Matt: Hello all and welcome to the start of the season press conference. As you all know, its been a busy year. We started the off-season by hiring Mike Trgovac as head coach, to replace Jim Haslett. With him came a new offensive cordinator in Mike Hufnagel and a new defensive cordinator in Wade Philips. The two cordinators could not be here but Coach Trgovac will be available for questions later.
We went into the draft wanting three things; a cornerback, a running back and a tackle. With our first three picks in the draft, we aquired these things. We first selected CB Will Blackmon. Will gives us a tall corner with good speed who we believe will be a premiere player in the league. At this time, we have not decided whether Will will start at the second cornerback spot or play as the nickleback. With our next pick, we selcted tackle Jabari Levey. Jabari is kid with a lot of potential. This year he will play backup at both right and left tackle but he will recieve playing time. Next we selected Tyrone Moss. Moss will get to play alot this year, splitting time with Frank Gore and Tony Hollings but I will explain that later. With our other picks we selected WR Andre Caldwell, who will be our slot reciever, Adam Carriker, a defensive end who will get to play in some of our defensive formations and safety Kedrick Alexander who will backup Tony Parrish.
In free agency, we were able to do a few important things. First, we re-inked Jason Craft. This not only improves depth, but gives a corner who we feel can run with the best receivers. Next we were able to get tight end Anthony Becht. Anthony gives us a combo we haven’t had in a tight end in years: Blocking and Pass Catching. We then brought in two linebackers: Scott Foley, and Rocky Boiman. Scott is with us primarily in a backup role. Rocky, on the other hand will get to see some time when we move into our 3-4 defense.
Now I will hand it over to the Coach to see what he has to say about this season.
Coach Trgovac: Hello all. When I was contacted this season about the coaching job at the Saints, I was quite intrigued. Not only did I see a team with a lot of potential, I saw a team that could win championships. How do you figure you might say. Well, I look at our offense. At quarterback we have a solid duel-threat who can and will beat you through the air and with his feet. At running back, we are strong. Tyrone will get to start the season as the “premiere back” if you will. Tyrone is a young guy who we thing can contend for rookie of the year. Backing him up will be Frank Gore. We aquired Frank in the Brian Westbrook deal because we felt that he was a young kid, with upside who could play. Lastly, we have Tony Hollings. Tony will be the short-yardage back who may also be the 3rd down back. When you look at last years team, what immediately jumps out is the running game, or lack of one. Westbrook was just not what the team needed. At the end of the year we started Tony Hollings and he ended up being our leading rusher after starting only five games. When you look at Frank Gore last year, you see a speed back who averaged over five yards a carry. Throw T-Moss into the mix and we think we have a great combo.
On the defensive side of the ball, we think we have one of the best secondarys out there. We go four deep at corner and have two very talented safeties. At linebacker we have two extremely talented players in Rocky Calmus and Cie Grant and one solid veteran in John Mobley. Throw in Rocky Boiman and Steve Foley and we think were set. Now to defensive line. At defensive tackle, we think we have the best in the game in Corey Simon. Defensive end, well, its up in the air. All five will get to play. We have yet to decide how to rotate them yet but we think we’ll be able to rpessure the QB…
It's possible. At this point, I really don't have an answer. Were going to give Aaron some time and see how things go. However, should something catastophic happen and this team start to see its season go downhill, then yes, we may see Drew.
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