Have the Saints tipped their hand

Well, sorry if this is a re-post, but Sean Peyton said on NFLTA last night that they will be shifting Brown to LT, for whatever that's worth.

 

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1144391179202420.xml

Saints deal Gandy; will try Brown at LT
Move opens possiblity that N.O. may select Ferguson
Friday, April 07, 2006
By Jimmy Smith
Staff writer

The Saints traded starting left tackle Wayne Gandy on Thursday, the day before the club's first minicamp, giving the team five practices to determine if last year's first-round choice, Jammal Brown, can successfully switch sides or whether the team should draft Virginia left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson with their top pick.

In return from the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints obtained safety Bryan Scott and a future conditional draft choice.

General Manager Mickey Loomis, in meetings for the next two weeks with the team's scouting staff, would only say, via e-mail, on Thursday, "We're moving Jammal Brown to left tackle."

Ferguson, the top-rated offensive lineman in the draft, is represented by Donald Yee, the same agent as new head coach Sean Payton.

Yee did not return a telephone call Thursday.

The Saints own the second overall pick in the April 29-30 draft. The Houston Texans are expected to select Southern California running back Reggie Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with the first choice.

Before the Saints' signing of free-agent quarterback Drew Brees last month, speculation centered on New Orleans selecting a quarterback with the second choice.

With Brees coming off arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder to repair a torn labrum and damaged rotator cuff, he will be unable to throw the football at least until training camp.

If the Saints are convinced Brees can rehabilitate the injury in time to participate in camp at the end of July and start the regular season, drafting a left tackle to protect his blind side might become a priority.

Brown, 6 feet 6, 313 pounds, started 13 games at right tackle for the Saints as a rookie last season.

Ferguson, who measured 6-5, 305 pounds at Virginia's pro day on March 21, is considered by scouts to be a prototypical left tackle who can only improve by adding strength and bulk to his frame. An All-America selection, Ferguson has already earned his degree in religious studies. He's a youth minister at his church with an impeccable personal background, considered a major plus for any NFL team.

Whether the Saints want to spend the second overall selection on an offensive lineman, however, is uncertain.

The New York Jets, who covet a quarterback in this draft, pick fourth and have a second first-round pick at No. 29. The Tennessee Titans, who pick third, also desire a quarterback.

Because both teams want to pick a quarterback, should the Saints trade down to third or fourth, it's likely Ferguson will be available at either spot.

Since the end of the 2005 season, the Saints have lost starting center LeCharles Bentley, a Pro-Bowler who signed as a free agent with Cleveland, and starting left guard Kendyl Jacox, whom they recently released.

The Saints are counting on the return of backup tackle Jon Stinchcomb, a second-round draft choice in 2003 from Georgia, from a ruptured right patellar tendon that landed him on the injured reserve list last year.

Payton was unavailable for comment Thursday, but said at last week's owners' meeting in Orlando that he saw the need for improvement along the Saints' offensive line when he assessed the team's game tape from last season, but wouldn't say if the team was looking for a certain type of offensive lineman.

"I want someone who's smart and tough," Payton said. "I do think it's hard to pigeonhole just a certain size. I think that good offensive linemen come in different shapes and sizes. But I think toughness and someone who's a thinker is important, especially at that position."

Scott, 6-1, 219 pounds, is entering his fourth year and has started 35 of 47 career games at safety or cornerback for the Falcons. His most productive season was 2004, when he had 96 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and 10 special teams tackles.

He was a second-round pick by the Falcons from Penn State in 2003.

. . . . . . .


Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814.

 

I wouldn't mind see the Panthers trade up and get brick

 

Guess we picked a shitty year not to suck.:banginghe