Saints Rookie Tracy Porter needs to get "His Grown Man Own"

When a team drafts a player there are two questions asked. Will this guy be able to make an immediate impact, or will he have to learn and mature first before he can contribute to the team?

The New Orleans Saints drafted Sedrick Ellis in the first round to make an immidiate impact on defense. Tracy Porter, however was seen as a player that would have to mature a little before he would be asked to contribute full time.

So far this preseason Jason David has still shown he cannot play man to man, and is a liability on the field. So now the Saints are looking at Porter to make an impact faster than the initial plan.

The Saints liked what they saw in Porter when they drafted him in the second round.

Good height, better than average speed, and good play making ability all tell, tell signs of a shut down corner. Corner back is a difficult position to learn, especially at the pro level. Making reads, and adjustments quickly is essential. Porter has the skills to make it at the next level, he only needs to show maturity, and leadership to prove he does not have to wait before he is ready.

The Saints defense as whole must improve if it wants to be Super Bowl contenders.

An important key to that success will be someone that can step up and make plays down the field. McKenzie is trying to return from injury and is also getting up in age, those two things will contribute to him having lost a step. The Saints need a young guy that can come in and be the future star of the secondary for years to come.

Jason David has proven he is not that guy, Randall Gay is a good nickle back but not a shut down corner. Aaron Glenn is not far from retirement, he will provide good mentoring and support but is not a long term solution.

This is a perfect opportunity for Tracy Porter to come in and make a name for himself. He will make some mistakes, but his raw talent will also allow him to make some plays, and offer a better choice at covering the top receivers in the game today.

The Saints cannot do worse than they did last year on defense, and the choices are limited on the depth chart. If you want to get better, play the guy that gives you a chance. Improved defensive line play will also help. Getting pressure on the QB, and forcing him to make bad throws, will create turn over opportunities, and Porter is a guy that can take advantage of the situation.

The Cincinnati game will be good for Porter, if he can show good reads, and adjustments, along with showing he is mature enough. He can solidify his case for being one of the Saints starting corner backs when the Saints play Tampa on September seventh.

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