When it comes to play-makers, the Saints have plenty of weapons. The Saints are deep at wide receiver, running back and the potential of their kick and punt returners could rank among the best in the NFL this season.
Reggie Bush became the league's most dangerous and most feared punt returner last season, and with the addition of Courtney Roby…New Orleans will also give opposing teams fits, when they kick the ball off to the Black & Gold.
The Saints signed Roby last October and he made an impact right away. Roby returned nineteen kickoffs…racking up 472-yards with an average of 24.8 yards per kick.
He can explode through a hole with a blink of an eye; he's become one of the best return men in the game today. But he feels like he can do more. Courtney Roby could be an extra special ingredient for the team this season.
"I just try and go out there and help wherever possible. I take pride in special teams, but I also take pride at receiver, which is my natural position. But I'll do whatever is asked of me and do so with the best of my ability," Roby said.
Roby says he's learned some things over the years that have helped him develop into one of the best in the league today. "My goal is to hit the hole as hard as possible not knowing what's on the other side. I let my vision and my instincts take over."
NFL stats show that Roby ranked 17th in the league in average yards per kick return for players with at least nineteen returns. The Saints noticed this too and re-signed Roby back in March.
But Roby can do more than return kicks. During OTA's and the first part of training camp, Roby has made some big plays catching the football. Courtney has twenty-three career receptions for 317-yards, with his best season as a pro back in 2005. In his rookie campaign when he hauled in 21 receptions for 289-yards and one touchdown with the Titans.
Roby says he will take advantage of every rep at receive, and he hopes to be more involved. "I am going to work as hard as I can and try to make things happen." Roby has superior speed in the open field. Maybe 2009 will be the season that he can haul in a few deep balls from Drew Brees.
"Speed is an attribute that was God given to me and I try and use it to my advantage. I worked out and trained hard in the off season and I know that I have to keep getting better," Roby said. When teams break down field and look at the threat of Reggie Bush retuning punts and Courtney Roby returning kicks, the Saints stand to get much better starting field position, as the opposition will have to punt and kick the ball away from these weapons.
Roby wants to be in the mix at receiver, but he knows his ability to make things happen on special teams is what has him in the game today. Roby proved that in 2008 with a monster game against the Packers on Monday Night Football.
Number 15 returned three kicks for an average of 34-yards against the Packers, including a long return of 64-yards. Roby went on to say that what he did last season is now in the past; he's all about improving.
"We have an attitude that we must get better. Everyone has a role and we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to get better." With a speedster like Courtney Roby returning kicks, the Saints could get a much shorter field to work with. That would make the NFL's #1 offense even more difficult to defend!
Join the "Cajun Cannon" Bobby Hebert and "Big Chief" Deke Bellavia and our WWL sports team for SportsTalk live from Saints Training Camp Monday. Then, Bobby, Deke and Hokie Gajan will cover the Saints in Houston. We'll broadcast live from the Texans training facility Tuesday through Thursday! Check out exclusive Saints stories, blogs, photos and the latest news and press conferences on line at WWL.com. And, follow the Saints and WWL on Twitter (twitter.com/wwlamfm).
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