. And while everyone has their metaphorical hurdles http://www.authenticsneworleanssaints.com/cheap-wil-lutz-jersey , former New Orleans Saints first round draft choice Alex Molden has cleared some tough ones. Similar adversity with other people has ruined lives, but American novelist James Lane Allen said it best when he said, “Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.”Life of a Saint: Alex MoldenAthletically, Alex Molden figured out that he was gifted at an early age. But that first eye-opening moment didn’t happen on a football field in his native Detroit, but rather a track meet in at an Army base in Germany. “We were at an open track meet. I must have been eight or nine. I remember doing really well at the sprints. I think I won all the races I was in. I did really well at long jump also. But the big thing was the high jump. I remember doing that, and more and more people started coming over and watching. They were cheering me on. I don’t remember how high I jumped, but I just remember feeling like. ‘man, nobody’s even coming close’. That was my first inkling”, Molden recalled.Molden would eventually develop a love of football. He would play pick-up games with friends. But what eventually enticed him to play organized football? You could almost hear the smile on his face as he recalled, “The guys would bring their helmets and shoulder pads to school because they had practice right after school. I just thought that was so cool. There was something about the camaraderie that they all had that I really wanted. I didn’t even watch them play. I just knew they had helmets and shoulder pads.” Early Obstacles for MoldenAfter missing the opportunity to attend try-outs in the seventh grade due to attending his grandmother’s funeral, Molden would eventually be ready for football a year later. His parents’ divorce and a limited income forced Molden away from a costly pop warner league and onto a free Boys and Girls Club team. “We had one coach. One. He was the head coach, the defensive coordinator, the offensive coordinator. Of course, we lost every game, but I had so much fun. That didn’t deter me. I didn’t care about wins or losses. I just wanted to play.”Molden Heads to OregonAfter a standout high school career in Colorado, Alex Molden decided to play for the Oregon Ducks. And not unlike other milestones in his life, the decision to head west was birthed in the wake of adversity. Molden shared, “At the time, my mother had remarried. She was in an abusive relationship. There were a couple times that me and my step-dad got into it; fist fights. It happened a couple times. I had a restraining order put on me.” Molden continued, “At the time, Colorado was recruiting me too. If I went there, I would be up in Boulder. If I got a phone call that something happened to my mom, I would be racing home with fire in my eyes. I just didn’t want to deal with that, to have that on my mind. I needed to get out of state.” Molden went on to mention that while he would have loved to play for Colorado, it wasn’t in his best interest.Also playing a major role in that decision was the recruiting process of Oregon. The combination of being very genuine, honest and personal staff tipped the scales in the Ducks favor.Adversity Finds Molden on the FieldAfter redshirting in 1991, Alex Molden began playing in 1992 with the Ducks. The season ended in the Independence Bowl versus Wake Forest. In that game, Molden would end up suffering a devastating knee injury, tearing his anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments. “It was a very scary situation for me when it happened. I just thought I would never bounce back from it (at the time)”, Molden recalled. After waiting a couple weeks for the swelling to subside, Molden headed into surgery. He still remembers his interaction with his doctor prior to going under the knife. “I asked the doctor, ‘Will I be the same? Will I be able to run again and jump high?’ He said, ‘Alex, you’re gonna come back better.’” Molden knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but not much in his life ever was. Molden added, “I didn’t question anything. I didn’t ask why or how. Just the way he answered me, that’s all I needed to hear.”After a nine-month hiatus from football, Molden fought his way back to the field. Molden said, “It was a devastating injury, but it was a blessing in disguise. I worked with Coach Jim Radcliffe an hour a day for eight months. He taught me how to run efficiently. He taught me how to cut. He taught me how to jump. We didn’t do any skill work. We did a ton of performance work to get me back and better than I was before.” Molden credits Coach Radcliffe as being the most important person in his pursuit to play in the NFL. Molden also mentioned the major contributions of Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti.Molden Drafted by New OrleansAlex Molden was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints (11th overall). As he got the invite to New York to attend the draft, he couldn’t help but think of watching the draft when he was younger, seeing his heroes like Steve Atwater http://www.authenticsneworleanssaints.com/cheap-terron-armstead-jersey , Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders take the stage with his new jersey and cap. The idea of providing for his family was also front of mind for Molden. Surprising to Molden was how long those first 11 picks took. “Each pick is 15 minutes. Going 11th, I was into hour three”. Molden stated. He continued, “Another thing I remember is that I was just as surprised as the rest of America when I got picked. I didn’t get a phone call. I didn’t get anything. I was shocked.” Molden assumed he’d get picked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 12. His hope was to get picked by his local Denver Broncos at 15. After getting through the draft, Molden got back to his