The New Orleans Saints added an experienced free agent at defensive tackle on Wednesday. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network first reported that the Saints signed Ziggy Hood, a 32-year old 300-pounder who appeared in a dozen games last year with Washington and the Miami Dolphins.
Hood has appeared in 141 regular-season games since being drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent most of his career. He’s logged 235 tackles, 14 sacks, and 42 quarterback hits while suiting up for five different teams including the Steelers, Dolphins, Washington, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints will be his sixth NFL team.
New Orleans had a vacant spot on their 90-man offseason roster, so there shouldn’t be a corresponding move for Hood’s addition. Starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was designated to the physically unable to play list while recovering from a January Achilles injury, so Hood will immediately give the defensive line room a veteran’s perspective and help round out the rotation during practice.
