Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

Branch is getting cut today. I don't have a link.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut
 

I know a lot of people root for him, but it's no biggie if we cut him. We have plenty of depth. I wish him the best and hopefully he'll catch on somewhere.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut
 

It really isnt a big deal as for the sake of the team. I just really liked the guy.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut
 

Odd man out, they have to deal with Pittman, Thomas and Dudley too.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut
 

I would rather see Dudley go

Cuts to 75
 

Branch, J.Jones, Hanson
No surprises

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

New Orleans Saints - 404

Saints Trim Roster to 75

Doug Miller, NewOrleansSaints.com
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 3:20 PM



The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have reached the NFL-mandated roster size of 75 players. The Black-and-Gold parted ways with P Chris Hanson, RB Jamaal Branch and WR Jamal Jones.

The Saints needed to trim their roster by three players by 3:00 p.m. CT and will need to reach the NFL roster size limit of 53 players by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 1.

The biggest name of the three cuts today was Hanson, who was signed by the Saints as a free agent on May 7, 2007. The product of Marshall was with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2001-2006 and is a veteran of 86 regular season games. He owns a career punting average of 42.9 and a net average of 35.9. Hanson, who battled incumbent Steve Weatherford for the punting job, had five punts for a 40.6 average and 39.2 net average in preseason action this preseason.

Hanson, a a vested veteran, had his contract terminated by the club, while Branch and Jones were each waived, which means that they have 24 hours to be claimed by another NFL team before being reaching free agent status.

Branch, a 5-11, 230-pound running back out of Colgate, was a first year player that originally signed by the Saints as a free agent on January 1, 2006. Branch was then assigned to NFL Europe where he spent the 2006 spring before returning to the Saints. In 2006 Branch spent the majority of the season on the practice squad before being activated to the active roster prior to the season finale against the Carolina Panthers. Brach score his first career touchdown on a reception against the Panthers in that game and added 10 rushes for 29 yards. This preseason Branch had two receptions for 23 yards.

Jones, 5-11, 205-pounds, earned a roster spot with the Saints last season and went on to appear in 12 regular season games, and made one start. While recording just one reception for six yards, Jones made a larger contribution on special teams, where he had six kickoff returns for a 21.7 average. Jones had three receptions for 24 yards this preseason.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

the next 22 is gonna be interesting..............

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

• Word out of New Orleans is CB Fred Thomas, who is entering his 12th season, might have a tough time making the Saints' opening-day roster. Thomas has already lost his starting spot to ex-Colt Jason David, and Jason Craft beat him out for the nickel CB job.

That taken from Pro Football Weekly.

Taken from the ESPN Arkush chat.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

c'mon, a reach? He was on everybody's board just as high, if not higher

he is in a perfect system to learn and develop slowly

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

It's not like the Saints need Meachem to contribute immediately. Ginn was a reach. Meachem was not. He was the second wideout on most teams' boards.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

I'm noy surprised by these cuts. With Jamal Jones and Branch both gone, it gives my boy Pierre Thomas more of a chance to make it either as backup RB or special teams. Don't get me wrong I liked both of these guys but with Jones hurt all the time this training camp, I didn't think he had much of a chance. As far as Branch goes, he was my favorite last year coming out of training camp but I think he got caught up in the shuffle. He would have had to be spectacular this year. Just to much competition.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

I really believe P Thomas and Lance Moore make the team and these cuts could be a glimpse into that happening..

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

Didn't Jamal Jones have a TD reception against the Cowgirls last year? Article above said he had only 1 recp. for 6 yds.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

Article might have meant preseason...he did have a TD against Dallas last year. He had 6 receptions for 108 yards with the one TD last year

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

New Orleans Saints - Saints Trim Roster to 75

Jamal Jones will make for a good WR someday for a team, I hope that the Saints could have held on to him, I really like him.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

I was hoping the Saints could trade a RB, now it's looking doubtful. I think Branch is going to catch on with another team. As for Jamal Jones, very good potential. Another guy caught up in the numbers game. Honestly, I did not like some of the things he did last year. One thing that sticks out is he has a bad habit of not using his full effort to catch a difficult pass. Maybe he is a little afraid to stick his body out. I am not saying that is the case, but at times it sure looked like it. If still available for practice squad, I would not have an issue with the Saints further developing him. Like I said, very good potential.

As for Lance Moore, he may have earned a roster spot with his WR ability. He definitely is not going to earn it as a returner, just yet. Since he did have a great preseason at WR, I think that will be enough to earn him to open the season as a returner, with the hope of getting better each week. If anyone would have asked me a couple weeks ago, I would have said he would get cut. I now see him competing for time on offense.

It's going to be real interesting to see who makes the final cut at RB/FB. We already know of four guarantees, that is McAllister, Bush, Karney, and Pittman. If the Saints keep 5 guys, which I think they will, it will be close between Stecker, Thomas, and Dudley. Stecker is probably the guy who makes it. One thing that could help Dudley's cause is the number of TE's the Saints decide to keep. Thomas could get in on an injury to someone or someone like Stecker or Pittman getting traded, which would be a very remote possibility in all scenarios.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

I really Like Branch. I hope he can find his way to a team that can use him. He is in his prime - and should be on a team. Good Luck.

Re: Jamaal Branch Cut (cuts down to 75)
 

Trade a RB? Who were we going to trade? Besides Deuce, Bush, and Karney, none of those other guys have any value. Considering somebody like Randy Moss went for a fourth round pick, you think anybody would give up a draft pick for an Aaron Stecker? Jamaal Branch? Pierre Thomas? No way. I liked Branch, I thought he looked real good last preseason, but guys like that come around so often, that the team isn't going to be losing anything special. I hope he catches on somewhere.