Dinner with Deuce

Thu, 22 May 2008 08:02:50 GMT

Saints running back Deuce McAllister and his teammates will host The 2008 Celebrity Waiter Dinner fundraiser Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, 859 Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans with cocktails at 6 pm and a four course dinner from 7 to 9 pm.

Deuce and several players from the Saints will compete to see who can raise the most tips through serving the guests while demonstrating their musical talents or lack thereof and signing autographs. The proceeds raised from the evening event will stay in New Orleans to impact the youth of the area.

In 2007, guests had the opportunity to visit with approximately twenty New Orleans Saints players including Mike McKenzie, Scott Fujita, Drew Brees, Mike Karney, Brian Young, and Kevin Houser. Deuce expects to have an equal level of support from his teammates for this year’s dinner.

McAllister’s event is made possible through his non-profit organization, the Catch 22 Foundation. He created Catch 22 to enhance the lives of children in the Gulf South Region. He said in order to truly make an impact, he counts on members of the community to join him in his efforts. This year’s dinner is being sponsored by Korbel, Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, Southern Comfort, and Chambord, all products of Brown-Forman.

“People know me best as a running back for the New Orleans Saints,” said Deuce. “But, I have committed myself to the New Orleans Community as an individual who can make a positive impact in the lives of children in the entire region.”

This year’s event will be held in partnership with one of the world’s top ten largest charities – Feed the Children. McAllister will continue his participation with Feed the Children, an organization that strives to deliver food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities to families or individuals affected by famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster. Feed the Children continues to provide for families that have been impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Tables of 10 can be purchased for $2,000. Individual tickets are also available for $250. For more information, contact The Catch 22 Foundation Executive Director, Josselyn Miller at 504-251-7821 or via e-mail at catch22@deucenissan.com or visit the website at www.catch22foundation.org .

KUDOS

Thu, 22 May 2008 07:49:26 GMT

The New Orleans Saints players, coaches and administrative staff congratulate the New Orleans Hornets on their outstanding 2007-2008 season.

The Hornets won a franchise-record 56 regular-season games, captured their ever Southwest Division title and defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals.

Head Coach Sean Payton Q and A

Wed, 21 May 2008 10:49:31 GMT

Opening Statement:

“We just finished our third OTA. We have all of the veterans minus Will Smith and the rookies all here. There’s one rookie player, a fullback we signed (Olaniyi) Sobomehin who’s still in the process of graduating. He is a free agent we signed out of Portland State. In regards to Charles Grant, I know that we have issued a statement, but the only thing that I might add is that obviously it’s something that we take very seriously and certainly our condolences go out to the family. The most important thing is the justice system taking its process, something that the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle. In the meantime we wait. Charles was here today at practice. He’s going to head to Georgia tonight, be there tomorrow and he’ll return to New Orleans on Friday. We’ll support him and through the New Orleans Saints security, we will gather as much information as we can in the meantime and let the process take its place.”

Is this a matter that your security team has been and will be monitoring?

“It would be hard for me to get into elaborating specifically on this. The bottom line is that they are very serious charges and we’re going to support him right now, do our best to help him, help the league and helped the state of Georgia with their investigation. I know Charles has been available and made an effort to do everything just as they want. Certainly that would be our advice to him and it becomes a league and state matter right now. Obviously the seriousness of it is the death of an individual. There’s nothing more that I want to elaborate on than that we have guidelines that the league wants us to follow and for good reason.”

Is it your understanding that he will be able to continue practicing with the team?

“Right now he’ll be continuing with us and doing everything that the league and the state of Georgia ask of him and we’ll keep you posted if there are any changes. I really don’t think it’s fair for me to elaborate anymore on it. We’re still gathering information. Our own security people are still gathering information and we’ll go from there.”

How much have you and the organization been in contact with Will Smith concerning his absence from these workouts?

“He and I had a chance to visit about a month and a half ago and you’d like to have all your players here. It’s not unusual. I think you just go around the league and each team has a player or two that’s unhappy with his contract and so in the meantime our focus is on the players that are here. We have one more OTA tomorrow; they’re off through the weekend and back in here next Thursday night. We start a mandatory minicamp next weekend.”

How is Bobby McCray doing?

“He’s doing fine. He’s nicked up a little bit with an injury he got in his pec from lifting weights, but he’s coming along.”

Do you think Will Smith will appear at minicamp?

“It’s mandatory and I would expect him to be at minicamp.”

How is Jonathan Vilma doing?

“Vilma’s doing well. He’s participating in half a practice. He’s not taking part in any of the team reps, but he’s working in the individual and seven on seven sessions. I have been encouraged with his progress. There have not been any setbacks. It’s been real positive.”

Can you discuss the progress of Adrian Arrington?

“He’s had a couple of good practices out there and he’s made some plays out there today. He’s learned quickly what to do, which is half the battle for a young receiver. He’s a big target and still has a ways to go. His transition has been pretty quick and that’s been encouraging.”

Have any other players caught your eye out there?

“Sedrick (Ellis) has done a good job. It’s tough because you’re limited in how much you can do in regards to the rules. I think by and large the offensive line has had a good offseason. Jammal Brown has had one of the better offseasons, I know the best he has had in his career here. He’s been doing extremely well.”

What is the overall mission of the OTA sessions?

