The calendar says it's July, which means one thing to NFL diehards: this tortuously long offseason is now weeks away from coming to a merciful end.
The Saints' training camp officially opens on July 24 in Jackson, so between now and then most likely all of their draft picks with the possible exception of Sedrick Ellis, will be signed to contracts and report on time. Ellis, slated for a starting job at defensive tackle, probably will wait to see what the Chiefs' Glenn Dorsey signs for before he agrees to terms with the Saints. Ellis shouldn't be more than two days late reporting.
Subject of today's column is former LSU running back Jacob Hester, who was drafted in the third round by the Chargers. He was put to the test during the Chargers' minicamp, taking snaps not only from the fullback spot, but at running back, from the slot, and even up at the line of scrimmage. San Diego coach Norv Turner was testing the limits of Hester's versatility, and came away impressed. Hester's unique skill sets adds a new dimension to the Chargers' offense, and Turner will make adjustments to the playbook accordingly. This season the Chargers will use some formations and pass routes that weren't implemented in 2007.
Hester is never heard he was the biggest or fastest. That's because he's not. He is 5-foot-11, 225 pounds and ran a slow 4.59 40-yard dash at the combine.
Thing is, Hester can play football. He might make a team better. He was brought to San Diego to play running back, fullback and special teams. He does them all with abandon.
"He's a three-for-one guy, a blue-collar guy," said LSU running backs coach Larry Porter, who coached Hester the past three seasons. "I said whoever got Jacob was going to get more than their money's worth."
"I would be shocked if he's not a damn good NFL player," said 49ers coach Mike Nolan after working with Hester at the Senior Bowl."
Hester was LSU's leading rusher last season (1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns) during the Tigers' national championship run.
"Not a lot of teams draft football players," said Hester. "I'm glad the Chargers did."
Hester said the toughest part of being a pro is learning the various positions. "Every play is different," he said.
"He's a perfectionist," said Katie, his wife of 11 months. "He always works hard for himself. He doesn't accept anything less. I think when people say he cant do something, he's not good enough to do something, that's when he is pushed and wants to prove them wrong."
"Jacob embraces contact," said Porter. "He wants the ball in critical situations. A lot of guys say they want the ball, but he wants it. And he loves special teams. When we had injuries, he'd play all over. We could basically tell him what to do and he would execute extremely well."
Porter said Hester was the unquestioned leader of the running backs the last two seasons at LSU, hosting his teammates for dinners and making sure all the five-star recruits got along.
"If guys had a problem, they knew who to come to because he'd set them straight," said Porter.
Hester said being married has accelerated his sensibilities.
"Being married has helped me mature in every aspect," said Hester. "You have to mature. You have to support somebody else. It's not just anymore. Every play on the practice field, I know it's her livelihood, too, so I make sure I know what I'm doing."
Chargers general manager A. J. Smith is glad he traded up to draft Hester. "I'm convinced this guy is going to help this team," said Smith. "And he's going to be a fan favorite because he's going to make plays all over the field."
SOME HITHER, OTHERS YOU: Atlanta Tucker running back/cornerback Drayton Calhoun said he's having no seconds about his February commitment to LSU. "I'm graduating early from high school and will be enrolling at LSU in January," Calhoun told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 6-foot, 175-pound Calhoun chose LSU over scholarship offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. "They've all kind of backed off recruiting me, but schools like Georgia still write me now and then and say 'good luck' of 'come and visit us,' " said Calhoun. Calhoun, who was recruited by the Tigers as an athlete, will likely see Georgia in action on Oct. 25 when LSU hosts the Bulldogs. "I'm going to try and go to that game," said Calhoun. He averaged 8.8 yards per carry last season, and has no plans to visit any school other than LSU this fall. "I talk to the coaches at LSU every week," he said. "I really like the coaching staff there. Coach Les Miles is a caring family guy."...
Colston Charities, the organization founded by Saints wide receiver Marques Colston is currently holding an online auction to support neglected, abused and underprivileged children. The auction is open at www.colstoncharities.org. Items available include: A Colston Hofstra game-worn jersey, Saints autographed guitar, Saints team facsimile signed white panel football, and an autographed Colston bobblehead. The auction ends on Wednesday..."The Making of a Quarterback, the Incredible Rise of Eli Manning and the New York Giants" will hit the book stores in about two weeks...Author is Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Post...The Hornets' season-tickets sales are up to about 10,000...Former Saints offensive tackle Stan Brock? Head football coach at West Point. Ex Saints tight end John Tice is his offensive line coach...The Bills have signed defensive tackle Kyle Williams of LSU to a three-year contract. The deal has a maximum value of $14.5 million and includes $5.7 in guaranteed money...Trivia time: Name two Heisman Trophy winners who have the same surnames as past presidents of the U.S. Answer at bottom.
The Saints have added signed two former Voo Doo offensive linemen, Rob Hunt and Isaiah Ross. To make room, the Saints cut Carnell Stewart and Marquay Love....With diesel fuel prices 34 per cent higher than they averaged in 2007, the state of Mississippi has cut high school sports schedules by 10 per cent. the state of Tennessee is radically changing its league structure to limit cross-state travel...Raise your hand if you think it's just coincidental that T-Mobile is using Brett Favre in a commercial with the tag line: "Say Goodby to Goodbye."...Former LSU safety Craig Steltz could start for the Bears immediately as a rookie or serve as a valuable special teams contributor in the meantime...LSU at Auburn on Sept. 20 is one of the 10 season-defining games of the year in college football. The winner of this game has gone on to win the SEC West six of the past eight seasons, and the last four games have been decided by six points or less. Both face Georgia and Alabama later while Auburn must host Tennessee and the Tigers will have to travel to Florida...I don't know who said it, but I like it: "Vacations are what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer."...My time it up. Ed Staton can be reached at edcoachstaton@yahoo.com....Trival time answer: Bo Jackson and Reggie Bush.
