Who Dat News: Saints Host LB's Mayo and Gooden

News: Sean Kiernan, the agent for Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo and Miami (Fla.) LB Tavares Gooden, confirmed the two came to New Orleans to meet with team officials on Monday, according to Sunherald.com Most analysts project Mayo as a late 1st or early 2nd rounder and Gooden as a possible 2nd-round pick. Mayo led the SEC with 140 tackles last season, and recently ran a 4.52 in the forty at the NFL scouting combine. Gooden, who can play any of the three LB positions, ran a 4.48 forty at Miami's pro day and led the Hurricanes with 100 tackles last year.

Who Dat Say: Speed, athleticism, and more speed. The Saints, seemingly tired of their "Oreo" defense, are trying desperately to add "measurables" to their LB core, and Mayo and Gooden, who have been rising up draft boards, can fly. The team has already brought in Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan, but continue to look closely at LB prospects in the draft. Unlike the busts recent draft picks have been -- Sedrick Hodge (2001 - 3rd), James Allen (2002 - 3rd) Cie Grant (2003 - 3rd) Courtney Watson (2004 - 2nd), Albert Fincher (2005 - 3rd) -- Mayo and Gooden actually seem capable of producing at the pro level. Based on Mayo's projected draft slot, the Saints are unlikely to take him unless he slips in the 2nd round. Gooden, however, could provide decent value at LB in the 2nd or 3rd round should the Saints decide to pass on USC's Keith Rivers in the 1st and still wish to address that position.