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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:16 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2009

NFL: Saints announce rookie free agents

Associated Press

METAIRIE, La. — Former UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan and Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill were among 10 undrafted rookies officially added Monday to the New Orleans Saints' roster.

The new players will join the Saints' four draft picks at the team's rookie camp. They are scheduled to report Thursday evening and practice Friday through Sunday.

The other rookie free-agents signed by the Saints are Wisconsin linebacker Jonathan Casillas, Texas offensive guard Cedric Dockery, Stanford center Alex Fletcher, Clark-Atlanta offensive tackle Sam McNaulty; Texas A&M cornerback Danny Gorrer, Portland State cornerback Reggie Jones, Georgia wide receiver Kenneth Harris and Mississippi defensive end Jermey Parnell.

Cowan was a two-year starter for the Bruins, but missed his senior season because of torn knee ligaments. He played in 19 games, 13 of them starts. He was 217-of-411 passing for 2,478 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He becomes the fourth quarterback on the Saints' roster, behind veterans Drew Brees, Mark Brunell and Joey Harrington.

Hill, who is 5-foot-11, 236 pounds, gives the Saints another candidate for a power, short-yardage runner next season, something New Orleans is looking for after the departure of veteran running back Deuce McAllister. During the draft, the Saints attempted to make a trade that would have allowed New Orleans to take Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells late in the first round. There were no takers, however, and New Orleans ended up drafted three defensive players and a punter.

Hill rushed for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. In 37 career games he had 3,942 yards rushing on 770 carries — a 5.1-yard average — and scored 42 touchdowns. Hill also caught 39 passes for 358 yards and two TDs in his career. Twice, he rushed for more than 200 yards in a game.

Casillas, 6-2, 226, was a three-year starter at Wisconsin. He was credited with 251 career tackles, including 28 tackles for losses and four sacks. He also had two interceptions, four forced fumbles, recovered two fumbles and blocked three punts, one of which he recovered for a touchdown.

Gorrer played in 42 games at Texas A&M, starting 24. A knee injury sidelined him during part of his junior season. He finished his career with 141 tackles, including two sacks. He also had an interception and two forced fumbles.

Dockery, 6-4, 315, was a three-year starter at right guard for the Longhorns.

Fletcher, 6-3, 296, was a four-year starter at Stanford, playing 20 games at right guard and 24 at center. He was named second-team all-Pac 10 in his junior and senior seasons.

Harris, 6-3, 212, played in 50 games at Georgia, including five starts. As a senior, he had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Jones played one season at Portland State after transferring from Idaho, where he was often sidelined by injuries. He made 38 tackles last season and intercepted four passes, returning one for a score.

McNaulty, 6-4, 320, was a finalist for Division II offensive lineman of the year last season at Clark-Atlanta. With his help, Clark was third in rushing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

During the NFL draft on April 25-26, the Saints drafted Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest linebacker Stanley Arnoux and Southern Methodist punter Thomas Morstead.