hotel and had a chance to reflect on the evening. He then turned on the television and laughed as the draft was still going on.Alex Molden in the NFLMolden would end up playing five years in New Orleans before heading to the San Diego Chargers for two seasons and finishing his career with a year as a Detroit Lion. With eight years in the NFL, Molden had his share of standout moments. His favorite? Molden quickly answered, “When we went to the playoffs (in New Orleans). It was so memorable how the city was on top of the world when we beat the Rams.” Molden went on to describe how special the 2000 Saints season was, winning the franchise’s first ever playoff game. While he has some cherished memories playing in the NFL, things weren’t always great. Molden went on to describe the turmoil many professional athletes endure. Molden reflected, “My fourth year, I ended up in Mike Ditka’s doghouse. I went to him and he didn’t give me a straight answer why.” Molden had obvious frustration in his voice. He continued to speak of the obstacles in the NFL. “My fifth year I had my best camp. Then I had (groin) surgery, right before the first game. I ended up missing the first game. That week, we played Detroit. Detroit had their backup quarterback and we held them to like 100 yards passing. I’m expecting that in week two I get my starting job back. Coaches said, ‘Oh Alex, we’re gonna stick with Kevin Mathis’. I was shocked. I was blown away. That’s when I understood the politics of everything.” The slight motivated Molden and ultimately had him playing the best football of his life as a result.The Competition – Who Was the Best?Reflecting on the competition he faced, Molden said, “The first time I took the field, I’m one-on-one with Jerry Rice. I’m like, ‘Come on, man’”. The timing of Molden’s career (1996-2003) was a golden age at wide receiver. Names like the aforementioned Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Tim Brown and so many others graced the field during Molden’s career. So, who was the toughest guy to guard? The answer for Molden was easy. “I think what stands out with a guy is having it all. Being quick, fast, able to catch the ball in traffic, can bounce up from a hit and is physical. A lot of them are not physical. T.O. (Terrell Owens) was probably my toughest. He added the element of being able to push you out of the way anytime he wanted. He can box you out with his physicality or go deep and had the speed and size to do it. And he loved contact from safeties. I remember Isaac Bruce coming across the middle and thinking twice about Sammy Knight tattooing him. T.O. didn’t care about that. I have a ton of respect for him and his approach to the game,” Molden added.Games Outside the GamesMolden also spoke on what an honor it was to be on the same field as players like Dan Marino, Barry Sanders and hometown legend, John Elway. After all, these were the guys he used when he played the Madden video games.And speaking of video games, Molden described what it was like when he first got to use himself on Madden. Molden laughed as he stated, “I have kids. I should get it for them. At least let them know that back in the day, your daddy was pretty cool and he was actually in the video games. I thought it was cool until I started playing it, especially toward the end of my career. I was like, ‘Man, why am I so slow? Or I get in on a couple tackles and get hurt. That put a damper on it.”After Life in the NFLWhen he’s not working on football with his college age sons Isaiah (senior) and Elijah (sophomore), Alex Molden keeps very busy. Not unlike his NFL career, Molden is attacking life and going 100% in all his post-NFL ventures. Molden has spent over a decade as a performance trainer for Nike, passing along some of those lessons learned from Coach Radcliffe all those years ago.Molden remembers the impact Radcliffe made and wants to do the same for other athletes. You can find out more information about his work at www.alexmoldentraining.net.Molden also does motivational speaking for the corporate world. He often speaks about team building, company culture, positive and negative leadership and, of course, working through adversity – a topic he has perfected throughout the course of his life. For more information on this Color Rush DeMario Davis Jersey , visit alexmoldenspeaks.com.Weekend Content: predicting the opening day 53-man roster The New Orleans Saints are looking to field a balanced roster in 2018, and that’s what I’ve come up with:this way-too-early 53-man roster projection carries 25 players on offense, 25 on defense, and the obligatory three on special teams.It also has nine players over the 30-years old threshold, and nine rookies - but just six of their seven draftees.I didn’t plan on finding such great symmetry, that’s just how it shook out.Honestly.You can find earlier entries in my carnival barker-style Weekend Content series (or #WeekendContent, if you’re especially daring) by following these links:Weekend Content 5/5:2019 Saints mock draft: four rounds of funWeekend Content 5/12:Tracking Saints rookie jersey numbers (since-obsolete)Weekend Content 5/19:Power ranking the Saints rookie classSo here’s the list.I’ll be taking my nine-year old on her first trip to Disney World by the time this hits publication, so leave your hottest takes for me to get to when I check in next Wedneday.Don’t disappoint me:Quarterbacks (3):Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, J.T. BarrettDrew Brees is king, but the Saints have some interesting pieces for consideration down the road in Hill and Barrett.Tom Savage is just a speed bump for Hill to overcome in training camp.Running backs (4):Alvin Kamara, Boston Scott, Jonathan Williams, Trey EdmundsMark Ingram is banished to the Suspended list, so the Saints have a month for Williams and Edmunds to audition for long-term work.I like Williams’ chances