Saints Nation: Getting to Know Saints' Undrafted Rookie Free Agent Marcell Young

Here's an interview with new Saints' cornerback and undrafted rookie free agent Marcell Young. This is a great interview as he showed a lot of personality in his answers. I like this guy already. Hopefully he can compete and make his way onto the team. I think he could become a fan favorite in the making. Thanks again to Marcell and good luck this season!! 

Saints Nation: What were your expectations going into the draft? Were you told you'd be drafted by a certain round?

Marcell Young: Well I was expecting a late round chance in the 6th to 7th round. The Rams called me and told me they were going to take me in the seventh round but they didn't!

SN:  I'm sure not getting drafted was a disappointment, but talk about the process afterward and how you feel about joining the Saints?

MY: After the draft I had about seven teams offer me a free agent deal and the Rams were one. I was upset with the Rams for not taking me in the seventh so when they called I declined their offer! When the Saints called, I was at my daughter's birthday party and they said they were trying to get a corner in free agency and said if I signed I would be the only one they signed. I asked them if I could think it over for a few minutes and they said ok, but right after we hung up Coach Payton and their DB coach called. I said to myself that they must really want me and that made me feel good so I chose my favorite team! All the other teams that I talked to, their head coach or db coach didn't get on the phone!

SN: Who is the toughest player you've gone up against during your college career?

MY: One of the toughest players I faced in college was Demetrius Byrd from LSU. We played junior college ball against each other.

SN: Do you know anyone on the Saints or have any ties with the team, or will you be going in completely blind?

MY:  I don't know anyone on the Saints team! My mentor this past season was Deuce but he is no longer on the team. So it looks like I'll be completely blind, I hope they'll embrace me!

SN: Can you maybe tell the Saints fans what they should expect from you as a player? Any big time college moment experiences you want to share with us?

MY: The Saints fan should expect a hard working, blue collared guy who doesn't mind making an appearance to speak to kids or different events! They should expect me to make this team and contribute on where ever they coaches need me!

SN: What do you know about the Saints cornerback situation going in? It's crowded with depth so do you see it as an uphill battle making the team?

MY: Yeah, I know it's crowded, but I don't see it as an uphill battle because my play and overall work ethic will speak for itself! All the teams that called me had crowded secondaries so it wasn't going to be easy anywhere I went... But I don't want it to be easy! Thanks man! Who Dat!?

Saints Nation: Getting to Know Saints' Undrafted Rookie Free Agent Rafael Priest

Saints' new rookie undrafted free agent Rafael Priest of TCU was kind enough to stop by Saints Nation and tell us a little bit about himself. I've got a few of these lined up so you can look forward to these in the coming days. Many thanks to Rafael for taking the time. He seems like a hard worker, a class act, and a player with potential. Best of luck to him!

Saints Nation: Welcome to the Saints and thanks for doing this! Can you tell me about the draft? Did you expect to get drafted and were you told you might go by a certain round?

Rafael Priest: I expected to get drafted in the late rounds and only the late rounds because I suffered a foot injury before we played in the Fiesta Bowl. So with that injury I didn't get to run a 40 time on my pro day, and the injury scared teams off. During the season I was projected to be a 4th-5th round pick.

SN: I'm sure not getting drafted was a disappointment, especially with your success prior to the injury, but talk about the process afterward and how you feel about joining the Saints?

RP: After the draft I was disappointed but I was very fortunate to join the world champion Saints!

SN: Who is the toughest player you've gone up against during your college career?

RP: Throughout my career at TCU I have faced plenty of great receivers and many of them are NFL starters/contributors. So for me to pin-point 1 particular receiver would be very tough!

SN: So do you know anyone on the Saints or have any ties with the team, or will you be going in completely blind?

RP: No I don't know anyone or have any ties with the Saints organization. Other than I played with David Roach who's currently a safety for the Rams, he started his career off with the Saints a couple of years ago.

SN: I saw you had a streak of 47 consecutive games started in college, is that right? That's a ridiculous stat. What else should Saints fans know about you as a player?

RP: Yea that's correct, I started every year I was at TCU. I always play like I'm the underdog. I'm only about 5'10 but when I play you would never know. I started the season ranked as rivals.com 6th best cornerback in the nation. I was also a 3rd team All-American on a couple of lists. My stats weren't that good this year because I didn't get much action on my side!

