Raw would be an understatement for Saints third-round draft pick DT Akiem Hicks, but he showed something else in his debut against the Patriots last Thursday. Raw power. Rare athletic ability. Impressive potential.
Hicks had to transfer to a juco (Regina University in Canada) after a recruiting violation forced him out of LSU in 2009. He missed the beginning of Saints training camp with a hand injury. His first practice in pads was Aug. 2, but he made three tackles and deflected a pass at New England six days later.
“He plays with power and leverage and has a lot of athleticism,” Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said after practice on Monday. “We still need to get him quality reps and looks in the preseason, but he really is where we thought he was going to be. We’re happy with the way he played in the first game.”
Hicks (6-feet-5, 324 pounds) practiced with the second unit all day Monday behind Brodrick Bunkley and Remi Ayodele.
Vitt dismissed the notion that defensive tackle is a difficult position for rookies to earn playing time.
"No, I don't think so when you are big and you have courage and you have athleticism," Vitt said. "The league has proven that you can take defensive tackles from small colleges and they can transition into good players."
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.
