Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Wednesday that the club has signed fullback Marcus Mailei from the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles and linebacker Anthony Waters from the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad and have waived fullback Kyle Eckel.

Mailei is a 6-0, 255-pound rookie from Weber State who signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April and played well for them in the preseason before landing on their practice squad for the first 13 weeks of the regular season. A two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection in college, the Salt Lake City native caught 58 passes for 563 yards and five touchdowns with 161 yards and three rushing touchdowns on the collegiate level.

Waters re-joins the Saints after putting up a strong fight for a roster spot in the preseason before being waived in final cuts. The 6-3, 238-pound third-year linebacker out of Clemson spent his first two NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers and has three career tackles on defense and three on special teams in seven games played. The Lake View, S.C. native was signed to the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills in October and spent the past eight weeks there.

Eckel signed with the Saints in late October and played in five games with New Orleans, carrying the ball twice for six yards. The third-year fullback also played on special teams.

The team also announced a pair of practice squad transactions, releasing quarterback Chase Daniel from the practice squad and signing linebacker Prince Kwateng to the practice squad. Kwateng (6-2, 235) is a rookie from Northwestern who played with the California Redwoods of the UFL earlier this fall.

New Orleans Saints - Saints Sign FB Marcus Mailei and LB Anthony Waters

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Waters spent time with the Saints in the preseason so he has some time with GW system ... I got faith in Loomis/Payton but tweeking the roster this late in the year?

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

I like this ..he's a big boy 255...maybe he can bust some chops for us...and Waters was playing pretty good...i think this a good move...Loomis!!!

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

I am with you here- FB doesn't seem significant enough to warrant a move

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Since Thomas has been a H-Back the last couple games, this team needs help on defense till the injuries heal

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Our current group of LBs beat out Waters in preseason so I don't see this as anything but a special teams move.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

ST and back up OLB. We are getting thin and performance haven't been what it should be from these spots so he could see some reps. If he does well he may end up starting before to long... and if another injury happens during a game he'll be in.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

He caught 58 passes is what caught my eye

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Two names ladies and gentleman: Marques Colston and Lance Moore. Did anyone here
know who these guys were before Loomis, and Payton introduced them to us? I have
complete faith in our management. Haven't said that since Jim Finks was around, God
Bless Him!

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

If Payton is signing a FB then he must feel he needs to improve the running game. I'm glad to see Waters get another shot with the Saints and as the season goes on he may very well get some playing time.