“It’s about getting them back on the field and getting them quickly indoctrinated to what we’re doing from a scheme standpoint, the timing and the mental part of what we do, along with getting used to performing football movements, being on offense, defense and the kicking game. There is a lot of drill work. There are a lot of installations that we’re giving them a lot of which we will give them again in minicamp and again in training camp. You’re trying to tinker a little bit with some things you’ve done in the offseason that you might want to change.”

How is Jonathan Goodwin doing so far?

“He’s doing well. He’s an experienced player and he played quite a bit for us last year, so it’s been a lot smoother for him being that he’s comfortable with what we’re doing. He’s someone that has had a good offseason. That group in general has done very well from a lifting and conditioning standpoint. I think he’s handled the transition well.”

Is DeMario Pressley here?

“Pressley was here. He has a foot injury that will probably be about a two-week deal that we have to work through based on his rehab. It was an old injury that flared up yesterday. The good news is that initially we thought it might be a little longer, but it should be about two weeks.”

Could you run through the injuries you have?

“Here are the guys that didn’t participate: Deuce McAllister – knee, Josh Bullocks – knee, Aaron Glenn – ankle, Mike McKenzie – knee, Mark Simoneau – hip, DeMario Pressley – foot, and Eric Johnson – ankle. Those guys are all not surprises. Pressley’s injury just came yesterday. Simoneau has a hip; it shouldn’t be anything, but it keeps him out of next weekend. We talked about Eric Johnson at an earlier press conference with his ankle and Aaron Glenn is rehabbing his ankle and should be close to go for minicamp, and Josh Bullocks the same way.”

Did Bullocks have surgery?

“Yes, on his knee.”

Will Deuce McAllister be ready for minicamp?

“We’ll see. Our goal for him is to see how quickly he’s coming along. The key is not pushing it too fast. He’s kind of a wait-and-see on minicamp. But he would be a full go for training camp right now.”

Is there anything wrong with Steve Weatherford?

“Weatherford was out here and tweaked a muscle. He went in to get treatment, but he should be fine. They’re going to go take a look at it and make sure.”

Is Deuce on schedule of where you expected him to be?

“Yes.”

Was Randall Gay lining up in the base defense or only in nickel?

“He was playing base and nickel.”

How is Robert Meachem progressing?

“You don’t see the gait and he’s healthier, which has helped him. This offseason has helped him.”

It looked like you were working a lot of dime situations today. Is that the case?

“It was a lot of third down; a lot of nickel and dime. We were in a lot of nickel and a lot of third down groups today. The first two days we were in more base personnel, so you guys saw a lot of sub groupings on both sides of the ball.”

Do you intend to add another linebacker?

“We may add another linebacker.”

Would it be a veteran?

“I don’t know that it would be. I think that the key is finding the right guy and it could very well be a young player.”

Are you pleased with what you have seen from Mark Brunell?

“He’s a quick study. Obviously he’s experienced and he seems to be in real good shape and he’s throwing it well. He’s had a couple of good practices here and we gain from a having a guy like him, just from his experience as we install and talk about what we’re doing scheme-wise. He’s coming along.”

Do you have any thoughts on the owners opting out of the CBA?

“It is what it is. They’re pretty unified in their vote. I don’t think it was a big surprise to anybody.”

RB Pierre Thomas to Appear at Academy Sports in Kenner Today

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:51:13 GMT

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas will make an appearance at Academy Sports in Kenner today for an NFL FLAG clinic at 4:00 p.m. Thomas will host the clinic from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and then sign autographs from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The clinic is free and open to the public.

WHAT: NFL FLAG clinic hosted by Pierre Thomas
WHEN: May 21st at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Academy Sports
1000 W. Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065

Roaf to Enter Saints Hall of Fame

Wed, 21 May 2008 07:16:04 GMT

Former New Orleans Saints tackle William Roaf will be formally inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame at a luncheon on Friday, September 26. Roaf was elected by the Media Selection Committee of the Saints Hall of Fame.

The first round draft choice (eighth overall) out of Louisiana Tech in 1993, Roaf played nine seasons in New Orleans (1993-2001). Roaf was named first-team All-Pro in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000. He was named second-team All-Pro in 1998.

In addition, Roaf was named to the Pro Bowl in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, starting all seven of those all-star games. Roaf is first in New Orleans Saints history in All-Pro honors and in Pro Bowl appearances. He was part of the 2000 NFLK South Division Championship team that defeated the St. Louis Rams, 31-28, for the first playoff win in franchise history. In total, Roaf played in 131 games for the Saints.

Barra L. Birrcher will receive the Joe Gemelli Fleur De Lis Award for his contribution to the Saints’ organization.

A native of New Orleans and a graduate of Jesuit High School and the University of New Orleans, Birrcher worked for the Saints for 36 years before his retirement in 2007. He served many roles with the Saints, including positions in the Community Relations department, Marketing, Travel Coordinator and Advertising Coordinator.

He will be honored along with Roaf on September 26.

For more information on the Saints Hall of Fame, please contact Ken Trahan at (504) 450-9893.

NFL Statement in CBA Early Termination Decision

Tue, 20 May 2008 08:14:10 GMT

What happened?

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement, initially negotiated in 1993, has been extended on several occasions, most recently in March 2006. The 2006 extension, which could have continued through the 2012 season, gave both the NFL and the NFLPA an option to shorten the deal by one or two years.

NFL clubs today voted unanimously to exercise that option and to continue negotiating a new agreement for the 2011 season and beyond that will work better for both the clubs and the players.

