Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
Doug Miller, NewOrleansSaints.com
Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 3:38 PM

The New Orleans Saints have signed seven players to their practice squad, it was announced by Head Coach Sean Payton following today’s practice.

The players signed were guard Tim Duckworth, fullback Kevin Dudley, defensive end Willie Evans, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, quarterback Tyler Palko, cornerback Anwar Phillips and safety Chris Reis.

Below is a brief thumbnail of each player:

Duckworth is a rookie out of Auburn who signed with New Orleans just before the opening of the preseason. The 24-year-old guard saw action on offense and on special teams during the team’s summer slate.

Dudley first came to the Saints as a practice squad signee during the 2006 postseason after previously spending time with the Atlanta Falcons. The fullback from the University of Michigan had a productive preseason for the Saints, carrying the ball five times for 15 yards and catching eight passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Evans signed with Saints in January and was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europa. The former Mississippi State defensive end made eight tackles in the preseason, including three sacks against Miami in the preseason finale.

Mitchell was the selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the NFL Draft this spring after playing collegiately at the University of Tennessee. The rookie linebacker played in all five preseason games and recorded nine tackles on defense and another on special teams.

Palko was a rookie free agent signee out of the University of Pittsburgh. The left-handed passer saw extensive playing time in three games this preseason, completing 27 of 48 passes for 271 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. He also showed some play-making ability, gaining 59 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Phillips was in training camp with the Saints for the second time in 2007. The former Penn State defensive back first came to New Orleans as an undrafted free agent a year ago and spent the 2006 season on the team’s practice squad. He played in all five games this preseason, recording three tackles and a pass defense.

Reis signed with the club as a free agent in January and was allocated to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa, where he earned all-league honors. The former Georgia Tech defensive back tallied 13 tackles in preseason action and picked off two passes against Miami in the finale.

NOTES: RB Antonio Pittman, who was waived yesterday, was claimed off of waivers by the St. Louis Rams … RB Jamaal Branch was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to their practice squad, and CB David Jones was claimed off of waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.

New Orleans Saints - Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad

I do not know about you guys but I am more than a bit disappointed in the loyalty shown to more than 1 player on the list. With all the FA out there we made no moves at all. I was hoping for at least two new faces. Explain to me the logic. Camp and the system does not cut it for the PS. x(
All can do is hope for something to happen more positive to happen soon. Maybe there are a few hold outs out there.

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

The coaching staff knew who they wanted. It takes a long time for someone just walking in to become familiar with the Saints and their system. I like Dudley, Evans, Reis. Palko and Phillips. My first thought was damn we got talent on the practice squad. Dudley is a killer and Palko will develop into the backup for next year.

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

Duckworth and Phillips surprise me as well! The others were, IMHO, almost a given.

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

I don't see anything wrong with the practice squad. Who are you disappointed in? Of course i'm still in a bit of shock with Fred Thomas still being on the roster, but maybe he was hurt last year when he was being beat like a drum. It does seem like I remember that being said at one time last year. Something to do with his hip. Oh well. I have to trust in the Saints brain trust. They've done well so far. I guess I can trust them again. I am surprised at Anwar Phillips making it, he was a favorite of mine last year but I didn't think he did to much in preseason.

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

agreed

and how about Palko's loyalty? First Payton calls him during the draft and says, "we're not drafting you, but want you to sign with us." Now he gets cut and signed to the PS. He's got heart- I hope he ends up on the active roster at some point and gets some mop up time. If we are up by 30, I'd rather see him than Martin

Anybody know the exact rules of the PS? Can these guys be activated at any time? If a team tries to sign them, do we get a chance to match?

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

Here is a link to the Collective Bargining Agreement as it pertains to Practice Squads.

http://www.nflpa.org/cba/cba_pdf/Art...ice_Squads.pdf

It is in PDF form and I could not copy it.

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

First question you need to ask yourself...
Will Jones or Pittman ever come back to hurt us?

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

Mitchell and Phillips. i think we could have done better. followed by Duckworth

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

I don't think Jones or Pittman will hurt us. Pittman went to the Rams, now has to play behind one of the premier backs in the NFL and a second rounder in Brian Leonard. Plus, if he does play, Bulger better watch out.

Jones signed with Cincinatti and is a project, but not someone this staff was willing to wait on with a spot on the 53 man roster. I still don't understand why we kept 4 tight ends

Re: Saints Sign Seven to Practice Squad
 

4 tight-ends is a bit puzzling.
I didn't watch Jones in the pre-season but from what I read he was playing well in practices.

I am eager to see what becomes of Reis. I'm very happy that he made the Saints PS.

Dudley too. He looked like a madman in the games I was able too see. I wish he was one of the four tight-ends.