PA Season Ticket Holder
05-04-2003, 11:42 AM
Grady Jackson was met with a rude greeting when he reported to the Saints training facility on Thursday night for the start of this weekend's minicamp.
Shortly after weighing in at 366 pounds, Jackson, who started 15 games at defensive tackle last season, found himself listed with the second-team defense on the depth chart. Third-year pro Kenny Smith was the new starter at the tackle spot opposite rookie Johnathan Sullivan.
Saints officials said they want to see Jackson get closer to 330 pounds.
"I don't feel any pressure," said Jackson, sweat pouring from his brow after the two-hour morning workout in 90-degree heat. "Whatever happens happens. I'm always going to be a fighter. I came from the hard road."
Jackson angered Saints officials by failing to report to the team's offseason conditioning program last month. He and wide receiver Joe Horn, who is holding out in a contract dispute, are the only veterans under contract who were missing without permission. Jackson exacerbated the problem when he refused to return phone calls from numerous coaches and team officials over the past few weeks.
"I'm disappointed in Grady's weight and more disappointed that Grady wasn't here with his teammates," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "Everybody was here but him. It's unprofessional. He's bad-looking. I don't think he's in very good shape at all. He needs to lose weight. And I worry about him in this heat."
http://www.nolalive.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/10519467707810.xml
Shortly after weighing in at 366 pounds, Jackson, who started 15 games at defensive tackle last season, found himself listed with the second-team defense on the depth chart. Third-year pro Kenny Smith was the new starter at the tackle spot opposite rookie Johnathan Sullivan.
Saints officials said they want to see Jackson get closer to 330 pounds.
"I don't feel any pressure," said Jackson, sweat pouring from his brow after the two-hour morning workout in 90-degree heat. "Whatever happens happens. I'm always going to be a fighter. I came from the hard road."
Jackson angered Saints officials by failing to report to the team's offseason conditioning program last month. He and wide receiver Joe Horn, who is holding out in a contract dispute, are the only veterans under contract who were missing without permission. Jackson exacerbated the problem when he refused to return phone calls from numerous coaches and team officials over the past few weeks.
"I'm disappointed in Grady's weight and more disappointed that Grady wasn't here with his teammates," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "Everybody was here but him. It's unprofessional. He's bad-looking. I don't think he's in very good shape at all. He needs to lose weight. And I worry about him in this heat."
http://www.nolalive.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/10519467707810.xml