What does this mean to fans and games on the field?

Even without another agreement, NFL football will be played without threat of interruption for at least the next three seasons. The 2008 and 2009 seasons will be played with a salary cap. If there is no new agreement before the 2010 season, that season will be played without a salary cap under rules that also limit the free agency rights of the players. If not extended, the agreement would expire at the end of the 2010 league year.

We are resolved to do our best to achieve a fair agreement that will allow labor peace to continue through and beyond the 2011 season.

What are the issues?

A collective bargaining agreement has to work for both sides. If the agreement provides inadequate incentives to invest in the future, it will not work for management or labor. And, in the context of a professional sports league, if the agreement does not afford all clubs an opportunity to be competitive, the league can lose its appeal.

The NFL earns very substantial revenues. But the clubs are obligated by the CBA to spend substantially more than half their revenues – almost $4.5 billion this year alone -- on player costs. In addition, as we have explained to the union, the clubs must spend significant and growing amounts on stadium construction, operations and improvements to respond to the interests and demands of our fans. The current labor agreement does not adequately recognize the costs of generating the revenues of which the players receive the largest share; nor does the agreement recognize that those costs have increased substantially -- and at an ever increasing rate -- in recent years during a difficult economic climate in our country. As a result, under the terms of the current agreement, the clubs’ incentive to invest in the game is threatened.

There are substantial other elements of the deal that simply are not working. For example, as interpreted by the courts, the current CBA effectively prohibits the clubs from recouping bonuses paid to players who subsequently breach their player contacts or refuse to perform. That is simply irrational and unfair to both fans and players who honor their contracts. Also irrational is that in the current system some rookies are able to secure contracts that pay them more than top proven veterans.

Our objective is to fix these problems in a new CBA, one that will provide adequate incentives to grow the game, ensure the unparalleled competitive balance that has sustained our fans’ interest, and afford the players fair and increasing compensation and benefits.

Saints Sign OL Brian Stamper

Mon, 19 May 2008 18:11:13 GMT

New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Monday the club has signed rookie offensive lineman Brian Stamper and waived lineman Kevin Tuminello.

Stamper (6-5, 300) was a rare five-year starter at Vanderbilt, setting school records for games played (51) and started (48) after being granted a medical redshirt despite seeing action in five games as a junior in 2006. The Windermere, Fla. native overcame a career-threatening back injury to return to his role as starting right tackle and team captain in 2007, opening all 12 games for the Commodores.

Tuminello was signed earlier this month as an undrafted free agent and took part in the team’s rookie minicamp.

LB Dan Morgan Announces Retirement

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:05:22 GMT

Linebacker Dan Morgan has decided to retire, it was announced today by the New Orleans Saints. Morgan, who signed with the Saints March 11 as a free agent, played in the NFL for seven seasons, all with the Carolina Panthers.

Morgan missed the final 13 games of 2007 with a partial tear of an Achilles tendon, and had battled through other injuries in recent seasons.

“When we signed Dan, he was committed to making a fresh start, and he was making every effort to rehabilitate the leg injury that he suffered last year,” said Coach Sean Payton. “But it wasn’t responding as well as he had hoped it would. We wish him well in his continued recovery, and he will be remembered for the excellent player he was during his career.”

Morgan played for Carolina since being drafted in the first round in 2001 out of the University of Miami. During his career, he recorded 452 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and five interceptions. He played in 59 games in his career, all starts, and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2004.

Off And Running

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:57:37 GMT

The New Orleans Saints began their 12-week strength-and-conditioning program for the 66 players currently on the team’s roster today. Under the direction of Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Dalrymple, the Saints’ players returned to New Orleans with the intent of preparing for the 2008 season, and by all accounts, day one was a rousing success.

The majority of the work the players will undergo throughout the course of the stringent voluntary program focuses equally on weight training, conditioning and speed development for those players that are physically at the point of being able to fully participate. A handful of other players, such as CB Mike McKenzie and RB Deuce McAllister, are still in phases of injury rehabilitation that may limit some of the exercises that they are able to perform, while still being able to join in the important camaraderie and team-building principles that take place through working together.

“It’s good to be back around the guys and catch up,” said LB Scott Fujita. “I know that in speaking to the rest of the guys, we want to put the bad taste out of mouths and get started towards our goals in 2008. That’s why we are all here and it’s great to see virtually every guy here right off the bat.”

A few players, including DT Hollis Thomas and QB Drew Brees, are representing the team at NFL Players Association meetings in Hawaii, but are expected to return to New Orleans in the very near future.

Head Coach Sean Payton said today that the off-season work that the players invest in is important for a number of reasons, primarily the ability of the players to get in peak physical condition after having allowed their bodies proper rest over the course of the past two and a half months. “These are professional athletes and this is their vocation,” Payton said, sporting a muted green sports shirt in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. “There are a lot of prideful players in that locker room and it’s good to see them excited about what lies in front of them. They know the off-season program is challenging but it’s for their best interests and most importantly, for the success of our team.”

The strength and conditioning sessions will transition into some on-the-field work later in the spring with three weeks of organized team activities (OTA’s), while there will also be a mini-camp (May 9-11) soon after the NFL Draft, as well as a full-squad mini-camp (May 30-June 1).