SN: What do you know about the Saints cornerback situation going in? It's crowded with depth so do you see it as an uphill battle making the team?

RP: I know its pretty stacked, but I also know a lot of corners got hurt this past season and they gave free agents opportunities. I have the mindset that I am a draft pick that slipped to free agency because of my prior injury that I'm now healthy from. Its gonna be a challenge, but I'm ready.

Saints Nation: Grading Drafts Is Stupid

I will not be handing out a letter grade for the Saints' draft class, or anyone's. The idea that "experts" can tell how good or bad a draft is just hours after it happened has to be the most ridiculous concept I've ever heard. Like anyone would know what genius picks Jahri Evans and Marques Colston were going into the draft. Based on their production since the draft, both players would have been top 10 picks, not drafted in the 4th and 7th rounds respectively. I'm pretty sure Pierre Thomas wouldn't have gone undrafted either. Similarly, how often are picks labeled "can't miss" only to flop royally? I really don't think you can put any stock in how people grade draft classes unless those grades are given a MINIMUM of 3 years later. The bottom line is the draft isn't an exact science. Fans don't know what they're getting, media "experts" don't know, and the teams don't even know for sure. As much time that's spent scouting, interviewing, and testing, teams still get it wrong all the time.

So here's what I suggest you do if you hear any talk about the Saints having an awful or mediocre draft (or even a great one): wait at least three years before rushing to judgment. To further illustrate what a difference a year can make, consider that Meachem and Bushrod were both considered horrible picks leading up to 2009, a couple years into the careers of both players. Look how they contributed in 2009, and in one year the importance of those picks made a complete 180. Patience is a virtue.

Saints Nation: Former Saint Aaron Stecker Retires

Amidst free agency, the draft, my interview with Jonathan Goodwin, and undrafted rookie signings, Aaron Stecker's retirement last week got lost in the shuffle. I did want to give the man his due, though, because while he was never a superstar in the league, he was always a very valuable role player. Stecker was a special teams captain and stalwart, but he was also a versatile back that could run outside, between the tackles, catch the football, and block. Stecker played 5 seasons for the Saints from 2004 to 2008, and started 15 games due to injuries to players ahead of him on the depth chart at running back. His most productive season was 2007 when he rushed for 448 yards, caught 36 passes, and scored 5 times. He also ran back a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in 2004 against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thanks for the memories #27, and thanks for your time with the team. He was always a fun football player to watch, and he embodied the high character/hard working prototypical Saint we've come to expect over the last few years.

Saints Nation: Interview with Saints' Pro Bowl Center Jonathan Goodwin

Below is an interview made just before the draft with Saints' Pro Bowl center Jonathan Goodwin. I always greatly appreciate how generous the players are with their time, and Jonathan was no exception. A class guy, through and through. Many thanks to him, and I hope you enjoy!

Saints Nation: So the schedule just got released. Anything jump out at you? I know you guys just take it one game at a time, but the rematch against Minnesota and the Thanksgiving day game against Dallas are big time events.

Jonathan Goodwin: Yes, we will be on national TV a lot this year.  Also we have some tough turnarounds on our schedule.  For example playing in San Francisco on a Monday night and then coming home for a division game against the Falcons.   I think we will be ready.  Its a tough schedule but one I think we will be prepared for.  I'm excited!

SN: Going back to your early days with the Saints, you started as a backup and got the starting spot once Jeff Faine left in free agency. Those were big shoes to fill because Faine was a big time player in New Orleans. Based on your Pro Bowl invite this year, I'd say you filled those shoes and then some. Can you talk about how difficult that was, stepping into a more prominent role with the team?

JG: It was not too difficult for me.  I didn't play a lot early on as a Saint but I started in some key games when i was in New York (with the Jets).  I am a confident player and I knew I could get the job done when called upon.  I thank the organization for believing in me.  I knew I would be the question mark of the line when I was plugged in, so it was my goal to show that the center position would not be a weak link because Jeff left.

