Reports circulated Thursday that the New Orleans Saints were making a push to sign free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Saints coach Sean Payton was asked about those reports Friday and told members of the media he wouldn't comment on a specific player, but the team is always looking for players who can help the roster.
"Every year during the course of training camp you are always looking not only internally but externally, and if you feel like there’s a player that fits the vision and fits a role for your team," Payton said. "We’ve done that throughout our time here. I think going back to '06. We brought in (Mark) Simoneau right before the start of the season in a trade, and the same way with Scott Shanle." "We’ll look closely at what options we have and it would be only with the right fit. Specifically, I won’t comment relative to just one player, but that’s something I think every club is paying attention to throughout the preseason."
Clowney, the top overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, became a free agent after spending last season with the Seattle Seahawks where he logged three sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception.
He spent the previous five seasons in Houston and was selected to three Pro Bowls after he logged 29 sacks.
"We could use any great players and to use him that’d be perfect," Swearinger said. "But we’ll see. Hopefully, he does (sign), but whatever he has going on, we’ll let the chips fall where they may."