Payton, along with the rest of the Saints’ front office and coaching staff, have been busy at work in re-tooling the composition of the team’s roster with a handful of new players, including MLB Jonathan Vilma, LB Dan Morgan, CB Randall Gay, DE Mark Campbell/Bobby McCray.aspx">Bobby McCray and QB Mark Brunell. Many other players re-signed with the team, thus insuring stability and consistency in the team’s team-first approach, including such notable contributors such as LB Mark Simoneau, TE’s Eric Johnson and Billy Miller, RB Aaron Stecker, WR David Patten, among others.

“That is an important part for all of us,” Payton said of the infusion of new players and the chemistry that is associated with the newcomers blending in to the composition of the returning players. “The one thing that I know is that we have a locker room that is made up of good, solid individuals who understand how important teamwork is, and I also feel strongly that we have spent a lot of time thinking and talking and researching them, before we added them, about the new players that we have brought in and what positive impacts they will have on the make-up of our roster. That is important to me and important to us.”

Players were given the option of working either in the morning or in the afternoon, with a full-team meeting sandwiched around the workouts sessions. The meeting, according to Payton, was to outline the expectations of what the strength-and-conditioning sessions will entail, the importance of participation, and of the challenges and opportunities that lie in front of the 2008 Saints.

Payton also mentioned that in discussions with RB Reggie Bush, he expects Bush to be a regular in this year’s program. Last season Bush split time between his West Coast home and New Orleans. News that evidently pleased Payton, “He (Reggie) is planning on being involved in all of our off-season, which is good and encouraging. I think it’s important for him and for all running backs, with the pounding they take, to be real diligent in the weight room.”

The team’s roster, now in the mid 60’s, will swell to close to 80 players in a less than two months, pending the team’s 2008 Draft class and incoming rookie free agents. When asked about the direction the team may head in late April’s Draft, Payton, as expected, said that the team was still in the process of evaluating all of the draftable candidates and didn’t shed any particular insight into what direction the team may head with the 10th overall pick.

“Clearly we will be looking to get a player there that can help us,” Payton said. “But I know that our feeling is that we want players in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, as well. We have had players here that were taken in all of those rounds that we count on and we believe that will continue.”

Final Saints and Panthers Injury Report

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:57:37 GMT

Final Injury Report
Friday, October 5, 2007

New Orleans Saints

OUT
Position	Player	Injury (Friday Practice Status)
CB	Jason David	Forearm (Did Not Practice)
DOUBTFUL		Injury (Friday Practice Status)
No Players Listed	----------------	-------------------------------------------
QUESTIONABLE
LB	Scott Fujita	Ankle (Limited Participation)
WR	David Patten	Calf (Limited Participation)
S	Jay Bellamy	Ankle (Limited Participation)
DT	Kendrick Clancy	Toe (Limited Participation)
PROBABLE
K	Olindo Mare	Groin (Limited Participation)

Carolina Panthers

OUT
POSITION	PLAYER	INJURY (Friday Practice Status)
RB	Nick Goings	Concussion (Did Not Practice)
LB	Dan Morgan	Ankle (Did Not Practice)
LB	Adam Seward	Calf (Did Not Practice)

DOUBTFUL
QB	Jake Delhomme	Arm (Did Not Practice)
QUESTIONABLE
No Players Listed	--------------------	-----------------------------------------------
PROBABLE
No Players Listed	--------------------	-----------------------------------------------

PROBABLE
Pos. Player Injury (Friday Prac. Status)
NO PLAYERS LISTED

Saints Agree to Terms with LB Dan Morgan

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:57:37 GMT

The New Orleans Saints continued to reshape their defensive composition with the team’s announcement of the signing of LB Dan Morgan on Friday.

Morgan’s signing represents the fourth new face that the Black-and-Gold has made to their defense in the past week alone, as the Saints began their defensive makeover by first acquiring LB Jonathan Vilma via a trade, and then followed with the announcements of their signings of unrestricted free agents CB Randall Gay and DE Mark Campbell/Bobby McCray.aspx">Bobby McCray. The Saints also recently inked the services of LB Mark Simoneau and DT Brian Young to their defense, both of whom have been key members of the Saints’ defensive efforts the past two seasons under Head Coach Sean Payton and Defensive Coordinator Gary Gibbs.

The addition of Morgan, a player the team knows well from having faced him numerous times as a member of the NFC South’s Carolina Panthers from 2001-2007, represents the addition of a playmaking and tackling defender who has averaged nearly eight tackles a game throughout his career. He was named as a starter for the 2004 NFC Pro Bowl squad after registering a career-high 109 tackles. Morgan was released by the Panthers prior to the start of free agency, perhaps the result of having missed portions of the last two seasons due to two separate, non-related health issues.

But the fact remains that when healthy, Morgan has proven to be one of the top playmaking linebackers in the NFL. The hard-hitting and versatile defender has shown a knack for being around the football and being a disruptive and heady player, as evidenced by his ancillary statistics, which display forced fumbles (four), fumble recoveries (five), passes defensed (18), interceptions (five) and sacks (seven).

The first-round draft pick in 2001 by the Panthers (11th overall), Morgan’s 59 career regular season starts represent the most for by a linebacker in Carolina’s team annals, while his 452 tackles rank third in the Panthers’ record books. The 6-2, 245-pound Morgan was the first linebacker selected in the 2001 NFL Draft after having served as a team captain his final three seasons while with the nationally-ranked Miami Hurricanes.

