Saints 2009 Position Battles: Defensive Tackle

by Saintsational on May 13, 2009 6:00 AM CDT Comment 21 comments

We're getting closer to the end of our early look at the Saints' 2009 roster as we discuss the teams defensive tackle candidates today. The depth here is a little thinner this year following the loss of both Brian Young, Hollis Thomas and Antwan Lake. The good news is that it's significantly younger as well. Deciding who will make the team, however, isn't too difficult barring an unexpected surprise.

Current defensive tackles on the Saints roster:

Player	Height	Weight	Age	Experience
Sedrick Ellis	6'1"	307	23	2
DeMario Pressley	6'3"	301	23	2
Kendrick Clancy	6'1"	305	30	10
Rod Coleman	6'2"	285	32	10
Remi Ayodele	6'2"	318	26	3
Earl Heyman	6'1"	289	21	R

Sedrick Ellis is the only player on this list that I would consider a sure thing. He worked his way into a starting role last season and no one on the team appears to be able to unseat him. Ed Orgeron is long gone and his contributions to the Saints organization were minimal to say the least but he was key in acquiring Sedrick Ellis so for that, we must thank him.

The only other defensive tackle who is practically a lock, though not a sure thing, is veteran Kendrick Clancy. With Young and Thomas now gone, Clancy's stock just shot up along with his name on the depth chart. Not only will he make the team this year, he should be starting unless someone else can knock him off.

Saints fans should be excited about finally getting to see 2008 draft pick DeMario Pressley in action this year. The defensive tackle was placed on IR during training camp last year only after creating a buzz about his talent. If Pressley is as impressive as all the talk suggests than he might be the one to oust Clancy from his starting spot. It would also greatly reduce the Saints lack of depth at DT.

What we can expect from Rod Coleman is anybody's guess. Coleman comes into training camp after taking the 2008 season off but was quite talented in his prime. Noted for his pass rushing ability more so than his run stuffing [Edited by Saintsational, 05/13/09 11:26 AM CDT ], Roderick could turn out to be a smart pick up. Like Pressley, if Coleman exceeds expectations than the Saints will have solved their defensive tackle depth issues.

Rounding out the list are Remi Ayodele and Earl Heyman, two players who face the toughest odds in training camp. Ayodele was brought in last year but only notched a total of three tackles in six games. Heyman was brought in last week and has yet to play a down in the NFL. Assuming the Saints are only keeping four DT's, both will need near miracles (read: injuries) to make the team this summer.

Now it's your turn to weigh in. Is this position really that easy to predict or will there be a surprise or two during training camp this year?

Poll

Will Ellis, Clancy, Pressley and Coleman all make the team this year?

Yes

475 votes

No

65 votes

540 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Pressley

We know he’s a beast, but can he stay healthy and adapt to the pro game? I’m assuming the coaching staff believes so since we cut loose Thomas and Young. Along with the DB competition, this will be fun to watch b/c it’s so wide open.

by cptbags on May 13, 2009 6:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

also 3 million back in the cap. good move coach

by Norml912 on May 13, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I am not mistaken

I think they were planning on Spicer possibly playing DT some also, especially after the first 4 game if the suspension sticks.

by Philinwood on May 13, 2009 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

did anyone sign Antwan Lake?

I thought he was a decent reserve and could provide depth. if nobody has signed him, maybe he wasn’t as quality as I thought.

Being a Saints fan will take years off your life

by MobileSaint on May 13, 2009 8:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If we have depth problems,

we could always try Jason David at DT. You gotta admit, it would be fun to watch.

by GlackAndBold on May 13, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pressley and Ellis will be our starting DTs for week 1 against the Lions

by AKAY47 on May 13, 2009 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that's what i was thinking

give pressley a chance since he’s been so hyped up. maybe he will be our colston except at dt instead of wr

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on May 14, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

coleman had 10 sacks

the last year he played for the falcons. that’s not to bad, with the ability to play end and tackle. this really won’t be settled till the upcoming starcap trial (cross your fingers).if will and grant lose,the saints will carry extra D ends\ tackles, the NFL will give us 2 extra roster spots, till grant and will return.

by r c a on May 13, 2009 10:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Starcaps

So do y’all think they were taking them to cover up steroids? Or just to shed weight? I can’t make up my mind. They both need to be strong at DE but also not overly heavy and slow.

by ReggieVilma on May 13, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

shed weight

by MT_always on May 13, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wieght loss

it’s all about making their weight. no one has even suggested that they were on roids,and you are right about coleman ,a hell of a pass rusher. the biggest defensive free agent signing the saints had this off season (in my opinion,I know every one gonna say sharper),but with the uncertainty of the starcaps sit.and his versatility ,well i’m glad he’s here

by r c a on May 13, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they werent on steriods. If their stellar production last year was enhanced by steriods, I’m not looking forward to seeing them play clean.

by nepomo on May 13, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All indications point to weight loss...

not steroids masking. This is what has bugged me about the Starcaps story from the beginning. The reason the league tried to suspend them is because the banned substance in Starcaps can be used as a masking agent, so most just jumped to that conclusion without recognizing that all players involved have weight management issues and are expected to report to camp at or below a certain weight. Deuce had this stuff tested three years ago and the league OKed it. Then, Starcaps started adding the banned substance without listing it on the label. It’s as simple as that. The players involved just chose a bad product to help them lose weight in a hurry and thus avoid paying team overweight fines out of their salaries.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by satchmo26 on May 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that the success of smaller lighter faster DE's

has drastically changed the possibilities of DE mold. Also the aforementioned style is the best way to overcome someone like Jamaal Brown….. So it could be completely legit trying to lose weight

by Norml912 on May 13, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh it is legit trying to lose weight… but you still have to use a legal substance to do that. If I was to try to claim to the cop that my mary jane was because I was trying to lose weight it wouldn’t do much good.

That said, they (apparently) thought that they were doing exactly that, and if their claims that the NFL didn’t spread the word properly have any merit whatsoever (which I’d bet they do) and there is any reason to believe the NFL has the responsibility to do so (and between Deuce having it tested previously and the CBA I’m quite sure there is) then they should not be penalized for doing what they thought was OK even when it turns out it wasn’t.

by FriarBob on May 13, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that for certain?

the 2 extra roster spots, that is? How does that work? I guess you attempt to sign a player for 4 games only? I would think anybody with talent may want to try to test the waters for a full season contract. Can you elaborate if you know anything about this situation?

by Philinwood on May 13, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes

it will probably be players in camp now ,i’m sure the saints are ready for the possibility of grant and will not being there. when they return someone will either get cut or put on the practice squad.

by r c a on May 13, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coleman

I’m pretty sure Coleman is regarded as a pass rusher, not run stuffer. He had over 10 sacks three different seasons in his career.

by ReggieVilma on May 13, 2009 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you guys see much value in having the one MASSIVE DT?

I know it depends on which one, but in theory. Do you like having the 340+ pound guy in there along with the 290-310 pound guy or do you prefer two quicker 290-310 guys? I guess you have to throw in what your linebackers and ends are like, but Im just curious to hear your thoughts

by nepomo on May 13, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

massive DTs

usually get tired faster. With matt ryan running no huddle on us all game a huge dt wouldnt be much help. Guys like sed are usually in better shape and can handle a no huddle offense.

by fruly on May 13, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but at LEAST one person

on your defensive line has to command a double team to help with pressuring the QB. If we cannot achieve this we will again be lackluster in pressuring the QB and allow them time to potentially tear up the secondary

by Norml912 on May 13, 2009 5:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs