Notes: Former Saint DT Tony Elliot Dies at 48
Colorful Elliot defeated addiction, played seven seasons for Saints, was paralyzed in 2000; Team sign five

posted January 3, 2008 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

Elliot Dead: Former Saints DT Tony Elliot, who played seven years for the Saints from 1982-1988, died on New Year's Eve. Elliot was found in his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he attended high school before going to college at North Texas St. and drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of the 1982 draft.

The colorful Elliot, who overcame cocaine and marijuana addictions during his playing career, was shot by a suspected drug dealer in 2000 and has been paralyzed ever since. Active off the field, Elliot had been working with children's charities and funding a scholarship program for his high school in Bridgeport.

Elliot died of natural causes at the age of 48.

The NOPF staff extends our condolensces to Elliot's family.

Saints Add Free Agents: The Saints re-signed 2007 practice squad members G Tim Duckworth, TE Buck Ortega, CB Anwar Phillips and DE Josh Savage to offseason contracts. The team also added LSU product Skyler Green. A former fourth round pick of the Cowboys who spent the last year with the Bengals. Green caught three passes with Cincinnati and finished the season on their practice squad.

Savage saw action with the Saints two weeks ago against Philadelphia.

WR Robert Meachem

Meachem Set To Compete: WR Robert Meachem was the only first round pick from the 2007 draft not to dress for a game this season. But he is only one of three wide receivers under contract going into the 2008 offseason, aside Marques Colston and Lance Moore. The exceedingly young Saints may look to bring back a resurgent David Patten, if only to push the average age of Saints receivers over 25.

The Saints will give Meachem a fresh start in the offseason, giving him a full offseason to learn the system and shape his body in an NFL environment. Numerous injuries, including minor knee surgery, prevented Meachem from running full speed throughout most his short Saints career so far.

Notes: Former Saints defensive coordinator Dom Capers and offensive assistant Marvin Marshall, and former Saints safety Brett Maxie who was a secondary coach for the Dolphins, were among those axed by the Dolphins when Bill Parcells and new GM Jeff Ireland cleaned house. Former Saints GM Randy Mueller was also dismissed... DE Will Smith will serve as an honorary captain for the Ohio State Buckeyes, his alma mater, in the BCS Championship Game on Monday... The Buckeyes practiced at the Saints' indoor facility on Thursday... Bears KR Devin Hester was named NFC Special Team Player of the Week after his performance against the Saints... Saints running game coordinator Doug Marrone is linked to the Tennesse Volunteers offensive coordinator job, recently vacated by David Cutcliffe.

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