Morgan, who has played the majority of his professional career in the middle of the linebacking corps, possesses the type of athleticism that could allow him to easily transition to an outside spot in the Saints’ patrol. The product of the University of Miami became the first player in college football history to garner the Butkus Award (top linebacker), Bednarik Award and Nagurski Award (top defensive player) in the same season, and played outside for his first three seasons as a collegian before moving to the middle linebacker spot as a senior.

In postseason play during his career, the native of Coral Springs, Fla. has started all seven games that he has appeared in and notched 76 tackles, one interception as well as a pass defensed. He registered a career-high 25 tackles against the New England Patriots on February 1, 2004 in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Friday Draft Notes

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:57:37 GMT

2008 NFL DRAFT NOTES

-- 73RD NFL DRAFT --

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK CITY

APRIL 26-27, 2008

THE “NEW” NFL DRAFT

DATE	START	ROUNDS	SELECTION TIME
Saturday, April 26	2:00 PM CT	Round 1	10 Minutes
		Round 2	7 Minutes
Sunday, April 27	9:00 AM CT	Rounds 3-7	5 Minutes

WOLVERINE BECOMES A DOLPHIN: With his selection by the Miami Dolphins as the No. 1 overall choice in the 2008 NFL Draft, Michigan tackle JAKE LONG becomes the second Wolverine to be taken with the top pick in the draft. Long joins running back TOM HARMON, who was chosen No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears in 1941.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN SELECTED NO. 1 OVERALL

YEAR	PLAYER	TEAM	COLLEGE
1939	C Ki Aldrich	Chicago Cardinals	Texas Christian
1949	C Chuck Bednarik	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania
1961	G Ken Rice	Buffalo (AFL)	Auburn
1968	T Ron Yary	Minnesota	Southern California
1997	T Orlando Pace	St. Louis	Ohio State
2008	T Jake Long	Miami	Michigan

Long signed his contract with the Dolphins on Tuesday, April 22, four days before the draft. Since 1970, following are the most days between a No. 1 overall choice’s signing and the actual draft:

PLAYER	COLLEGE	TEAM	SIGNING	DRAFT	DAYS BETWEEN
DE Bruce Smith	Virginia Tech	Buffalo	2/22/85	4/30/85	68
QB Vinny Testaverde	Miami	Tampa Bay	4/2/87	4/28/87	26
WR Irving Fryar	Nebraska	New England	4/10/84	5/1/84	21
DE Aundray Bruce	Auburn	Atlanta	4/6/88	4/24/88	18
T Jake Long	Michigan	Miami	4/22/08	4/26/08	4

ARKANSAS RBs: Two running backs from the same school have been selected in the first round three times since 1970. The 2008 draft could mark the fourth such time with Arkansas running backs FELIX JONES and DARREN MC FADDEN projected to be first-round picks.

The three times since 1970 that running backs from the same school were selected in the first round:

YEAR	COLLEGE	RUNNING BACKS
1971	Ohio State	John Brockington (Green Bay) and Leo Hayden (Minnesota)
1986	Florida	John L. Williams (Seattle) and Neal Anderson (Chicago)
2005	Auburn	Ronnie Brown (Miami) and Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay)

ARKANSAS RBs SELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND

YEAR	RUNNING BACK	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1938	Jack Robbins	Chicago Cardinals	5
1948	Clyde Scott	Philadelphia Eagles	8
1967	Harry Jones	Philadelphia Eagles	19
1983	Gary Anderson	San Diego Chargers	20

DLs IN FIRST ROUND: This could be the first year since 1970 that three defensive linemen are chosen within the first five picks. Louisiana State defensive tackle GLENN DORSEY and defensive ends VERNON GHOLSTON of Ohio State and CHRIS LONG of Virginia are possibilities to earn the distinction.

The other time three defensive linemen were taken in the first five picks since 1970 was in that year:

YEAR	DEFENSIVE LINEMAN	COLLEGE	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1970	DT Mike McCoy	Notre Dame	Green Bay	1
	DT Phil Olsen	Utah State	Boston	4
	DE Al Cowlings	Southern California	Buffalo	5

LOUISIANA STATE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE TOP 10 (Since 1970)

YEAR	PLAYER	POSITION	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1973	Bert Jones	Quarterback	Baltimore	2
1989	Eric Hill	Linebacker	Phoenix	10
2007	JaMarcus Russell	Quarterback	Oakland	1
	LaRon Landry	Safety	Washington	6

VIRGINIA DEFENSIVE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND (All-Time)

YEAR	PLAYER	POSITION	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1989	Jeff Lageman	Defensive End	N.Y. Jets	14
1997	James Farrior	Linebacker	N.Y. Jets	8
	Jon Harris	Defensive End	Philadelphia	25
	Patrick Kerney	Defensive End	Atlanta	30

BIG TEN DEFENSIVE LINEMEN SELECTED IN THE TOP 5 (Since 1967)

YEAR	PLAYER	COLLEGE	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1967	Bubba Smith	Michigan State	Baltimore	1
1973	Dave Butz	Purdue	St. Louis Cardinals	5
1994	Dan Wilkinson	Ohio State	Cincinnati	1
1996	Simeon Rice	Illinois	Arizona	3
2000	Courtney Brown	Penn State	Cleveland	1

BOSTON COLLEGE PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE TOP 10 (All-Time)

