CB DeJuan Groce add, P Kyle Stringer Cut

DeJuan Groce had re-signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New Orleans Saints, but was released on June 15th. He played in 12 games last year as a reserve and on special teams. He started 15 games in 2005, mainly due to injuries to the guys ahead of him.

Full Name: DeJuan Anthony Groce
Born: February 17, 1980
Garfield Heights, OH
Height: 5-10
Weight: 191 lbs.

Age: 27
Pos: CB
Experience: 5 years
College: Nebraska
Drafted: Year:2003 Round:4 Pick:10, Rams

Scouts, Inc. on DeJuan Groce:

Groce is a backup cornerback but was forced into the starting lineup for part of the 2006 season due to injuries. He is more of a special-teams player but has improved his cornerback skills. He is much better in zone coverage than man-to-man coverage, shows good transition from pass to run and shows good recognition. He has a burst coming out of his backpedal and good feel in underneath zones, has good ball skills and plays the ball well in flight. Groce shows good enough quickness to play over the slot receiver and is best suited to play as a nickel cornerback or help in dime coverage. He can get position with his feet, but he needs to become more of a playmaker. He struggles in man coverage when going up to fight for the jump ball, and this allows receivers to take the ball away from him. He needs to be more aggressive to the ball and not get out-muscled by bigger receivers in the middle of the field. Groce also needs to do a better job of breaking down and taking angles to the ball after the catch. His tackling in the open field is poor, and he is often outmaneuvered by quicker, faster opponents. He is quick but does not have top-end speed. Groce has value on special teams as a backup punt returner and reserve player, but overall he is best suited as a backup cornerback in the NFL. His lack of height and speed can expose him when he is out on the island in man-to-man situations.

I wouldn't read too much into the signing with respect to Kevin Hobbs and Pete Hunter. Kyle Stringer was never being seriously considered for the punting job. He was pretty expendable now that there will be less practices because of the preseason games.

The signing may, however, have something to do with Jordan Babineaux. If it looks like he isn't going to be ready by the start of the year, then they might need a 4th CB for a few games. Hobbs and Hunter were never going to be that guy. Groce might be.

Injury News
Ray Willis is working at starting right tackle with Locklear and Jones sitting out. Floyd Womack, Craig Terrill, Marcus Tubbs, Niko Koutouvides, and David Kirtman all returned to practice, but Womack did not participate very much. Tubbs wasn't participating fully either and they were out there in shorts, but he was pushing around Pat Ross in the individual pass-rush drill.

Leonard Stephens and Will Heller are still hobbled with ankle injuries, so new arrival Andy Stokes saw a little action. Josh Wilson sat out with a sore heel.