Saints Add Free Agent Linebacker Wayne
Former Bronco, Packer, Eagle, Lion signs to compete at weakside linebacker
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
New Orleans Pro Football
Former Bronco, Packer, Eagle, Lion signs to compete at weakside linebacker
The Saints worked out a handful of street free agents on Tuesday, and will continue to as Payton seeks to improve the talent level, especially at linebacker and offensive line.
One of the free agent from Tuesday was journeyman linebacker Nate Wayne, a weakside linebacker by trade. Wayne was signed after a workout and physical.
The former Ole Miss star, Wayne is a 6Ɔ, 230-pound eight year veteran who had 448 career tackles including a pair of 100-tackle seasons in Green Bay. Wayne, 31, also has 16 career sacks, eight interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 22 passes defended.
Wayne arrives at a position on the depth chart that is in need to stability. The Saints have, for now, apparently fixed in Scott Fujita at strongisde and Alfred Fincher at middle linebacker but have no solution at weakside linebacker.
LB Anthony Simmons, who never reported and retired a week into camp, was slated to anchor the linebacking corps and start at weakside. Veteran Tommy Polley was next up, a player with prior experience with Joe Vitt, but has a shoulder injury. Undrafted rookie EJ Kuale and three-year starter Colby Bockwoldt have been working at the position, but clearly not to the satisfaction of the coaching staff.
But Wayne is hardly a lock to start. In the past 17 months, Wayne has been released by three teams, (Eagles (2/2005), Jaguars (9/2005), Lions (5/2006)). Wayne played five games with the Lions last year, collecting 10 tackles and an interception. Because of his experience at the position, and assuming he has passed a physical, Wayne has a shot at winning a job on the team. The Saints owe few loyalties to any of Wayne's competitors, although Vitt does have experience with Polley and has also spent extra time with rookie EJ Kuale.
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