YEAR	PLAYER	POSITION	TEAM	OVERALL SELECTION
1943	Mike Holovak	Running Back	Los Angeles	5
1959	Don Allard	Quarterback	Washington	4
1967	Bob Hyland	Guard	Green Bay	9
1995	Mike Mamula	Defensive End	Philadelphia	7

CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 CHOICES FROM SAME COLLEGE

YEAR	COLLEGE/PLAYERS
1937	Nebraska-HB Lloyd Cardwell (7) and E Les McDonald (8)
1943	Minnesota-HB Bill Daley (7) and T Dick Wildung (8)
1946	Notre Dame-QB Johnny Lujack (4) and T George Connor (5)
1948	Alabama-HB Lowell Tew (4) and C Vaughn Mancha (5)
1949	Notre Dame-QB Frank Tripucka (9) and G Bill Fischer (10)
	Southern Methodist-RB Doak Walker (3) and HB Paul Page (4)
1959	Ohio State-HB Don Clark (7) and C Dan James (8)
1967	Michigan State-DT Bubba Smith (1) and RB Clint Jones (2)
1977	Southern California-T Marvin Powell (4) and Gary Jeter (5)
1981	Notre Dame-TE Ken MacAfee (7) and DT Ross Browner (8)
1984	Nebraska-WR Irving Fryar (1) and T Dean Steinkuhler (2)
1990	Southern California-LB Junior Seau (5) and DB Mark Carrier (6)
1991	Nebraska-DB Bruce Pickens (3) and LB Mike Croel (4)
	Tennessee-T Charles McRae (7) and T Antone Davis (8)
1992	Stanford-T Bob Whitfield (8) and RB Tommy Vardell (9)
1993	Alabama-DE John Copeland (5) and DE Eric Curry (6)
1996	Illinois-LB Kevin Hardy (2) and DE Simeon Rice (3)
2000	Penn State-DE Courtney Brown (1) and LB LaVar Arrington (2)
2002	Texas-T Mike Williams (4) and DB Quentin Jammar (5)
2004	Miami-S Sean Taylor (5) and TE Kellen Winslow (6)

“MOSTS”

Number of times QB and RB from same college have been chosen in top 10: 10 – 1942 (QB Frank Albert, RB Pete Kmetovic-Stanford), 1943 (QB Jack Jenkins, RB Bob Steuber-Missouri), 1944 (QB Angelo Bertelli, RB Creighton Miller-Notre Dame), 1946 (QB Frank Dancewicz, QB Johnny Lujack, RB Emil Sitko-Notre Dame), 1947 (QB Ernie Case, RB Cal Rossi-UCLA), 1948 (QB Harry Gilmer, RB Lowell Tew-Alabama), 1983 (QB Todd Blackledge, RB Curt Warner-Penn State), 1993 (QB Rick Mirer, RB Jerome Bettis- Notre Dame), 1995 (QB Kerry Collins, RB Ki-Jana Carter-Penn State), 2006 (QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush-Southern California).

Number of times QB, RB and TE from same college have been chosen in first round: 2 - 1993 (QB Rick Mirer, RB Jerome Bettis, TE Irv Smith-Notre Dame), 1995 (QB Kerry Collins, RB Ki-Jana Carter, TE Kyle Brady-Penn State).

Most offensive linemen taken in first round: 10
1968 - T Ron Yary, C Robert Johnson, T Russ Washington, T Mike Taylor, C Forrest Blue, G Maurice Moorman, G George Daney, T John Williams, G Bill Lueck, T Doug Crusan.

Most tight ends taken in first 100 picks: 9
2006 - Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis, Joe Klopfenstein, Anthony Fasano, Tony Scheffler, Leonard Pope, David Thomas, Dominique Bird, Owen Daniels.

Players from same college drafted No. 1 overall in consecutive years:
1968-69: Southern California - T Ron Yary by Minnesota and RB O.J. Simpson by Buffalo.

Colleges with most No. 1 overall draft choices:

Notre Dame (5) 1973: Walt Patulski, DE (Buffalo); 1957: Paul Hornung, HB (Green Bay); 1950: Leon Hart, E (Detroit); 1946: Frank Dancewicz, QB (Boston Yanks); 1944: Angelo Bertelli, QB (Boston Yanks)

Southern California (5) 2003: Carson Palmer, QB (Cincinnati); 1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR (N.Y. Jets); 1977: Ricky Bell, RB (Tampa Bay); 1969: O.J. Simpson, RB (Buffalo); 1968: Ron Yary, T (Minnesota)

Most first-round selections from one college in single year: 6
2004 - Miami (Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams, Vernon Carey, Vince Wilfork).

Number of times wide receivers from same college have been selected in first round in consecutive years: 5 (Note: Ohio State, Louisiana State, Tennessee, Georgia Tech had wide receivers selected in the first round in 2007.)
Ohio State – Joey Galloway (1995) and Terry Glenn (1996); Santonio Holmes (2006) and Ted Ginn Jr. (2007) and Anthony Gonzalez (2007)
Colorado – Charles Johnson (1994) and Michael Westbrook (1995)
Southern California – Curtis Conway (1993) and Johnnie Morton (1994)
Tennessee – Anthony Hancock (1982) and Willie Gault (1983); Willie Gault (1983) and Clyde Duncan (1984)

College with most players taken in single draft: Texas, 17 in 1984.

