National Football League

Saints wrap up draft with 2 more defensive players

Published May. 1, 2011 3:10 a.m. ET

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For a coach known as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, Sean Payton spent a lot of time focused on defense during the draft.

The New Orleans Saints had six picks in the 2011 draft and used five on defensive players, including both of their picks on Saturday - the most defense-heavy draft the franchise has had since the number of rounds was reduced to seven in 1994.

''We'll see how these guys do,'' Payton said. ''I thought our scouts ... did a great job this year. We've been very consistent and very deliberate in our process.''

Given their free-agent signing of defensive tackle Shaun Rogers shortly before the NFL lockout began, the Saints seemed confident that had made a significant strides toward one of the primary goals of the offseason - to add talent and depth along the defensive line and linebacker corps.

''We said going in we wanted to address our front seven in a perfect world. I clearly think we were able to do that,'' general manager Mickey Loomis said after the Saints had used their only two picks of the draft's final day on Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus and Illinois linebacker Nate Bussey.

They'll join a draft class that includes California defensive end Cameron Jordan (first round), Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson (third round) and Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick (third round).

Although New Orleans' defense ranked fourth overall in yards allowed last season, the unit was 18th in sacks with 33 and 16th against the run, allowing 112.3 yards per game.

The Saints figured that if they could stop the run better and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that would lead to more possessions for Drew Brees and an offense that has ranked first in the NFL in three of the last five seasons.

Alabama running back and 2009 Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram turned out to be the only player the Saints could not resist.

New Orleans had him ranked as the top running back in the entire draft, so when they saw an opportunity to trade up with New England to get him on Thursday night, they gladly gave the Patriots this year's second-round choice and a first-round pick next season.

''When you're able to get what is the best running back in the draft, obviously you seize that opportunity,'' Loomis said.

The move seemed to alienate Saints running back Reggie Bush, who shortly afterward posted on Twitter: ''It's been fun New Orleans.''

But Payton spoke with Bush on Friday and later said he ''absolutely'' expected Bush back, even though Bush is owed $11.8 million next season and the Saints will want him to accept a pay cut.

Loomis reiterated that when the draft ended.

''We've clearly stated that we see Reggie in our plans,'' Loomis said. ''Obviously there's a contract issue that will have to be resolved at some point. We're not able to do that right now and so when the time comes and we're able to do it, we'll try to get that resolved, and if we can, great. Reggie won't be gone because we don't want him.''

Picking Romeus was a risk because of two injuries that sidelined him for most of his senior season, but at pick No. 226, there are no huge gambles.

In his junior season, the 6-foot-4, 264-pound Romeus was the 2009 co-Big East defensive player of the year, with 43 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for losses and eight sacks. He also had an interception, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and a blocked point-after attempt.

Although he was a bona fide NFL prospect by the end of that season, he decided to remain in school one more year, which he now believes caused him to slide back dozens of draft spots, costing him a lot of money.

Trouble started in the first game of his senior season, when Romeus decided he needed surgery to alleviate nagging back pain.

When he finally returned for Pitt on Nov. 11 for a critical game against Connecticut, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. UConn won the game and the conference title, while Romeus could only look forward to reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and an uncertain future. He had also lost his mother to cancer during his senior season.

''It's tough. I can't act like I didn't struggle a lot,'' Romeus said. ''Emotionally, it's been a tough season for me. I had so many expectations going into my senior year coming back. ... At the same time, it made me a better person. I've gone through these different things. It's tried me and I'm still standing. I know when I look back, I'm going to look back and just appreciate things so much more.''

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