Talk » but hell still be around next year, said Alonso,

METAIRIE, La. -- Hardly two years removed from playing college football on a 12-man defence in western Canada, Akiem Hicks is primed to emerge as a full-time starter on an NFL defensive line. Just dont tell him that, because he wont even admit to being encouraged by the fact that he played with the starting unit in the New Orleans Saints preseason opener and is regularly practicing with the first team. "Not yet, because theres so much more to go," said Hicks said, referencing a metaphor defensive line coach Bill Johnson uses about each day of good work amounting to nothing more than a bean in a jar, which has to be full to represent a good season. "I dont have enough beans to be encouraged yet." Maybe not, but his effort in practice on Tuesday certainly seemed worthy of another bean. He was a force in 11-on-11 drills, registering what would have been a sack on Drew Brees if he were allowed to touch the quarterback. Later, during a 2-minute drill, he had two more standout moments. First he batted down one of Brees passes, then he perfectly read a screen pass to Darren Sproles, who Hicks wrapped up for a 4-yard loss in a 2-minute drill. The 6-foot-5 Hicks, who said he now weighs about 330 pounds, is currently playing the left defensive end in co-ordinator Rob Ryans new 3-4 defence (three linemen, four linebackers). Last year as a rookie, drafted in the third round out of the University of Regina (Saskatchewan), Hicks played reserve defensive tackle in a 4-3, then made the transition this year to what Johnson calls "the most physical position on our defence." It wasnt clear whether Hicks would emerge as a starter when 2013 training camp opened because the Saints had signed 11-year veteran defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman, who had played the past two seasons in Ryans 3-4 defence in Dallas. Last week, however, Coleman tore a pectoral muscle, which has likely ended his season. Third-year pro Tom Johnson also is in the mix to start at that spot, though he has missed more than a week of practice with a hip injury. Johnson conceded that Hicks is in position to win the starting job, but stressed that three weeks of evaluation remained. "Thing Ive said all along about Hicks is that hes raw but he has a lot of versatility," Johnson said. "I thought our scouting people did a great job watching him in Canada to know." Hicks, who grew up near Sacramento, was recruited by LSU out of the community college ranks, but an NCAA violation related to financial help provided by an assistant coach left him ineligible to play in the United States, hence his move to Canada, where he thrived as a stand-up defensive end. "What was hard was to evaluate him versus the people he was against," Johnson said. "It wasnt like if he had went to LSU and stayed. You could evaluate him against guys who would potentially be in this league. It was like guys that were just little kids and he was obviously dominating up there." Big NFL offensive tackles can find him tough to block as well. "Hes a good athlete that weighs (330 pounds) that moves like hes 300 or 290," said Saints right tackle Zach Strief, who has to block Hicks in practice. "Thats something pretty God-given thats pretty hard to find." NOTES: RB Pierre Thomas (left leg), OLB Martez Wilson (left elbow) and OLB Junior Galette (left leg) all returned to practice from injuries, participating to varying degrees. Thomas did the most, taking part in seven-on-seven drills. Wilson participated in a "walk-through" and Galette mostly watched. ... Courtney Roby, a veteran special teams leader and reserve receiver, needed help off the field after apparently hurting his left foot. Payton said Roby had a toe injury. He did not get more specific. ... Jerry Romig, who has been the public address announcer for Saints home games since 1969, and who also handled P.A. announcing for the first four Super Bowls in New Orleans, said his last game on the job will be this Fridays home preseason game against Oakland. Romig, 83, said his voice is fine but back problems have made it tough to get around. His 57-year-old son, Mark, who will take over, said his father wants him to show his own personality. But Mark Romig added, "My mother told me I have to do it just like my father."Fake Jerseys For Sale . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Cheap Jerseys Fast Shipping . 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Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League.ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Jenson Buttons Formula One farewell ended in sad style when he retired early in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday because of a suspension problem.Button has an option to drive for the McLaren team in 2018, but he said before this race that he does not expect to come back.My race was short, but I loved everything else. I was really emotional before I got in the car, Button said. It was such a special atmosphere to have the whole team and all my friends and family cheering me on my way into the garage. Im just glad I was wearing my sunglasses at that moment.He was on lap 13 when some sparks flew off his car and he went straight on and cut over some grass before getting back on track. The British driver appeared to be struggling with a suspension or a steering issue.I dont think weve ever had a failure like this, a despondent Button said as his car limped back into the garage. Im just glad I was able to figure it out before I hit the brakes. Its always been a massive strength of our team that components so rarely fail, but today of all days something did.Button, a hugely popular figure among fans and other drivers alike, stepped out and waved to the crowd one last time befoore being comforted by mechanics and his mother.ddddddddddddIm very content with all Ive achieved in my career, Button said. Now, its done.Button is making way for Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who will partner two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren next year while Button works in an advisory role within the team.Its a shame that Jensons final race came to an early end, but hell still be around next year, said Alonso, who finished the race in 10th place. Hell be a huge asset for us in his new role.The 36-year-old Button won the F1 title against the odds in 2009 for the Brawn team, and has 15 GP victories overall.After competing in his first F1 race at age 20, this race was his 305th GP start, putting him just one behind seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher of Germany.Im holding it together, an emotional Button said before the race when the drivers were paraded around the track.Unfortunately, he did not get the farewell he craved and a mechanical failure denied him one last checkered flag.I live in the moment, though, Button said. Tonights going to be a hell of a lot of fun. ' ' '