better - 41 of Edmunds’ 48 yards came on one game-ending play, and he lost ground or gained none on four of his nine attempts.Tight ends and fullbacks (4):Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill, Deon Yelder, Zach LineIt’s no secret that the Saints need a pass-catching tight end, and Yelder presents that option.Watson and Hill can do enough as blockers to make Michael Hoomanawanui obsolete, but all three of them are just a year removed from season-ending injuries in 2016.Ryan Yurachek is an interesting undrafted free agent, but Zach Line played well enough to hold onto the job.Wide receivers (5):Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr, Cameron Meredith, Tre’Quan Smith, Brandon ColemanColeman has pretty weak job security though his resume is stronger than the guys competing with him.Travin Dural, Paul Turner, Tommylee Lewis, and Austin Carr each have a shot at dethroning his spot at the bottom of the depth chart.I imagine the Saints would love for any of them to prove too good to cut.Offensive tackles (4):Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Jermon Bushrod, Rick LeonardReturning Bushrod isn’t as inspiring as keeping Senio Kelemete would have been, but it’ll do.He’s an adequate reserve tackle-guard who can fill in pretty much anywhere.I don’t expect Leonard plays in 2018.Michael Ola is a name to watch for the Saints to re-sign after Week 1, protecting his salary from a year’s guarantee and saving some pennies against the salary cap.Offensive guards and centers (5):Andrus Peat, Larry Warford, Max Unger, Cameron Tom, Will ClappGet on board the Cameron Tom hype train while you can.The Saints have a few veterans who could displace him or Will Clapp - Josh LeRibeus, John Fullington, and Andrew Tiller lead the pack - but I’m buying into Zach Strief’s endorsement of Tom’s talents.Edge defenders (6):Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Alex Okafor, Mitchell Loewen, Trey Hendrickson Youth Marshon Lattimore Jersey , Al-Quadin MuhammadThis position group features the toughest roster cuts on the team, and I’m not sure I made the right ones.Hau’oli Kikaha could stick around (or even move to strongside linebacker), while Loewen may not be the same after his early-season ankle injury.Muhammad looked like a sky-high talent in the preseason but there’s even more competition here now.That’s what you want to see.Defensive tackles (4):Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, Tyeler Davison, Henry MondeauxThe top three guys present a solid, but not yet great rotation.Rankins and Onyemata seem prepped for a huge third year.I like Mondeaux’s upside as a reserve interior pass rusher (he had 37 total pressures last year, including 6 sacks - tied for fifth-most in the draft class), though he probably won’t see the field much as a rookie.Inside linebackers (2):Demario Davis, Manti Te’oThe Saints usually go with two linebackers designated as signal-callers in the middle; last year, that was A.J. Klein and Manti Te’o.Previously it was James Laurinaitis and Michael Mauti.Te’o proved his worth in limited reps last year and should flourish in that role again, but Davis looks to command the defense moving forward.Outside linebackers (3):A.J. Klein, Alex Anzalone, Craig RobertsonKlein played better for the Carolina Panthers as an on-the-line strongside linebacker than filling in for Luke Kuechly in the middle, so the Saints probably go that route.But it’s a position they rarely use, so if he goes down to injury they can just play the more-natural two-linebacker sets with Anzalone or Robertson on the weakside.Safeties (4):Marcus Williams, Kurt Coleman, Vonn Bell, Chris BanjoThis group is pretty well set, though we could see some flexible designations on safety versus cornerback.Coleman and Bell should compete for the starting title, but they’ll both play often given Coleman’s skills as more of a deep-fielder and Bell’s success as a Roman Harper-style blitzer.Cornerbacks (6):Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley, Patrick Robinson, P.J. Williams, Justin Hardee, Natrell JamersonThis position is arguably the strength of the defense.Lattimore is one of the three or five best cornerbacks playing football right now, at any level.Crawley is a solid sidekick (though penalty-prone) and Robinson finished the season as an elite slot defender.I don’t think anyone’s spot is safe after those three.Williams will have to play hard to hold off the likes of Arthur Maulet and De’Vante Harris, while the two third-day draft picks will have to show they offer something their competition doesn’t to stick around.To that end, Jamerson’s position flexibility (he played best at single-high safety for the Wisconsin Badgers) stands out, though the Saints initially see him as an outside corner.I have a tough time fitting Kamrin Moore onto the roster.Special teams (3):Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Zach WoodZach Wood should hold his own against a challenger in A.J. Hantak, but last year’s offseason carousel at long snapper means nothing is certain.Morstead looks to continue his streak as one of the best punters in the game, ensuring awful starting position for opponents - among the 29 punters with 60+ attempts, Morstead had the fifth-best rate of downed punts inside the 20-yard line, and the third-fewest touchbacks (two).As for Lutz, he had the eighth-best conversion on both field goals (84.1-percent) and extra points (94-percent), and tied for the fourth-most field goals of 40-plus yards (17).Does any team have a better punter-kicker combination than New Orleans?-So there we go, obviously it’s early but which picks do you disagree with most?Which roster long shots do you think have the best chance at hanging around come September?Also, I’m curious to see how far I can take this barely-useful series.Hit me with your ideas for hard-hitting, amusing content.