Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters

12-09-2009, 04:00 PM

I liked Waters in the preseason. But, the staff went with the better special teams players in Dunbar and Evans and the young potential of Casillas. They were lucky he was still available. It doesn't hurt to give the yound FB a shot. They may find a gem. With the limited role of the FB on the Saints, it can only be a positive if he makes an impact.

Euphoria · 12-09-2009, 04:06 PM

I think Payton was hoping he would be able to catch and run the ball like we were using our FB but they guy just hasn't panned out.

QBREES9 · 12-09-2009, 04:12 PM

I like the Waters signing. I thought he might have made the team coming out of camp

Euphoria · 12-09-2009, 04:34 PM

Hell I love the fact we are raiding other teams Practice Squads. Lets get them in and see what they got for ourselves.

ravtrav · 12-09-2009, 04:42 PM

I though Eckel was a soild FB. What did he do to get cut?

RaginCajun83 · 12-09-2009, 05:05 PM

He looked lost on special teams

Euphoria · 12-09-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by ravtrav

I though Eckel was a soild FB. What did he do to get cut?

Not really. I don't think he nearly filled the shoes of our FB or fit the mold that Payton was hoping for. He likes the FB that can swing out for passes and be a weapon on offense and he isn't that.

This is a good position for us to take a look at what we have and where we can upgrade as we getting ready for the playoffs.

SaintPauly · 12-09-2009, 05:27 PM

I found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis on Mailei:

The two-time first-team All-Big Sky fullback earned the attention of scouts by blowing up defenders as a blocker and making 58 catches over the past three seasons. His weight room accomplishments transfer to the field, as he is one of the stronger blockers in this year's class. Mailei was an outstanding running back at the same high school that produced NFL standouts defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (Ravens) and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (Eagles), but his lack of speed pushed him to fullback.

Analysis
Positives: A thumper inside who often puts his target to the ground. Stout build throughout his body. Explodes out of a very low stance, and can get to full power even though he lines up a yard closer to the line than most fullbacks. Also goes in motion before the snap to get outside faster. Stays low, and brings his hips and keeps his legs moving when making contact in the hole. Always finds someone to hit. Sustains blocks through the whistle, if needed. Has a good punch and extends his arms to hold off ends in pass protection or linebackers if blocking past the line of scrimmage. Soft hands in the flat and has some open-field agility. Could handle short-yardage running responsibilities.

Negatives: Shorter than scouts prefer for the position. Lacks great speed and is not a fluid runner. Loses balance because he lunges while blocking in space. Does not have the suddenness or hip flexibility to adjust to fast NFL linebackers and safeties. May struggle to make yards after the catch against quicker defenders because of a lack of elusiveness.

found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis:

RaginCajun83 · 12-09-2009, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by saintpaul25

I found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis on Mailei:

The two-time first-team All-Big Sky fullback earned the attention of scouts by blowing up defenders as a blocker and making 58 catches over the past three seasons. His weight room accomplishments transfer to the field, as he is one of the stronger blockers in this year's class. Mailei was an outstanding running back at the same high school that produced NFL standouts defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (Ravens) and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (Eagles), but his lack of speed pushed him to fullback.

Analysis
Positives: A thumper inside who often puts his target to the ground. Stout build throughout his body. Explodes out of a very low stance, and can get to full power even though he lines up a yard closer to the line than most fullbacks. Also goes in motion before the snap to get outside faster. Stays low, and brings his hips and keeps his legs moving when making contact in the hole. Always finds someone to hit. Sustains blocks through the whistle, if needed. Has a good punch and extends his arms to hold off ends in pass protection or linebackers if blocking past the line of scrimmage. Soft hands in the flat and has some open-field agility. Could handle short-yardage running responsibilities.

Negatives: Shorter than scouts prefer for the position. Lacks great speed and is not a fluid runner. Loses balance because he lunges while blocking in space. Does not have the suddenness or hip flexibility to adjust to fast NFL linebackers and safeties. May struggle to make yards after the catch against quicker defenders because of a lack of elusiveness.

found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis:

I'll hold judgment till he sees the field but he sure does sounds a lot like Mike Karney

SaintPauly · 12-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by RaginCajun83

I'll hold judgment till he sees the field but he sure does sounds a lot like Mike Karney

I was thinking the same thing. After getting stuffed on those third, and fourth, and short yardage plays against the Skins, he should at least make things alot more interesting.

