If there were any doubts as to who is running the football operations of the New Orleans Saints, there is no doubt anymore. Coach Mike Ditka grabbed the team by the throat in the '97 draft.

Ditka went after players with "good character,'' beginning with Colorado guard Chris Naeole at No. 10 in the first round. A reach? Perhaps. But if Naeole fulfills the expectations that come with being a No. 1 pick, who cares?

In several cases, Ditka bypassed, arguably, better players (Miami strong safety Tremain Mack and Washington running back Corey Dillon) and selected better citizens (Ohio State free safety Rob Kelly and Iowa State running back Troy Davis). Time will tell on those decisions.

Give Ditka an "A'' for effort in trying to create competition for incumbent quarterback Jim Everett. He traded for Heath Shuler on Thursday and drafted Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel.

It's hard for fans to get excited when a team that performed miserably in '96 spends its first three picks on a guard (Naeole), safety (Kelly) and defensive end (Nebraska's Jared Tomich).

It ain't necessarily going to sell tickets but if anybody can get away with it, Ditka can.

ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS

Round 1/10 -- Chris Naeole, OG, Colorado

Seemingly a perfect fit for the Saints based on Ditka's plans to emphasize pulling and trapping with the offensive line. A consensus All-America at right guard, Naeole was regarded as one of the nation's best trap blockers. Excellent speed (5.16 seconds for the 40) and upper body power. Moves well in space, but is also capable of overpowering defensive lineman. Fires out well at linebackers. As a senior, allowed no sacks in 760 plays and had 16 blocks that resulted in a touchdown. Four-year starter. Earned Outstanding Offensive Player Award for Colorado, whose offense also included WR Rae Carruth, a No. 1 pick by Carolina. Native of Hawaii, who still resides on the island of Oahu. Extremely intelligent; scored 29 (out of 36) on NFL IQ test.

Round 2/33 -- Rob Kelly, FS, Ohio State

A hard-hitter with aggressive and relentless style of play. Willingly sacrifices his body. Had two interceptions in the Senior Bowl. Was a leader of Ohio State's "Silver Bullets'' defense. Great ball reaction skills and very fluid coming out of his backpedal. Runs 40 in 4.58 seconds. Second-rated safety in the draft behind Miami's Tremain Mack. Has the quickness to stay with receivers on deep routes and equally effective attacking the line of scrimmage in run support. Two-year starter at free safety for the Rose Bowl champions. All-Big Ten first-team selection as a senior with 66 tackles (37 solos), two sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Vertical leap of 30 1/2 inches. First safety drafted. Rated as a high second-round pick. He should compete with Je'Rod Cherry, a No. 2 pick in '96, for a starting job.

Round 2/39 -- Jared Tomich, DE, Nebraska

Superb pass-rush ability and a player with high intensity. Quick feet and explosive burst coming off the ball. Disruptive closer who uses his hands effectively to get a strong push off blockers. Will be tried at left end in a move the coaching staff hopes will allow Darren Mickell to move inside to tackle. Currently weighs 265; has body to reach 270. Recently timed at 4.83 seconds in the 40. Totaled 17 career sacks, 16 the last two seasons with five as a senior. Second-team All-America by Associated Press as a senior after earning first-team honors as junior. Two-year starter and three-year letterman after joining Nebraska as a walk-on. Finalist for Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Year Award as a senior. Rated as third-round pick. Will compete for starting job at left end.

Round 3/62 -- Troy Davis, RB, Iowa State

Entered draft as junior and the only back in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Quick, darting runner who shows patience waiting for holes to develop. Does a great job slipping through tackles and driving forward. Elusive in tight quarters, good at maintaining balance as he takes on defenders running up the middle. Needs work as a receiver. Recently timed at 4.54 seconds in the 40. Two-time consensus All-America. Carried 402 times for 2,185 yards, 21 touchdowns as a junior in 1996. Big Eight Player of the Year as a junior with 345 carries for 2,010 yards, 15 TDs. First sophomore in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in first five games. Owns school-record 378 rushing yards on 35 carries with four TDs vs. Missouri in 1996. Will return kicks and compete for a starting job against incumbents Mario Bates and Ray Zellars.

Round 4/99 -- Danny Wuerffel, QB, Florida

Heisman Trophy winner. Led Florida to first national title with a 12-1 record and victory over then top-ranked Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Great productivity, courage. Good decision-maker who gets the ball to the right receiver. Student of the game who played in pro-style passing game. Negatives are lack of arm strength, which keeps him from driving ball down field, awkward unconventional delivery and lack of mobility. Still passed for 10,875 yards, 114 touchdowns against 42 interceptions in four seasons, most of them as a starter, for coach Steve Spurrier. Passed for 74 TDs, 23 interceptions in final two seasons. Throws extremely catchable ball and corner, fade routes exceptionally well. Seldom gets flustered. Possesses rare mental, physical toughness. Best suited for a team playing in a domed stadium or using a West Coast offense. Runs 40 in 4.87 seconds. Originally rated as fourth-round prospect. Third-string QB Doug Nussmeier ought to be thinking about his future outside of New Orleans.

Round 4/116 -- Keith Poole, WR, Arizona State

Go-to guy for Jake Plummer on 11-1 Sun Devil team that finished No. 4 in national rankings. Outstanding receiver with sure hands and toughness to catch the ball over the middle. Runs the 40 in respectable 4.58 seconds. Graceful runner with superb body control. Also uses body well to shield defender from the ball. Runs refined patterns with long strides that provide a sharp burst of separation. Elusive after the catch and capable of making the acrobatic play. Caught passes in final 33 games as a collegian; 140 career receptions for 2,691 yards, 19.3-yard average. His 25 scoring catches tied for school record. Three-year starter and first-team All-Pacific 10 selection as senior, junior. Caught 46 passes for 857 yards, 11 TDs as senior. Also carried four times for 134 yards, a 34.3-yard average, and a score. May struggle to break free of man coverage at times. Held to one reception in Rose Bowl by Ohio State corner Shawn Springs, the third player taken in the draft. Joins a motley crew that consists of Michael Haynes, Torrance Small, Lee DeRamus, Haywood Jeffries, Mercury Morris and Terry Guess.

Round 6/165 -- Nicky Savoie, TE, LSU

Native of Cut Off, La., same hometown as ex-Saint QB Bobby Hebert. Has played tight end for just two seasons. Former QB at Gulf Coast Junior College and South Lafourche High School. Good size and size potential. May be able to carry 270 pounds. Good all-around athlete; smooth, fluid and particularly effective on crossing routes and when sent in motion. Athletic pass catcher and dominant drive blocker. Makes tough adjustment catches in traffic look easy. Negatives: hot-and-cold player who sometimes underachieves. Needs to improve footwork. Recently timed in 40 at 4.99 seconds. Originally projected as fifth-round pick. Career totals: 22 receptions, 270 yards, three TDs, catching 15 passes for 209 yards and no TDs as senior for 10-2 LSU team. Add him to the traffic jam at TE with Irv Smith, Tony Johnson, Paul Green and Hank Lusk.