Johnathan

Sullivan

He was continually late to meetings. “We’ll keep coaching John until the light comes on,” defensive line coach John Pease said. The Saints paid him too much to cut him in the offseason.

He showed up to camp weighing 330 pounds and won’t start until he loses the weight.

The Saints coaching staff is very frustrated with the defensive tackle and have demoted him to the second team. He’s the weak link in a strong D-line.

During one third quarter series, the second stringer had 3 tackles and 1 sack. Look for the former first-rounder to be bumped up to the first team soon.

One of the biggest busts in recent draft history, Sullivan has played well in both preseason games. He’s starting partly because of an injury to Brian Young, but the Saints sound cautiously optimistic Sullivan can turn his career around.

The former Saint has been on the PUP list for the first week of training camp, but should return to practice soon.

The media couldn’t get an official weight, but they estimated he was close to his high of 350 pounds. When asked how Sullivan looked, coach Bill Belichick said, “It’s June.”

Sullivan was primarily a tackle during his stay in New Orleans. The Pats could use him as a backup nose or end in their rotating 3-4, 4-3 packages.

Sullivan is having a miserable time in the New Orleans heat. The Saints acquired Hollis Thomas this offseason and Sullivan could find himself battling just to be part of the rotation.

The #6 pick of the 2003 draft will be a stern test for Bill Belichick’s ability to maximize talent. A former teammate of Richard Seymour at Georgia, Sullivan will compete for a roster spot at tackle behind Vince Wilfork. It’s a no-risk move for the Patriots, who had no plans to use Johnson.