SN: During this past season, the game against the Vikings in the NFC Championship is the only time I can remember a botched snap all year long. It's funny, when that happened I thought to myself "I don't think Goodwin and Brees have done that all season". It seems easy, but you see college teams, high school teams, and even pro teams struggle getting clean snaps. What it is about your chemistry with Drew and your ability to snap the ball that is so consistent and makes it look so easy? I think Saints fans take for granted how your shotgun snaps are on the money every time, and how we almost never have fumbled snaps. Any secrets there? Am I right that it's taken for granted a little bit?

JG: The most important thing is the exchange.  Without that no offensive play can take place.  The center and the quarterback are the only positions that touch the ball every play.  Drew and I take a lot of pride in it.  You are right, that was our only botched snap!

SN: With Jammal Brown going down this past season and Jermon Bushrod coming in, that was a lot more pressure on you and the rest of the line to help out the blindside. I noticed blocking schemes that shifted to the left, double teams, and chips. Probably more so than if Jammal Brown hadn't gotten hurt. How much did his injury change your game plan as a blocking unit, and how do you think Bushrod handled left tackle?

JG: Jermon did a great job for us.  That is a very difficult position to play in this league.  To have to go against the pass rushers he had to face this year was not an easy task.  Losing Jammal was tough.  He is a key part of our line and one of the top tackles in the game but with some of the rushers they see at the position even he gets help sometimes.  As a line we try to help each other as much as possible.

SN: I know you battled little bumps and bruises all season long. Props to you for playing through it all season and playing well. I think it was ankle issues? Are you feeling better and healthy now?

JG: Yes it was my ankle and im doing much better now.

SN:  Talk about how special the SuperBowl win was for you.

JG: It's something i will cherish the rest of my life.  Its very rare that you have the chance to say you are the best in the world.  I still have a hard time putting it into words.  To become a starter and help the Saints win a Super Bowl will always be a great memory for me.

SN: What are your goals for the 2010 season? Personally and as a team?

JG: Last year was a perfect year for me.  Pro bowl and Super bowl win all in one year.  So I would love to have that happen again this year.

SN: Anything else you want to tell the fans about you? Lots of Saints fans read my blog so this is your chance to tell them something if you'd like to.

JG: I would just like to thank the fans.  The support is unbelievable.  Ive been on another team before so I know how much better Saints fans are.  Keep the support coming and we will do our best to keep the titles coming.

Thanks again Jonathan, and good luck to you in 2010!

Saints Nation: Saints' 2010 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents List

There's been confirmation, per KFFL, Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune, Fletcher Mackel, WDSU Sports Anchor, and Nola.com

DE Junior Galette of Stillman College
LB Jason Beauchamp of UNLV
LS Clint Gresham of TCU
DT Ekom Udofia of Stanford
DT Jay Ross of ECU
S Harry Coleman of LSU (pictured)
OL Brandon Carter of Texas Tech
CB Marcell Young of Jacksonville St.
S Ryan Hamilton of Vanderbilt
RB Chris Ivory of Washington St.
CB Rafael Priest of TCU
QB A.J. McKenna of Albany St.
RB Christian Ducre of Mississippi St.
WR Jamarko Simmons of WMU

Per NOLA.com, LSU WR Chris Mitchell will also join the team as a training camp invitee, though he has received no contract.

I will continue to update as more news comes in.

Saints Nation: Saints Select Sean Canfield in 7th Round with their last pick, a QB from Oregon St.

The Saints drafted a left handed quarterback with their 7th round of the draft. This concludes the draft for the Saints who are out of picks. The Saints have entertained veteran quarterbacks in free agency, and there's still a good chance they'll sign one, but right now Canfield will compete with Chase Daniel for the backup spot to Drew Brees. Those two youngsters have a pretty good player to learn from. Canfield has nice size at 6'4", and here's his write up per NFL.com:

Strengths: "Canfield is tall with adequate bulk. Possesses a quick release and is a bit of a lefty dart thrower who fits the ball into tight spaces on underneath routes. Does his homework, understands coverage and makes good pre-snap reads. High-character kid who was very productive as a senior."

Weaknesses: "Lacks adequate arm strength and will be unable to make all the throws at the next level. Does not have the speed or athleticism to evade more athletic pass rushers and is not a threat to pick up yards on the ground. Struggles to make good decisions when things break down."