DblBogey

You see the headliners with the New Orleans Saints -- Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, Jon Vilma, etc. -- but it is remarkable to see how many players on this 53-man roster were skipped over in the draft. We're talking about a Super Bowl champion and they have 11 players who got on the 53-man after starting on the practice squad.

The Saints have 13 players on the 53-man roster who were undrafted free agents. These are not guys on the special teams, either, but key contributors.

Look at Lance Moore, a valuable receiver. He was on the practice squad in 2005 and 2006. Not only do the Saints get a good player, but these are guys who help along the payroll for a while, until they blossom.

What about running back Pierre Thomas? I thought a high draft pick, Reggie Bush, was going to get his chance to shine with the run against the Vikings in the season-opener. Wrong. It was Thomas. He had 71 yards rushing; Bush had 14.

Jabari Greer, the Saints cornerback, is an undrafted free agent.

Quick hits on the Saints heading into Monday night's game with the 49ers:

-The Saints will be trying to start 2-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.

-Right guard Jahri Evans, who is from small school Bloomsburg, has made 65 straight starts with the Saints -- the longest streak in team history among offensive linemen to begin a career.

-Drew Brees' 64.9 percent career completion percentage is ranked third all-time in NFL. Who is ahead? Answer below.

-You know what the Saints can do that other pass-first teams can't do: rip the top off the defense. The Saints have Devery Henderson and you don't. He averages an NFL high 20.6 yards per catch since 2006. Henderson has 16 catches of over 50 yards in his career. Henderson's 24.8 yards per snatch in 2008 was first in the NFL by five yards.

-Only Chad Pennington (66.1) and Kurt Warner (65.5) have a better career completion percentage than Brees.

Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, Jabari Greer Provide Saints Diamonds in Rough -- NFL FanHouse

Hey Goodell . . . This year we will kick ass for free!

jcp026

FIRST!

Crusader

Now what the hell did you just do son? We don't "First!" around here.


OT: That goes to show scouting is not by any means an exact science.

dizzle88

Man i had no idea Jabari Greer was an undrafted free agent, a player of his caliber! One of the best DB's in the league, Our Coaching staff do a great job of getting guys (not matter what there draft pick) ready to play in games and put them in great positions to make plays!!

Rugby Saint II

Our scouting department is the best in the business. Every since Payton got here we have had tremendous success with UDFA's. These guys know their business.

strato