12-09-2009, 04:00 PM	#11
Threaded by Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457 Rating: (0 votes - average) I liked Waters in the preseason. But, the staff went with the better special teams players in Dunbar and Evans and the young potential of Casillas. They were lucky he was still available. It doesn't hurt to give the yound FB a shot. They may find a gem. With the limited role of the FB on the Saints, it can only be a positive if he makes an impact.
Views: 4928

12-09-2009, 04:06 PM	#12
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters I think Payton was hoping he would be able to catch and run the ball like we were using our FB but they guy just hasn't panned out.

12-09-2009, 04:12 PM	#13
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters I like the Waters signing. I thought he might have made the team coming out of camp

12-09-2009, 04:34 PM	#14
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters Hell I love the fact we are raiding other teams Practice Squads. Lets get them in and see what they got for ourselves.

12-09-2009, 04:42 PM	#15
ravtrav Rookie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 23	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters I though Eckel was a soild FB. What did he do to get cut?
	Last edited by ravtrav; 12-09-2009 at 05:02 PM..

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12-09-2009, 05:05 PM	#16
RaginCajun83 Hou Saints Fan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 5,050	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters He looked lost on special teams

12-09-2009, 05:18 PM	#17
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters Originally Posted by ravtrav I though Eckel was a soild FB. What did he do to get cut? Not really. I don't think he nearly filled the shoes of our FB or fit the mold that Payton was hoping for. He likes the FB that can swing out for passes and be a weapon on offense and he isn't that. This is a good position for us to take a look at what we have and where we can upgrade as we getting ready for the playoffs.

12-09-2009, 05:27 PM	#18
SaintPauly Senior Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters I found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis on Mailei: The two-time first-team All-Big Sky fullback earned the attention of scouts by blowing up defenders as a blocker and making 58 catches over the past three seasons. His weight room accomplishments transfer to the field, as he is one of the stronger blockers in this year's class. Mailei was an outstanding running back at the same high school that produced NFL standouts defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (Ravens) and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (Eagles), but his lack of speed pushed him to fullback. Analysis Positives: A thumper inside who often puts his target to the ground. Stout build throughout his body. Explodes out of a very low stance, and can get to full power even though he lines up a yard closer to the line than most fullbacks. Also goes in motion before the snap to get outside faster. Stays low, and brings his hips and keeps his legs moving when making contact in the hole. Always finds someone to hit. Sustains blocks through the whistle, if needed. Has a good punch and extends his arms to hold off ends in pass protection or linebackers if blocking past the line of scrimmage. Soft hands in the flat and has some open-field agility. Could handle short-yardage running responsibilities. Negatives: Shorter than scouts prefer for the position. Lacks great speed and is not a fluid runner. Loses balance because he lunges while blocking in space. Does not have the suddenness or hip flexibility to adjust to fast NFL linebackers and safeties. May struggle to make yards after the catch against quicker defenders because of a lack of elusiveness. found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis:
	What's popular is not always right, and what's right is not always popular.....

12-09-2009, 05:54 PM	#19
RaginCajun83 Hou Saints Fan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 5,050	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters Originally Posted by saintpaul25 I found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis on Mailei: The two-time first-team All-Big Sky fullback earned the attention of scouts by blowing up defenders as a blocker and making 58 catches over the past three seasons. His weight room accomplishments transfer to the field, as he is one of the stronger blockers in this year's class. Mailei was an outstanding running back at the same high school that produced NFL standouts defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (Ravens) and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (Eagles), but his lack of speed pushed him to fullback. Analysis Positives: A thumper inside who often puts his target to the ground. Stout build throughout his body. Explodes out of a very low stance, and can get to full power even though he lines up a yard closer to the line than most fullbacks. Also goes in motion before the snap to get outside faster. Stays low, and brings his hips and keeps his legs moving when making contact in the hole. Always finds someone to hit. Sustains blocks through the whistle, if needed. Has a good punch and extends his arms to hold off ends in pass protection or linebackers if blocking past the line of scrimmage. Soft hands in the flat and has some open-field agility. Could handle short-yardage running responsibilities. Negatives: Shorter than scouts prefer for the position. Lacks great speed and is not a fluid runner. Loses balance because he lunges while blocking in space. Does not have the suddenness or hip flexibility to adjust to fast NFL linebackers and safeties. May struggle to make yards after the catch against quicker defenders because of a lack of elusiveness. found this on CBS site. Pre draft day analysis: I'll hold judgment till he sees the field but he sure does sounds a lot like Mike Karney

12-09-2009, 06:03 PM	#20
SaintPauly Senior Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters Originally Posted by RaginCajun83 I'll hold judgment till he sees the field but he sure does sounds a lot like Mike Karney I was thinking the same thing. After getting stuffed on those third, and fourth, and short yardage plays against the Skins, he should at least make things alot more interesting.