Category Archives: Saints/NFL

Trip to Arizona

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Saints vs Vikings

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Super Bowl XLIV

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Saints’ First Round Draft Pick 2009

From NFL.com:

Malcolm Jenkins (CB)
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 204
College: Ohio State
Conference: Big 10
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
High School: Piscataway

Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.54 seconds
Bench Press : 15.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 33.0 inches
Broad Jump : 124.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 6.59 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.07 seconds

Selected by: New Orleans Saints
Round: 1
Pick (Overall): 14 (14)
Discuss
Pick Analysis: The Saints continue to address their woeful secondary with the selection of Jenkins. As a versatile defender with outstanding cover skills, Jenkins fills a huge need at corner or safety. Though the team signed Darren Sharper in the offseason, Jenkins could eventually supplant the former Pro Bowler as the team’s starting free safety.

Overview

Jenkins is regarded as the best Big Ten Conference defensive back since Michigan’s Charles Woodson terrorized league quarterbacks and receivers en route to capturing the Heisman Trophy in 1997. The similarities in their game is what most impresses pro scouts, as both are known for their physicality in playing the bump-and-run, along with the ability to make game-changing plays.

The comparisons between the two continue, as most experts also envision Jenkins moving to free safety in the professional ranks, a position Woodson was moved to midseason last year with the Green Bay Packers. Jenkins, the three-time All-Big Ten Conference choice, usually plays on the wide side of the field, but often moves around the field to cover the opponent’s best receiver.

Called a natural pass defender with great instincts and outstanding speed and quickness, Jenkins excels at man-to-man coverage. He tied the school career record by returning two of his 11 career interceptions for touchdowns and has also used his excellent leaping ability as a standout special team performer, having blocked three kicks during his career. In 49 games for the Buckeyes, he has never allowed a touchdown reception.

At Piscataway High School, Jenkins led his team to three consecutive state titles. The All-State and All-American choice played receiver and defensive back. He also excelled at track, winning the state title in the 400-meter dash as a junior. He took third place in the 200 meters as a junior and finished third in the hurdles as a senior at the state meet.

Most freshmen spend their first year residing on special teams at Ohio State, but Jenkins appeared in 10 games at nickel back, starting three games at that position and three more at boundary cornerback late in the season. He suffered a knee sprain that sidelined him for the final two regular-season contests, but he returned to play in the Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame. He produced 37 tackles (23 solos), broke up two passes and returned an onside kick 34 yards as a 180-pounder.

Having bulked up during the offseason, Jenkins took over field cornerback duties in 2006, starting all 13 games. The All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick led the OSU secondary with 55 tackles (40 solos) that included 4.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He broke up four passes and intercepted four others, returning one 61 yards for a score in the Penn State clash. He also blocked one punt.

Jenkins was a Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) semifinalist as a junior. He added All-American and All-Big Ten Conference honors, as he shifted to boundary cornerback, starting all 13 contests. He produced 44 tackles (27 solo) and five stops behind the line of scrimmage. Teams refused to throw to his side of the field, as the opposition completed just 32.3 percent of passes thrown into his area. He intercepted four passes, as he returned one for a score and knocked down three other throws.

The team captain was a unanimous All-Big Ten choice and consensus All-American in 2008. He captured the Jim Thorpe Award and was a semifinalist for Bednarik Award (top defensive player in the nation). He shifted back to field cornerback, taking on the top receiver each game, as he totaled 57 tackles (34 solos) and caused three fumbles. He added three pass thefts, nine pass deflections and had four stops for loss. He also continued to excel on special teams, blocking two more punts. The opposition averaged just 3.83 yards on 60 pass attempts into his territory.

High School

Attended Piscataway (N.J.) High School…Led his team to three consecutive state titles…The All-State and All-American choice played receiver and defensive back… Also excelled at track, winning the state title in the 400-meter dash as a junior…Took third place in the 200 meters as a junior and finished third in the hurdles as a senior at the state meet.

New Orleans Saints 2009 Schedule

Wk Date Matchup TV Time
1 Sun, Sept. 13 vs. Detroit Lions FOX 1 p.m.
2 Sun, Sept. 20 at Philadelphia Eagles FOX 1 p.m.
3 Sun, Sept. 27 at Buffalo Bills FOX 4:05 p.m.
4 Sun, Oct. 4 vs. New York Jets CBS 4:05 p.m.
5 Bye
6 Sun, Oct. 18 vs. New York Giants FOX 1 p.m.
7 Sun, Oct. 25 at Miami Dolphins FOX 4:15 p.m.
8 Mon, Nov. 2 vs. Atlanta Falcons ESPN 8:30 p.m.
9 Sun, Nov. 8 vs. Carolina Panthers FOX 4:05 p.m.
10 Sun, Nov. 15 at St. Louis Rams FOX 1 p.m.
11 Sun, Nov. 22 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers FOX 1 p.m.
12 Mon, Nov. 30 vs. New England Patriots ESPN 8:30 p.m.
13 Sun, Dec. 6 at Washington Redskins FOX 1 p.m.
14 Sun, Dec. 13 at Atlanta Falcons FOX 1 p.m.
15 Sat, Dec. 19 vs. Dallas Cowboys NFLN 8:20 p.m.
16 Sun, Dec. 27 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FOX 1 p.m.
17 Sun, Jan. 3 at Carolina Panthers FOX 1 p.m.

New Orleans Saints’ 2008 Draft Class

From NFL.com:

Round 1, Pick 7 (7) (From 49ers through Patriots)
Sedrick Ellis DT 6’1″ 305 Southern Cal
Pick Analysis:The Saints traded up to boost the interior of their front four. Ellis will be counted on to clog up the line of scrimmage and be a disruptive force in the backfield. His best traits are exceptional strength and great instincts.

Round 2, Pick 9 (40)
Tracy Porter CB 5’11” 185 Indiana
Pick Analysis:The Saints continue to address their defense, as Porter projects as a third corner. He was productive at Indiana, but like many corners, is not known as a good tackler.

Round 5, Pick 9 (144) (From Lions)
DeMario Pressley DT 6’3″ 301 North Carolina State
Pick Analysis:The latest in a recent tradition of North Carolina State defensive ends like former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams and former first-round pick Manny Lawson. Pressley has great athleticism, speed and quickness for his size. He is an explosive player off the ball with good upside.

Round 5, Pick 29 (164) (From Patriots)
Carl Nicks OT 6’5″ 341 Nebraska
Pick Analysis:Nicks hasn’t played enough college football to expect great things from him early in his career. He does have bulk and can move better than expected at his weight. There are some concerns that he will battle weight issues throughout his career, but he can block a linebacker in space. This is a boom-or-bust pick.

Round 6, Pick 12 (178)
Taylor Mehlhaff K 5’10” 185 Wisconsin
Pick Analysis:Mehlhaff is a left-footed kicker with good accuracy. Good, not great, leg strength. He’s more of a 45-yard and in kicker, but demonstrated great accuracy while kicking in a tough place at Wisconsin.

Round 7, Pick 30 (237) (From Packers)
Adrian Arrington WR 6’3″ 203 Michigan
Pick Analysis:Some thought Arrington was a very good player that was overshadowed by Manningham at Michigan. He has good hands and caught a lot of passes. He lacks breakaway speed, but is a good possession receiver. A hamstring injury that prevented him from working out at the combine hurt his stock.