Consecutive first-round choices from same college that played same position:
1991: Tennessee Ts Charles McRae (#7-Tampa Bay) and Antone Davis (#8-Philadelphia).
1993: Alabama DEs John Copeland (#5-Cincinnati) and Eric Curry (#6-Tampa Bay).
1997: Miami DEs Kenard Lang (#17-Washington) and Kenny Holmes (#18-Tennessee).

Number of Pro Football Hall of Famers chosen No. 1 overall: 12
1942 – “Bullet” Bill Dudley/Pittsburgh; 1945 – Charley Trippi/Chicago Cardinals; 1949 – Chuck Bednarik/Philadelphia; 1957 – Paul Hornung/Green Bay; 1963 – Buck Buchanan/Kansas City (AFL); 1968 – Ron Yary/Minnesota; 1969 – O.J. Simpson/Buffalo; 1970 – Terry Bradshaw/Pittsburgh; 1976 – Lee Roy Selmon/Tampa Bay; 1978 – Earl Campbell/Houston; 1983 – John Elway/Baltimore Colts; 1989 – Troy Aikman/Dallas Cowboys.

Hall of Famers chosen consecutively in first round by same team in one draft:
1965: Dick Butkus (#3-Illinois/LB) and Gale Sayers (#4-Kansas/RB) by Chicago Bears.

Number of times in past 10 years that two players with same surname were drafted consecutively: 5
1998: Round 3 – T Robert Hicks (Buffalo/#68) and RB Skip Hicks (Washington/#69)
2000: Round 6 – WR Emanuel Smith (Jacksonville/#196) and DE Robaire Smith (Tennessee/#197)
2004: Round 7 – CB Nathan Jones (Dallas/#205) and WR Mark Jones (Tampa Bay/#206)
2006: Round 1 – G Davin Joseph (Tampa Bay/#23) and DB Johnathan Joseph (Cincinatti/#24)
2006: Round 4 – LB Leon Williams (Cleveland/#110) and WR Demetrius Williams (Baltimore/#111)

DRAFT TIMES

NOTE: The first combined (AFL-NFL) draft in 1967 consisted of 17 rounds. In 1977, the draft was reduced to 12 rounds. There were eight rounds in 1993 and seven since 1994.

Longest first round since 1967: 2007 (6 hours, 8 minutes)

Shortest first round since 1967: 1972 (2 hours)

Longest seven-round draft: 2007 (18 hours, 5 minutes)

Shortest seven-round draft: 1998 (14 hours, 25 minutes)

Most number of rounds on draft day: 30 (1943-59 drafts)

CONFERENCES

Number of players drafted by conference since 1990:
1. SEC 661
2. BIG-10 582
3. PAC-10 571
4. ACC 457
5. BIG EAST 347
6. BIG-8 185 (Merged with SWC in 1996 to form Big 12)
7. SWC 160 (Merged with Big 8 in 1996 to form Big 12)
8. BIG 12 324 (1997 draft was first in Big 12 history)
9. WAC 188
10. MAC 100

Others:

INDEPENDENT – 379 BIG SKY – 42
CONFERENCE USA – 118 (1997 draft was first in history) OHIO VALLEY – 38
SWAC – 78 GATEWAY – 36
MOUNTAIN WEST – 80 (2000 draft was first in history) SOUTHERN – 27
SOUTHLAND – 60 YANKEE – 15
MEAC – 51

COLLEGES WITH THREE PLAYERS DRAFTED

Number of times in past 10 years college has had at least 3 players chosen in first round: 18

1998: North Carolina – Greg Ellis/Dallas; Brian Simmons/Cincinnati; Vonnie Holliday/GB.
Tennessee – Peyton Manning/Indianapolis; Terry Fair/Detroit; Marcus Nash/Denver.

1999: Ohio State – David Boston/Arizona; Antoine Winfield/Buffalo; Andy Katzenmoyer/New England.

2000: Florida State – Peter Warrick/Cincinnati; Corey Simon/Philadelphia; Sebastian Janikowski/Oakland.

2001: Miami (4) – Dan Morgan/Carolina; Damione Lewis/St. Louis; Santana Moss/ N.Y. Jets; Reggie Wayne/Indianapolis.
Michigan – David Terrell/Chicago; Steve Hutchinson/Seattle; Jeff Backus/Detroit.

2002: Miami (5) – Bryant McKinnie/Minnesota; Jeremy Shockey/N.Y. Giants; Phillip Buchanon/Oakland; Ed Reed/Baltimore; Mike Rumph/San Francisco.
Tennessee – John Henderson/Jacksonville; Donte’ Stallworth/New Orleans; Albert Haynesworth/Tennessee.

2003: Miami (4) – Andre Johnson/Houston; Jerome McDougle/Philadelphia; Willis McGahee/Buffalo; William Joseph/N.Y. Giants.
Penn State (4) – Jimmy Kennedy/St. Louis; Michael Haynes/Chicago; Bryant Johnson/Arizona; Larry Johnson/Kansas City.

2004: Miami (6) – Sean Taylor/Washington; Kellen Winslow/Cleveland; Jonathan Vilma/N.Y.
Jets; D.J. Williams/Denver; Vernon Carey/Miami; Vince Wilfork/New England.
Ohio State – Will Smith/Saints, Chris Gamble/Panthers, Mike Jenkins/Falcons.

2005: Auburn (4) – Ronnie Brown/Miami; Jason Campbell/Washington; Carlos Rogers/Washington; Carnell Williams/Tampa Bay.

