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By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer
For the moment, Saints coach Jim Haslett is calling his revamped defense "bigger and faster," perhaps saving the superlatives for another day.
But there's no denying that boyish smirk.
Scanning the team's depth chart Tuesday, he assessed the personnel changes that have been made on defense since the start of free agency in March.
Gone are defensive tackle Norman Hand, middle linebacker Charlie Clemons and strong safety Sammy Knight, each expendable because of the team's new vision.
Acquired via trade, the draft or free agency were free safety Tebucky Jones, cornerback Ashley Ambrose, weakside linebacker Derrick Rodgers, middle linebacker Orlando Ruff and rookie defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan.
Mix in holdover cornerbacks Fred Thomas and Dale Carter, defensive ends Darren Howard, Charles Grant and Willie Whitehead, defensive tackles Kenny Smith, Grady Jackson and Martin Chase, safety Jay Bellamy, linebackers Sedrick Hodge, James Allen and Darren Smith, and Haslett believes he has the ingredients for a vastly improved defense.
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Staff writer
For the moment, Saints coach Jim Haslett is calling his revamped defense "bigger and faster," perhaps saving the superlatives for another day.
But there's no denying that boyish smirk.
Scanning the team's depth chart Tuesday, he assessed the personnel changes that have been made on defense since the start of free agency in March.
Gone are defensive tackle Norman Hand, middle linebacker Charlie Clemons and strong safety Sammy Knight, each expendable because of the team's new vision.
Acquired via trade, the draft or free agency were free safety Tebucky Jones, cornerback Ashley Ambrose, weakside linebacker Derrick Rodgers, middle linebacker Orlando Ruff and rookie defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan.
Mix in holdover cornerbacks Fred Thomas and Dale Carter, defensive ends Darren Howard, Charles Grant and Willie Whitehead, defensive tackles Kenny Smith, Grady Jackson and Martin Chase, safety Jay Bellamy, linebackers Sedrick Hodge, James Allen and Darren Smith, and Haslett believes he has the ingredients for a vastly improved defense.
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