in 2012. Mark Ingram will likely handle much of the early-down work.
Related: Mark Ingram
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 8 - 10:21 PM
Malcolm Jenkins - DB - Saints

FS Malcolm Jenkins insists he's fine with the Saints using their first-round pick on Texas S Kenny Vaccaro.

Jenkins has made it a point not to treat Vaccaro's arrival the way Reggie Bush did Mark Ingram's in 2011. Bush infamously tweeted "It’s been fun New Orleans" after the Saints took Ingram with the No. 28 pick. "It makes it an awkward situation in the locker room," Jenkins said. Jenkins is coming off a horrific season, but his roster spot appears to be secure. GM Mickey Loomis has said Jenkins could see snaps in the slot as a way to get him on the field at the same time as Vaccaro and Roman Harper.
Related: Kenny Vaccaro
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate
May 6 - 10:16 AM

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