Saints DE Smith and Grant will be able to stay active for the whole season

The New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant have the chance to prove their potential ability now, since the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to defer their suspensions this week.

It is also a chance for the Saints to prove that they have been investing in the right players. Both Smith and Grant have underachieved in the past two seasons, because of injuries and inconsistent performances. This season they have become healthier and leaner than they have been in years to welcome a decent season.

New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams encouraged them to slim down and focus on being explosive pass rushers, first and foremost —something Smith and Grant excelled at earlier in their careers, when they both reached double-digit sack totals.

Williams would like to use smith and Grant in his 4-3 and 3-4 alignments. He had been prepared for playing without the two-the Saints have other pass-rushing specialists who will rotate in—like end Bobby McCray and tackle Anthony Hargrove. And now, with the two back with the team, he may be feel more confident that the Saints will be exceptional on defense.