Saints Coach Defends Signing Of Wyoming DE Carl Granderson

Carl Granderson is the most controversial undrafted free agent in the NFL. After signing the embattled former Wyoming defensive end, who faces sexual assault and battery charges in Laramie this summer, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the issue at a press conference on Friday.

"We felt real comfortable with everything we knew, and so far he’s done a good job here," Payton told reporters following the second day of Saints rookie minicamp.

New Orleans felt comfortable enough with Granderson to give him a guaranteed contract worth $70,000, along with a $15,000 signing bonus, the richest deal they've ever offered an undrafted free agent.

Granderson pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual battery and another count of third-degree sexual assault following an incident in November where two women alleged he inappropriately touched them without their consent.

Granderson's trial is scheduled to begin at the Albany County District Court on July 15th, just ten days before Saints players report to training camp. If convicted on both charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.