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I spoke with New Orleans Saints safety Isa Abdul-Quddus and tailback Joique Bell, two of the biggest "Cinderella stories" to make the team's opening 53-man roster. Naturally, both players were excited, but they insisted they won't take they opportunity for granted.

Abdul-Quddus was probably the longest long shot of any current Saints player at the start of camp. Not only is he the only undrafted rookie to make the roster this year, but the Fordham product appeared to be buried on the depth chart a month ago behind veterans Prioleau, Reis and Paul Oliver.

"I didn't even worry about that. I just knew if I played my best, I'd have a shot," Abdul-Quddus said. "My whole thing was to try to learn from the vets as much as I could in a short time, especially since we didn't have any OTAs or minicamps."

Abdul-Quddus said he was attracted to the Saints for a number of reasons - including their history of giving undrafted rookies a chance.

"I knew about Pierre Thomas and Junior Galette and those guys," Abdul-Quddus said. "But I also knew this would be a good fit for me, to be around a lot of great veteran leaders like Jonathan Vilma and Drew Brees."

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Long shots Isa Abdul-Quddus, Joique Bell react to making New Orleans Saints roster | NOLA.com

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