Rick Reiprish Interview Transcript
Q&A with Saints scouting director after the Saints 3rd-round pick

posted April 23, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

Q: Talk about Alfred Fincher...

A: "He looks the part, as far as being a physical build. He's outstanding with the intangible things. The work ethic, he brings his lunch pail everyday to practice, he's a hard worker, he's really a football player. He was productive at Connecticut. He brings a football mentality to the team."

Q: Was this a need or the best player?

A: "Actually, he's both. I would say we thought a lot about him. "

Q: Could you compare him to Courtney Watson, who you drafted last year?

A: "They play different positions. They are pretty close as far as athletic ability."

Q: Can he be a middle linebacker?

A: "No, I think he will be an outside linebacker, a Will. He's played inside, but he could be an outside linebacker. I would probably try him there, but it's up to Coach Haslett where he wants to play him."

Q: Is it a deep draft?

A: "In looking at the players who we thought would appear at this time, it looked like a pretty good draft in the middle. There are a lot of people who you don't get excited about because at first you are looking for a first-round pick. But when you get to this point of the draft, Fincher sticks out because of the motor he brings and the intangibles."

Q: What makes Jammal Brown a special player?

A: "When you watch him play the game, what makes him outstanding to me is the ease which he plays the position. He makes it look simple to play tackle. And he has the grinder mentality you look for, an aggressive guy until the whistle blows. We've seen him block people out of bounds into the bleachers."

Q: What about Josh Bullock?

A: "He's really a fast kid, with the size we are looking for at safety. He brings the size, speed and hitting ability to the position. He's also pretty fair in coverage. Ball skills are good, has no problem catching and playing the ball in the air. As a safety, his coverage skills are fine."

Q: Can you give an overall review?

A: "When we looked at the draft in day one, the people we liked, you have a group of maybe 25 guys you'd like to get in the draft - and you aren't going to get all of them, obviously - but in taking Jammal Brown, is really a big plus to our offensive line. He will start, give us an ability to run the ball. Josh Bullock at safety, we have a safety who is getting a little older, and he gives us some solid help. In Fincher, I don't know if you can ever have enough linebackers, athletic guys who can run and hit. For special teams and he'll make us better by the competition he creates at linebacker."

As always keep here at NOPF for the latest.

Home  Back

New Orleans Saints tickets and other NFL tickets at Buy/Selltix.com.