:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36091506/20140102_ajl_ah6_579.0.jpg)
As we count down from 50 days until the New Orleans Saints begin their regular season in Atlanta, on September 7th, we're getting to know a little bit about those players who have signed on to bring home another Lombardi trophy.
Today, we take a brief look at rookie safety Pierre Warren and the impressive John Jenkins.
So, with no more ado:
6 WEEKS UNTIL ATLANTA!!!
#42: Pierre Warren (S, Rookie)
Announcing for the draft a year early, despite his status as a fringe prospect at best, Pierre Warren was picked up by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent out of Jacksonville State after this year's draft.
As a two-year starter in college, Warren posted 166 tackles, a sack, eight interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 29 passes defensed, a forced fumble and five fumble recoveries. He has good size and arm length, and has been rather productive going after the ball. However, he tends to be easily manipulated by opposing quarterbacks, has unimpressive speed, and is lacking the tackling skills and general instincts required to be a solid NFL defender.
Considering the competition at safety behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro, including Rafael Bush and Vinnie Sunseri, Pierre Warren will have a very tough time making it onto the practice squad, much less the final roster.
Contract:
3 yr(s) / $1,530,000. Average: $510,000 per year through 2016.
#92: John Jenkins (NT, 2nd year)
A tremendously strong and sizable defender who is able to take on multiple blockers, Jenkins helped man the center of the Saints defense as a rookie in 2013, rotating is an nose tackle throughout last season. A third round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Jenkins appeared in all 16 games with five starts in his first year out of the University of Georgia, and produced 29 tackles (15 solo) while plugging the middle for one of the league's top defenses.
He kicked off his impressive rookie season by making four tackles (one solo) against Atlanta, who was held to under 100 yards rushing in the Falcons' season-opener loss to the Saints. One week later, he started his first NFL game at Tampa Bay, where he posted four stops (three solo) in a 23-17 win.
In his postseason debut, Jenkins recorded four tackles (three solo) in the NFC Wild Card win at Philadelphia, where he helped the defense hold the NFL’s leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, to 77 yards rushing and a 3.7 yards per carry average. In the NFC Divisional playoff game at Seattle, posted three tackles (one solo) and his first career sack.
As impressive as John Jenkins was during his rookie season, Saints fans should be able to continue expecting great things from him this year.
Contract:
4 yr(s) / $2,792,560. Average: $698,140 per year through 2016.