Front 4 key to Saints success

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jun 2, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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METAIRIE — The key to the New Orleans Saints playing better defense this season begins up front.

The Saints signed end Bobby McCray as a free agent, moved up in the first round of the draft to select tackle Sedrick Ellis, picked up tackle DeMario Pressley in the fifth round, and brought in Ed Orgeron to coach the unit. Returnees include starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant and starting tackles Hollis Thomas and Brian Young.

The changes began when McCray left the Jacksonville Jaguars to join the Saints without visiting any other teams.

“They said they watched a lot of film on me and they liked my work ethic,” McCray said. “I figured a team with a great offense — we came in here and they whipped us last year (41-24) — explosive offense, why not come in and be a nice addition to the defense?

“They were talking about wanting to get a better pass rush. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the one they had last year, but it’s a good addition for me to come in and try and help them out.”

McCray’s presence provides depth behind Smith and Grant and allows for flexibility in getting the team’s top pass rushers on the field together on likely passing downs.

“If all three of us can stay fresh we can get after the quarterback, not even mentioning what we have on the inside,” McCray said. “We’ve got a lot of great guys and we’re just trying to have a good rotation, keeping guys fresh, and having an effective pass rush.”

McCray, who was slowed briefly by a pectoral injury sustained while lifting weights, also provides insurance. Grant’s long-term availability is uncertain as he has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Georgia and awaits the resolution of his case. Smith has skipped the team’s off-season program, with the exception of the mandatory mini-camp that concluded Sunday, as he tries to get a new contract worked out.

“He has size and long arms,” coach Sean Payton said of McCray.

“He was nicked up a little bit, but that’s coming along and he’s feeling a lot better. Hopefully he can provide some edge rush and edge pressure. That’s what we’re hopeful for and that’s why we signed him.”

McCray’s presence allows for a variety of personnel groups, including Grant lining up inside on likely passing downs.

“I think you have flexibility,” Payton said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that Charles always goes inside, but you’re looking for the right combination of four or five pass rushers on the field. Whether that means Charles is outside or inside and McCray’s outside, it just gives you flexibility.

“The other thing is that you need to rest these guys, and so it might be that he’s in on a passing situation where we’re trying to rest one of the starting ends that are ahead of him. At that position, having the flexibility and the depth to be able to roll guys through is helpful.”