On Wednesday, the Saints traded defensive end Akiem Hicks to the New England Patriots.
Advertisement
September 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, U.S.; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Hicks (6-5, 324 pounds), was selected by New Orleans in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Regina (Sask.). Other still-active players, like defensive backs Usama Young or Tracy Porter, are either the same guy they were in New Orleans, or an inferior player now.
Breaux and Browner have played all but three snaps on defense, while rookie Damian Swann averages 37 snaps a game as the nickel. Hoomanawanui was buried on the Patriots’ depth chart after Michael Williams had taken over his role as the blocking tight end.
Hicks’ agent, Frank Murtha, has confirmed the trade. “On one of his last plays as a regular against Tampa Bay, he was carried across the formation by a tackle, allowing a run to pass through his gap”. A contract dispute during the 2014 offseason caused a strain in the relationship between Graham and the Saints front office.
Jimmy Graham is having a slow start to his first season with the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, last season Hicks was credited with an impressive 27 quarterback pressures by Pro Football Focus. He played in the Patriots wins at Buffalo and vs. Jacksonville and recorded one special teams tackle. A fifth-round choice of the Rams in 2010, Hoomanawanui signed with the Patriots in September 2012 after the Rams released him at the end of training camp.
Will Drew Brees Play on Week 4?
Advertisement
“I can only hope they are turning in the right direction for this team“.
