Saints wrapped up rookie camp with good impressions on rookies

On Monday afternoon, in a conclusion of the rookie minicamp, the New Orleans Saints coaching staff described the past weekend a “productive” one. Actually it would hardly have been an unproductive one as the camp was filled with 65 men including six rookies, 14 undrafted free agents, five members of last year’s practice squad and 40 try out players.

Among the heavily focused rookies, tight end Jimmy Graham was one of the most impressive guys. He was compared to many other all pros at his position, and the young man seemed to be a bit annoyed with the endless comparison.

"I've enjoyed every minute, it's special to be at Rookie Minicamp with the defending Super Bowl champions," Graham said. "Those are great players, hall of fame players, people that have opened the door and made it easier for me, but I'm just trying to be Jimmy Graham and take it one day at a time."

First-round pick Patrick Robinson expectedly received high praise from coach Payton, who said Robins had excellent ball skills and great speed. In one word, Payton tried to make people believe that their choice was right. As for other less impressive players in Saints jerseys, they are altogether described by Payton as in good shape and ready for opportunities, which are always enough in the Saints no matter where the players are picked.

NO Saints keep moving on in post-draft

The New Orleans Saints seem still far from satisfied when the 2010 NFL draft ended on Saturday afternoon, as there are still a few positions in need of help. Therefore, the defending champion team of this season made quick move to the post-draft market and picked as many as 14 more new players from the undrafted free agents.

As we have expected, the Saints feel urgent need of good linebackers and running backs, so the post-draft signing featured the addition of two linebackers, Harry Coleman from LSU and Jason Beauchamp from UNLV, and three running backs, Christian Ducre from Mississippi, Carlos Brown and Chris Ivory from Michigan. The other nine newly signed free agents include Vanderbilt safety Ryan Hamilton, Jackson State cornerback Marcell Young, East Carolina defensive tackle Jay Ross, Stillman defensive end Junior Galette, Texas Tech defensive end Brandon Sharpe, Norfolk State wide receiver Chris Bell, Texas Tech guard Brandon Carter, Indiana guard Joe Tonga and TCU long snapper Clint Gresham.

All these undrafted free agents will put on Saints jerseys next week to join the other rookies who were picked from the draft at a rookie camp. There will also a number of other free agents from last year’s draft or being cut by other teams to participate in the camp with efforts to impress Saints coaches for a possible job with the team.