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.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

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.

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.

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

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.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

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

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

He looked lost on special teams

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

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.

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:

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

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

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

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.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

soo much changes on our roster.. but i have full faith.. hopefully we get back chase.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Interesting moves, nonetheless.... I thought they may have brought in another CB or promoted Fassit from Practice squad...Time will surely tell if they pan out.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

I agree I think FB is an absolute for the running game & Ekel must not have gotten it done.

Loomis has an Ok record so lets trust them!!

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

i like the moves for the most part.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

I agree with any move loomis and peyton make. But i'm still wondering why we havent jumped on signing Derrick Brooks or bringing Skylar Green on until Moore gets healthy

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

I like both moves a lot. Waters is in a position of great need at LB. Fujita's spot is very thin, and the guys playing there are not doing a good job especially at covering crossing patterns and dump off passes. Hope he can help. Also, we need a FB who can block both for the running and the passing game.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Sounds like Malai is a better pass catching FB than Ekel and may be a better replacement for Evans.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Since Gruden and SP are buds you think some info might've been exchanged on Derrick Brooks? It seems like adding him would be a no brainer if we need LBs.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

All of these call-ups are a roll of the dice. We all hope these guys work out for us and don't mess up the team chemistry. For every Colston and Moore there are 30 guys we have forgotten, never knew, and will never-ever hear from again. There were/are reasons these guys didn't get a ticket the first time around or have been job hopping the last 12 weeks. I just hope Payton/Williams can get these newbies to fire-off at the moment of truth. They don't really have to be bang-on from start to finish, just make it happen the 3-5 times during a game when their decisions and assignments will make a difference.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

Why hasn't anyone said that they think Prince (Kwateng) will make some "big hits" this year! HAAA!!!! If he cracks the lineup, we can call him the "Linebacker Formaly Known As" or just change his name to the Fleur de Lis! HAAAAAAAA!!! C'mon that was good guys.

Re: Saints sign FB Mailei and LB Waters
 

The Saints have managed to bring in good players from our practice squad and if we need to go outside the organization this late in the season then I have to say I'm all for it. Loomis and Payton have made some pretty good acquisitions to their credit and I'm behind our scouting department 100%. Our running game has suffered with out a better blocker. I sure miss Evans right now.