Saints Defense By Position

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jul 20, 2008 - UPDATED: 10:25 a.m.

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DEFENSIVE LINE

RETURNEES: DE Charles Grant, DE Will Smith, NT Hollis Thomas, DT Brian Young, DT Antwan Lake, NT Kendrick Clancy, DE Josh Savage (practice squad).

TOP NEWCOMERS: DT Sedrick Ellis (D1, USC), DE Bobby McCray (UFA, Jacksonville), DT DeMario Pressley (D5a, North Carolina State).

PROJECTED STARTERS: Grant (LE), Ellis (DT), Young (NT), Smith (RE).

OUTLOOK: After Smith and Grant, who played the second half of the season on a badly injured ankle, combined for just 9 1/2 sacks, the Saints came to the realization they had to generate more of a pass rush while also doing a better job against the run. They signed McCray to bring more heat in a three-man rotation with Smith and Grant, then moved up in the draft to get Ellis — an All-American who can rush the passer and stop the run. Young will be a key if he can avoid injuries that sidelined him for part of last season, while Thomas will be part of the inside rotation if Ellis beats him out as the starter.

LINEBACKERS

RETURNEES: SLB Scott Fujita, MLB Mark Simoneau, WLB Scott Shanle, WLB Troy Evans, MLB Marvin Mitchell.

TOP NEWCOMER: MLB Jonathan Vilma (trade, New York Jets).

PROJECTED STARTERS: Fujita (SLB), Vilma (MLB), Shanle (WLB).

OUTLOOK: The Saints have been in need of an athletic, playmaking linebacker to plug into the middle of their defense, and they finally got their man in Vilma. The former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year languished in Eric Mangini’s 3-4 scheme and is thrilled to be the center of attention in the Saints’ 4-3. Fujita has been steady the last two seasons and last year led the team in tackles (119) to go with three sacks and three forced fumbles. Shanle tied for third in tackles with 96, but wasn’t as effective as he was the year before. Simoneau, who is expected to move into a backup role, and Evans are the only other experienced linebackers on the roster.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

RETURNEES: CB Mike McKenzie, CB Jason Craft, CB Jason David, S Josh Bullocks, S Roman Harper, S Kevin Kaesviharn, CB Usama Young, S Chris Reis.

TOP NEWCOMERS: CB Randall Gay (UFA, New England), CB Tracy Porter (D2, Indiana), CB Aaron Glenn (UFA, Jacksonville).