On The Bubble
 

ON THE BUBBLE


Thursday, August 30, 2007 By Jimmy Smith

The Saints must make 22 cuts by Saturday to reach the league limit of 53 players. Here's a look at 22 players who are on the bubble tonight against the Dolphins:
-- WR Tramain Hall. A candidate for the practice squad because of return skills, Hall won't be able to make the roster because of receiver numbers.
-- RB Pierre Thomas. Another candidate for the practice squad, his performance against Chiefs scrubs last week was impressive, but Saints will keep Antonio Pittman ahead of him.
-- CB David Jones. Another practice-squad hopeful, Jones has the athletic ability you're looking for in a corner, but needs more seasoning.
-- DT Rodney Leisle. Has been slowed by his recovery from late offseason shoulder surgery and overshadowed by Antwan Lake.
-- DT McKinley Boykin. There's a numbers crunch at the position, although Boykin has played well enough to distinguish himself.
-- DE Anton Palepoi. A veteran who has bounced back from some early camp struggles to stick around this long.
-- FB Kevin Dudley. The Saints don't have a need for more than one fullback (Mike Karney will start) because tight ends can play the position in this offense.
-- T Rob Petitti. Was on last season's roster, but inactive for all but one game. He'll be pushed out by younger, more promising players.
-- DE Willie Evans. Hasn't shown enough to be considered a candidate despite fact that Rob Ninkovich has missed all of the exhibition season with injury.
-- G Dave Yovanovits. Too many good players in front of him as starters, and the Saints will keep more promising youngster Andy Alleman.
-- DT Brandon Villareal. Touch-and-go for him. He has versatility (also a long snapper), but likely will get caught in numbers crunch.
-- G Tim Duckworth. Brought in as a camp body, Duckworth hasn't shown enough to stick on the final roster.
-- G/T Ben Archibald. Was on the practice squad last season and added the versatility of a second position, but Saints might want to keep rookies Alleman and Jermon Bushrod.
-- TE Ronnie Ghent. The Saints have five tight ends on the roster. They'll likely keep three. Ghent won't be one of them.
-- TE John Owens. See above.
-- CB Fred Thomas. Thomas has done all he could to make the roster, but it won't be enough. Saints could do him a favor with early release so he could find another team.
-- S Curry Burns. Saints won't make mistake of cutting veteran Jay Bellamy this time, and will keep just four safeties.
-- S Chris Reis. See above. Reis could be a practice-squad candidate because he has shown some ability this summer.
-- DE Scott Scharff. Was around last season on practice squad, tore up his knee, cast away, and brought back this summer when ranks were thin. No room on the roster.
-- LB Alfred Fincher. A valuable special teams player, there are just too many good linebackers on the roster.
-- C 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.
-- Compiled by Jimmy Smith

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

nice out line. I am leaning towards a few surprise moves to keep the team moving in the younger direction. We can risk it more than ever before. We are talking depth not starters.

Re: On The Bubble
 

I think that after tonight P Thomas is officially OFF the Budweiser Hotseat!!

Re: On The Bubble
 

Some of those players listed did great in tonights game.