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Saints need 'controlled aggression' from rookie guard Jeremiah Wright
The New Orleans Saints might not have planned to rely heavily on Jeremiah Wright immediately. However, as training camp has progressed, injuries appear to be accelerating the rookie right guard's development. The Saints lost veteran lineman Dillon Radunz for the season after he suffered a torn ACL in practice. The injury removed an experienced and versatile reserve from the equation, creating an opportunity for Wright to earn meaningful snaps earlier than initially anticipated. The Saints selected the 6-foot-5, 331-pound Wright with pick No. 132 overall in April's draft. After missing a couple of practices himself, the former Auburn Tigers starter returned to the field on Tuesday and immediately caught head coach Kellen Moore's attention.Good player, physical player, Moore Moore told local reporters after practice on Tuesday. I thought today, getting back in there, he showed the same physicality that he showed early in camp.Moore expects Wright to receive extensive work during the Saints' upcoming joint practices and preseason games. Those reps will give the coaching staff a better indication of whether he's prepared to contribute once the regular season begins: I love what hes doing right now, and hes playing some really good football.Wright said he'll be prepared whenever that opportunity arrives. He pointed to his work with veteran guard David Edwards as an important part of refining his technique and learning how to use his natural power.Sometimes Im an aggressive guy, so I can overdo it, Wright said on Tuesday. But with him, its just being under control controlled aggression and getting to my spot.The physical tools aren't in question for Wright. Moore said the next step will be playing clean, consistent football "down after down," particularly as the speed and intricacies of NFL defenses increase. Wright isn't guaranteed an immediate role, but the Saints' circumstances have moved his development into the spotlight. With Radunz unavailable and several important evaluation periods approaching, the Saints could need their fourth-round pick to be ready sooner than expected.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints need 'controlled aggression' from rookie guard Jeremiah Wright
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