You ain't seen nothing yet

Football Digest, Oct, 2004 by Barry Wilner

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS COACH Jim Haslett was disappointed in Charles Grant's production as a pass-rusher last season. And Grant was the best pass-rusher the team had.

Grant could be one of the premier sackmasters in the NFL this year, particularly if he lives up to his coach's lofty expectations. Grant had 10 sacks last season, easily leading the Saints and ranking sixth in the NFC. "He could have had 20 [in 2003]," Haslett says. "He needs to be more of a force, and he can be."

Grant enters his third pro season as the most dangerous force on what could be a dynamic defensive front. Darren Howard also is solid at the other end, and the team drafted Will Smith from Ohio State to improve its depth and add more burst. In addition, free-agent defensive tackle Brian Young was signed away from the St Louis Rams and will start next to second-year player Johnathan Sullivan.

But Grant is the key. John Pease, back with the Saints as the defensive line coach, envisions big production from Grant, the team's first-round draft pick in 2002 out of Georgia.

"Charles has the ability to be a dominant player," Pease says. "It takes a consistent effort each day, in practice and in the [weight] room, and it takes the same effort on the field every play. Charles is a young player who is learning that, and he can be very difficult for blockers to handle once he applies what he learns."

Grant always has been proficient at getting sacks. The bigger challenge for the 6"3", 282-pounder is to prove he can handle run defense. Look for him to do just that in 2004.