Gunzlingr
04-23-2003, 08:30 AM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The direction the New Orleans Saints were taking was clear right after they finished last season 9-7 and missed the playoffs.
Safety Sammy Knight, one year removed from the Pro Bowl, was allowed to look for a new team as a free agent, his football savvy no longer enough to make up for his lack of speed.
"I think we need to get much faster on defense," head coach Jim Haslett said.
New Orleans did not wait long to begin revamping the defense that gave up 388 points, just over 24 a game. The Saints traded for safety Tebucky Jones and acquired cornerback Ashley Ambrose and linebacker Orlando Ruff. All fill major areas of need. So does tight end Ernie Conwell.
That leaves the Saints, who already have the luxury of two first-round picks, a free hand on draft day, general manager Mickey Loomis said.
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2003/draft/news/2003/04/22/saints_draft_ap/)
Safety Sammy Knight, one year removed from the Pro Bowl, was allowed to look for a new team as a free agent, his football savvy no longer enough to make up for his lack of speed.
"I think we need to get much faster on defense," head coach Jim Haslett said.
New Orleans did not wait long to begin revamping the defense that gave up 388 points, just over 24 a game. The Saints traded for safety Tebucky Jones and acquired cornerback Ashley Ambrose and linebacker Orlando Ruff. All fill major areas of need. So does tight end Ernie Conwell.
That leaves the Saints, who already have the luxury of two first-round picks, a free hand on draft day, general manager Mickey Loomis said.
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2003/draft/news/2003/04/22/saints_draft_ap/)