NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints targeted stopping the
run as a top priority at training camp this summer.
So far this season it's been a top problem. And so far this
season, former first-round draft choice Johnathan Sullivan has done
nothing to help improve the picture.
Sullivan, the sixth overall pick in the 2003 draft, has started
four of seven games, losing his starting spot on two occasions to
Howard Green and Shaun Smith, a pair of unheralded free agents.
Two weeks ago he did not play against the Raiders. He and
reserve running back Ki-Jana Carter were the only active players
who didn't play.
Coach Jim Haslett said Sullivan's inactivity was because of an
injured wrist that prevents him from gaining inside leverage on
offensive lineman, a technique critical to his success.
Sullivan said he had injured his wrist, but acknowledged that
was not what was keeping him sidelined.
"It probably has more to do with my overall play, I guess,"
Sullivan said "It's frustrating. I've learned how to deal with it.
At first I used to get mad all the time, walking around with my
head down. Now I try to stay away from it. I really can't do
nothing about it right now. It's out of my hands. At this point
now, I really don't know what I can do. I'm just lost."
Sullivan hinted that team politics might be a factor, saying
teammates have told him that coaches don't often play the most
talented players, but players "who they like."
"We're playing the best players right now," said defensive
line coach John Pease. "I promise you we'll do that. I really like
my job. I don't spend hours trying to play guys that aren't the
best."
The Saints have invested a lot in the former Georgia standout.
Sullivan is scheduled to receive a club-record $11.4 million in
guaranteed bonuses as part of the original seven-year, $17.8
million contract he signed last year. He already has received more
than $9.4 million of the deal and is due another $3 million in
bonus installments next season.
To make room for Sullivan, the Saints traded popular veteran
Norman Hand to Seattle on draft day in 2003. Midway through last
season, they released veteran defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who
signed with Green Bay a week later and has stood out.
In 20 games including 17 starts, Sullivan has made 41 tackles
and 1 ½ sacks. In six games this season, he has nine tackles and
half of a sack.
"He gets coached as much as anybody, and he gets loved as much
as anyone," Haslett said.
The failure of the defense to stop the run has been a primary
factor in New Orleans' 3-4 start. The defense has allowed 141.3
yards per game on the ground and is No. 29 in the league. Four
backs have rushed for more than 100 yards against the Saints this
season.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, director of player
personnel Rick Mueller and Haslett traded the club's first-round
draft picks in the 2003 draft, Nos. 17 and 18, to Arizona for the
No. 6 overall selection so they could select Sullivan, who was
rated the second-best run stuffer in the draft.
This year Sullivan reported to the Saints' offseason
conditioning program more than 30 pounds overweight. He promised to
shed the extra weight before the start of training camp but failed
to do so.
"I'm all for the guy to be a great player," Haslett said.
"He's got all the athleticism and all the tools to be a great
player in this league. It's just up to him to do it now."
Sullivan said he just wants a chance to prove himself.
"I need playing time," Sullivan said. "I just need to play.
I've talked to (Haslett) about it once. I'm just going to wait and
see what happens."
------
Information from: The Times-Picayune,
http://www.timespicayune.com