By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Aug. 19, 2003
METAIRIE, La. On the first day of the final week of training camp the New Orleans Saints addressed a glaring need in the area of backup running back by bringing in the 1995 overall No.1 draft pick Ki-Jana Carter.
Carter, a former Heisman Trophy winner signed a one-year deal for $530,000 earlier in the day and hit the ground running with a vigorous workout in the midst of a 98-degree heat index.
Throughout his injury plagued career, which has included a reconstructed knee, Carter has played in 49 games, starting 14 with 1,513 total rushing and receiving yards and has scored 20 touchdowns.
Carter's entrance may have also helped the cause of former Meridian High standout Kenny Smith, whose name surfaced in the Monday edition of the Washington Post as heading to the Washington Redskins for one of their backup tailbacks.
Both Jim Haslett and Director of Player Personnel Rick Mueller denied the report adamantly.
Mueller was more specific as it related to Smith's status.
Smith recorded three solo tackles in Saturday night's 22-17 exhibition win over the Jets, that Haslett characterized as "a really big improvement by the entire defense."