2006: Ohio State (5) – A.J. Hawk/Green Bay; Donte Whitner/Buffalo; Bobby Carpenter/Dallas; Santonio Holmes/Pittsburgh; Nick Mangold/N.Y. Jets.
Florida State (4) – Ernie Sims/Detroit; Kamerion Wimbley/Cleveland; Brodrick Bunkley/Philadelphia; Antonio Cromartie/San Diego.
North Carolina State – Mario Williams/Houston; Manny Lawson/San Francisco; John McCargo/Buffalo.

2007: Louisiana State (4) – JaMarcus Russell/Oakland; LaRon Landry/Washington; Dwayne Bowe/Kansas City; Craig Davis/San Diego.
Miami – Brandon Meriweather/New England; Jon Beason/Carolina; Greg Olsen/Chicago.

FIRST ROUND BY POSITION

Most first-round selections by position (one year):

Quarterback (6-1983): John Elway/Baltimore, Todd Blackledge/Kansas City, Jim Kelly/Buffalo, Tony Eason/New England, Ken O’Brien/NY Jets, Dan Marino/Miami

Halfback/Running Back (9-1938, 1941):
(Last time) 1941 – Tom Harmon/Chicago Bears, John Kimbrough/Chicago Cardinals, Norm Standlee/Chicago Bears, John Thomason/Detroit, George Franck/New York, George Paskavan/Green Bay, Dean McAdams/Brooklyn, Don Scott/Chicago Bears, Forrest Evashevski/Washington

Wide Receiver (7-2004):
Larry Fitzgerald/Arizona, Roy Williams/Detroit, Reggie Williams/Jacksonville, Lee Evans/Buffalo, Michael Clayton/Tampa Bay, Michael Jenkins/Atlanta, Rashaun Woods/San Francisco.

Tight End (3-1970, 2002):
(Last time) 2002 – Jeremy Shockey/N.Y. Giants; Daniel Graham/New England; Jerramy Stevens/Seattle

Center (2-1949, 1950, 1968):
(Last time) 1968 – Robert Johnson/Cincinnati, Forrest Blue/San Francisco

Guard (4-1982):
Mike Munchak/Houston, Sean Farrell/Tampa Bay, Ron Hallestrom/Green Bay, Roy Foster/Miami

Tackle (7-1966, 1996):
(Last time) 1996 – Jonathan Ogden/Baltimore, Willie Anderson/Cincinnati, Pete Kendall/Seattle, Jermane Mayberry/Philadelphia, John Michels/Green Bay, Jamain Stephens/Pittsburgh, Andre Johnson/Washington

Defensive Back (7-1998, 2006):
(Last time) 2006 – Michael Huff/Texas, Donte Williams/Buffalo, Tye Hill/St. Louis, Jason Allen/Miami, Antonio Cromartie/San Diego, Johnathan Joseph/Cincinnati, Kelly Jennings/Seattle

Linebacker (7-1990):
Keith McCants/Tampa Bay, Junior Seau/San Diego, Chris Singleton/New England, James Francis/Cincinnati, Percy Snow/Kansas City, Lamar Lathon/Houston, Tony Bennett/GB

Defensive End (6-1992):
Steve Emtman/Indianapolis, Sean Gilbert/LA Rams, Chester McGlockton/LA Raiders, Alonzo Spellman/Chicago, Chris Mims/San Diego, Robert Porcher/Detroit

Defensive Tackle (6-1977, 2001, 2003):
(Last time) 2003 – Dewayne Robertson/N.Y. Jets, Johnathan Sullivan/New Orleans, Kevin Williams/Minnesota, Jimmy Kennedy/St. Louis, Ty Warren/New England, William Joseph/N.Y. Giants.

Nose Tackle (1-1986, 1988):
(Last time) 1988 –Ted Gregory/Denver

Kicker/Punter (1-1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 2000):
(Last time) 2000 – K Sebastian Janikowski/Oakland

TE Billy Miller Re-Signs with Saints

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:57:37 GMT

Veteran tight end Billy Miller has agreed to terms on a contract that will keep him as a member of the Saints, it was announced today by Saints' Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Miller, a 6-3, 252-pound tight end, will return to the Saints for his ninth NFL season and third in New Orleans. A veteran of 99 career contests, he has caught 155 career passes for 1,669 yards with nine touchdowns. To date, he has started nine of 26 games for the Saints since signing with the club in 2006, with 41 catches for 457 yards.

The USC product and Westlake Village, Calif. native was the only Saints tight end to play in all 16 games in 2007 as he started seven contests, posting 27 receptions for 328 yards with a pair of touchdowns. His career-long grab came on a 57-yard catch-and-run against Jacksonville that set up a Saints touchdown on the next play.

Today's additions of Miller and former Carolina Panther LB Dan Morgan are the latest in a flurry of positive transactions for the Saints, who have signed unrestricted free agents CB Randall Gay and DE Mark Campbell/Bobby McCray.aspx">Bobby McCray, traded a 2009 undisclosed draft pick to the New York Jets for LB Jonathan Vilma and re-signed or agreed to terms with WR David Patten, RB Aaron Stecker, WR Devery Henderson, DT Brian Young, LB Mark Simoneau, G Jamar Nesbit, C Jonathan Goodwin, WR Terrance Copper and K Martin Gramatica.