Ridiculously Early 2011 Saints Roster Breakdown: Defensive Tackle

by Dave Cariello on Jun 20, 2011 6:00 AM CDT

Next up in our incredibly early roster autopsy are the big guys in middle of the defensive line, the tackles. There are seven players currently set to battle it out for a job this summer/fall, including a few young, new names you may not even know. Keep in mind that some players are versatile enough to play defensive tackle or defensive end and should probably be considered for both.

We're ignoring any free agency or lockout implications that exist or may arise in the near future and assuming everyone get's re-signed. Make the jump to see exactly who's currently listed on the roster and to get my opinion on where they stand as far as their chances of making the team this year. Of course I want to hear your opinions on the subject as well.

Definite

Sedrick Ellis

Ellis, now entering his fourth season, continues to get better with each year. The former first round draft pick is definitely a lock to make the roster and once again start for the Saints. No questions here.

Likely

Shaun Rogers, Anthony Hargrove, Remi Ayodele

The veteran tackle is most likely a sure thing but he is getting up there in age which is why the Browns released him in the first place. Assuming his transition to a new team and his return to a 4-3 defense goes smoothly, Rogers is likely a starter.

Ayodele started all 16 games for the Saints in 2010. Even if he loses that starting spot this season, Remilekun is still likely to make the roster.

Though his production dropped off a bit last year as compared to the 2009 championship season, Anthony Hargrove is still a fan favorite with his high motor and his Cinderella story background. Most importantly, Hargrove's value comes from his versatility at playing either tackle or end. Assuming he gets re-signed, I think he's got a good chance at making the roster again.

On the Bubble

None

Longshot

Miller Swanson, Mitch King, Tom Johnson

Recognize any of these names? Me either. All three of these guys have only been in the league a year or less and were each signed to reserve/futures contracts in January. King probably has the most experience, having played four games with Indianapolis. It's highly unlikely, however, that any of them will crack the final roster this year.

Poll

Which DT will make the Saints final roster?

Mitch King

16 votes

Miller Swanson

8 votes

Tom Johnson

24 votes

None

86 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Not familiar with any of the poll choices

great names though. Tom Johnson (sorry stujo) sounds like a great nickname for a wiener.
Mitch King sounds like he got all the girls at school , but had to go with Swanson in
tribute to Led Zeppelin.

That could`ve been me,a useless knome fishing
for turds in a birthing pool.

by saint_chew on Jun 20, 2011 7:15 AM CDT reply actions

Aside from the info 10up provided, I know nothing of these longshots. I did vote for King because how awesome of a name and jersey would look cool in black and gold. It would be becoming of King to dawn a gold helmet.

"I can't believe what I just saw. You could have taken a knee! This isn't Detroit man, this is the Super Bowl!!!"

by Dru504 on Jun 21, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

great picture, btw

I'm sure that the off-setting facemask penalties were called and the down was replayed.

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 20, 2011 7:59 AM CDT reply actions

I bet Rogers has to count for two roster spots because he's so big

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 20, 2011 8:00 AM CDT reply actions

There used to be an ice cream parlor adjacent to Jackson Square named Swanson’s. For that reason alone, I voted None.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 20, 2011 8:40 AM CDT reply actions

Check that, it was Swensen’s. I still voted None.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 20, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

it was right next to Orange Julius in the Hammond Square Mall, too

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 21, 2011 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Never heard of them, voted none.

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
"It took me the longest time to realize I was a procrastinator"-Zach Galifianakis

by metryman on Jun 20, 2011 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

Mitch King was a great player for Iowa. I’m always for Hawkeyes making the team. Iowa has consistently produced some of the best defensive players in football.

by 10up on Jun 20, 2011 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

lol

at “none”

I’m not saying Tom Johnson is THE guy or THE answer, but we paid this guy a ton of money to not make the final roster. He was a stand out in CFL at DT

Via Stu’s favorite site Rotoworld:

Saints signed former CFL DT Tom Johnson.
Sportsnet.ca reports that the deal is over three years and could potentially be worth $1.8 million. Johnson worked out for the Packers, Eagles, Steelers and Redskins over the last week. He’s compiled seven sacks over the past two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

Defensive tackle Tom Johnson, a West Division all-star last season, has come to terms on a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, a deal that with his signing bonus could be worth up to $1.8 million US, said his agent Bardia Ghahremani.

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/p/24021229/Saints-Sign-New-Defensive-Tackle-Tom-Johnson.aspx

That’s alot of coin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qais_eGMnWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39GH-nzrY_I&feature=relatde

by tlsk1066 on Jun 20, 2011 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

that being said,

he probably needs to put on about 10-15 lbs to play in GW’s NFL system, but of the three, he has the most potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qais_eGMnWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39GH-nzrY_I&feature=relatde

by tlsk1066 on Jun 20, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I think tlsk1066(whatever that means) has already found our starting DT in his profile pic.

Maybe MARY JANE will load up and pass the PEACE PIPE around the conference room and they’ll all get happy in a big hurry, which might just help speed up the process. - HansDat

by cscmember on Jun 20, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

we paid this guy a ton of money to not make the final roster

Snort. For you and me 600K sounds like a ton of money, but for an NFL-caliber DT it’s peanuts. And unless most of that money was in a signing bonus (realistically, it’d be completely unsurprising if none of it was and at most maybe ~200K is a roster bonus early in the year), we haven’t paid him jack squat yet.

Still, if he was good in the CFL, in a league where the passing game and the pass rush are even MORE critical than in the NFL, then maybe he’s got a shot to be useful to us.

by FriarBob on Jun 20, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Pepper Johnson’s real name is Tom. Maybe we can start him at LB.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 20, 2011 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

It should be an upgrade.

Maybe MARY JANE will load up and pass the PEACE PIPE around the conference room and they’ll all get happy in a big hurry, which might just help speed up the process. - HansDat

by cscmember on Jun 20, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions