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NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

Thursday, August 23, 2007By Jimmy Smith
The Saints must make seven cuts by Tuesday. A quick look at seven players who need to really impress the coaches tonight against the Chiefs:

-- Quarterback Jason Fife. May not get any playing time against Chiefs, and his fate could be sealed. The third quarterback spot is likely going to Tyler Palko.

-- Tight end Ronnie Ghent. The Saints have five tight ends on the roster, but they'll likely keep three. Ghent won't be one of them.

-- Tight end John Owens. See above. Owens might make it to the last cut Sept. 1, but he won't make the 53.

-- Running back Jamaal Branch. He has been taking reps at fullback, and there's a crowd at tailback. An early cut could give him time to catch on elsewhere.

-- Cornerback Fred Thomas. He has done all he could to make the roster, but it won't be enough. The Saints could do him a favor with an early release so he could find another team.

-- Center Brian Ferentz. A camp body when he joined the club, Ferentz is no longer needed now that Jeff Faine is back at work.

-- WR Derrick Doyle. Another player caught up in numbers at the position. With one exhibition remaining after this, there's no need for extra receivers.

Turbo Saint

just as i was starting to give him more credit...hmmm guess he hasn't done all that much in camp. i really hope david is progressing. ugh, why must our secondary be so sketchy :\

lumm0x

While I am happy that there was offseason evidence that the coaching staff recognized this weak point in the defense and tried to address it with additions such as David and via the draft, the free agent idiocy handcuffed us. Contracts such as Nate Clements, and the asking price Denver wanted for Dre Bly simply did not make it realistic to do more than go to plan B. Unfortunately we may be stuck with what we have and hope to make the best of it.

ScottF

5 of the cuts are pretty easy. Fife was dropped and picked up again last year, might happen again. I doubt anyone else will sign a 26 year old with zero playing experience.

I'm no Thomas fan, but him getting cut now would surprise me. It would also make me feel better about how the coaches feel about Young, and whichever other rook latches on.

What does everyone think aboy J.Jones and Craft? I thought they might be next.

blacksaint

Ol' Freddie will make the team, definitely not a starter but as a valuable nickle or dime back.

BlueDevil1978

I can't see Freddy Toast Thomas getting cut - Payton will keep him on the final roster as the dime or nickel back, not the starter. He might be more effective that way (he ran out of steam as a starter last year).

Jamaal Jones is running out of time fast - he didn't dress out tonight (not a good sign). Craft is on the final roster (need corners with experience) - he had an interception tonight to help his cause.

saintsrule

If they think the other CBs are better, then they will cut him. I think they will do what they think is best for the team.

dwiley21

j jones will be gone, meachem and moore have sealed that fate. Freddy t will depend on how the young guys are picking up the system and developing.

gandhi1007

Praise the lord! Fred Thomas may finally be gone. Never underestimate the power of prayer! Seriously....the play of Craft, Jones, & Young will make Freddie Thomas the odd man out in the secondary.

Tobias-Reiper

Nah... keep praying. Ol' Freddie ain't going nowhere.
He's like herpes. Can't get rid of that.....