For offense and special teams, running back Aaron Stecker was nabbed from Tampa Bay to be an occasional third-down back and to help the special teams in the return game, which regressed last season under former pro bowl return man Michael Lewis. Of smaller note, Germane Crowell, a former starting wide receiver with the Detroit Lions released due to injuries, was brought in to help bolster the receiving corps. If healthy, the Saints feel Crowell could be a big addition as a third or fourth wide receiver. He also teamed with quarterback Aaron Brooks in college.
Lastly, the Saints acquired cornerback Jason Craft, a 5th round draft choice and former starter for Jacksonville, via trade with the Jags to compete for the starting job opposite cornerback Fred Thomas.
The draft once again found the Saints in need of a corner, and once again found many jaws dropping as they chose to go defensive line with their first pick for the second year in a row. Ohio State standout defensive end Will Smith was grabbed with the 18th pick by the Saints after the top four players on their draft board, cornerback Deangelo Hall (Virginia Tech), cornerback Dunta Robinson (South Carolina), and linebackers D.J. Williams (Miami) and Jonathon Vilma (Miami), were all picked before the Saints got their chance.
Once these players were off the board, it was the belief of draft experts and many fans that the Saints would move down in the draft and select cornerback Chris Gamble of Ohio State, a player with the size and speed teams love, but who was very raw and unpolished as a corner. The Saints chose to stand pat and select Smith, rated as a top-10 player on most draft boards. In the second round, the Saints selected speedy wide receiver Devery Henderson from LSU, and Courtney Watson, a middle linebacker from Notre Dame.
The Saints traded their third-round pick for a second next year, and finished the draft by selecting Rodney Leisle (pronounced Lyle), a defensive tackle from UCLA, Mike Karney, a fullback from Arizona, and finally their Mr. Irrelevant, linebacker Colby Buckwoldt from BYU.
A key loss in the off-season for the Saints was fullback Terrelle Smith, signed away by the Cleveland Browns. Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in the game today, Smith paved the road for running back Deuce McAllister's romp to the Pro Bowl. The Saints also terminated the contract of cornerback Dale Carter, allowing him to become Ray Lewis' headache in Baltimore. Carter ran afoul of the NFL's alcohol and drug policy on several occasions before and during his Saints career, and was a disappointment to fans and the team during his short career with New Orleans..
Offense
Going into the 2003 season, it was widely believed the Saints would have one of the most explosive offenses in the league. This faith by fans was never rewarded. The Saints did get another Pro Bowl year from McAllister, but inconsistency at quarterback and wide receiver was often frustrating.
Starting quarterback Aaron Brooks took a step forward by cutting his INT total for the season down to eight to go with 24 touchdown passes, but his 14 fumbles, 11 leading to turnovers, led the team. Also, his inconsistency and tendency to run hot and cold often led the coaches to consider benching him. If he continues to show the lack of progression and maturity expected by an NFL quarterback from year to year, look for the coaches to replace him with backup Todd Bouman or NFL Europe star J.T. O'Sullivan.
Wide receiver and tight end, thought to be positions of strength before the season, were also a disappointment. Injuries to receiver Donte' Stallworth and free agent tight ends Ernie Conwell and David Sloan prevented this group from ever developing chemistry with Brooks. Look for Stallworth to put his previous injury concerns behind him this year, though, due to a revamped off-season workout regiment that has seen him drop his body fat from nine percent to three percent and has him working daily with hamstring specialists.
