Saints’ secondary problems not covered yet

By Chris Cluff  |   Wednesday, August 08, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints knew they needed to make some moves in the defensive backfield, which is why they brought in Jason David and Kevin Kaesviharn in the offseason. But in the first preseason game, the secondary sure couldn't cover up the fact that it is a unit in transition.

On the second play of the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Cedrick Wilson connected on a 55-yard pass against Kaesviharn and veteran cornerback Mike McKenzie. Wilson later burned 33-year-old Fred Thomas for 17 yards on a throw from Charlie Batch, showing why the Saints planned to replace the veteran with David.

Of course, David had his own problems as Santonio Holmes beat him for a 41-yard gain on a throw from Brian St. Pierre. Holmes then easily got by veteran Jason Craft for a 3-yard touchdown catch, making the Steelers 4 for 4 in burning New Orleans' top quartet of corners in the first half.

It was a forgettable first performance by a Saints secondary that is trying to rebound from a poor 2006 season in which it had just 11 interceptions, tying for third fewest in the league.

Thomas and Jay Bellamy, longtime staples in the backfield who are well past their prime, are expected to play supporting roles now. Although Thomas started the first preseason game, the Saints didn't agree to give David $15.6 million over four years so he could play nickel back. Bellamy, 35, was relegated to backup last year and figures to be the fourth safety behind Josh Bullocks, Roman Harper and Kaesviharn.

For most of training camp thus far, young Bullocks and Harper had played in the No. 1 defense. But with Harper coming back from a torn ACL, Kaesviharn started at strong safety on Sunday. Kaesviharn, who signed a four-year, $10 million deal in the offseason, didn't get off to a great start. But he still might push either Bullocks or Harper.

"We've got a great core of guys back there," Bullocks recently told the Times-Picayune. "We've got some older guys, some younger guys and some guys that have played in the league for a few years. It's a good mix."

They sure didn't mix well in the first game, but there is plenty of time for the Saints' defensive backs to stir up some chemistry and cover up any lingering deficiencies.
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding,...
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