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Running back Cadet: Knowing playbook pivotal for free agents

The gigantic “Do Your Job” poster is gone.

In its place, figuratively, is one of Saints coach Sean Payton saying, “Learn Your Job.”

At least that was the message delivered Tuesday as the team opened its three-day minicamp at its Metairie training facility, especially to the 26 undrafted free agents hopeful of finding a place on the 53-man roster come September.

“The mental aspect of what we’re doing is something we emphasize,” Payton said after the Tuesday morning session. “And it’s a process we’ve started already, even though roster spot decisions won’t be made until we get into pads.

“That goes not only on the field, but in meetings and the weight room, too.”

Running back Travaris Cadet can attest to that.

A year ago, he was an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State, just another face in a crowded backfield.

And while to the outside world, he gained attention early on with his speed during the portions of the minicamp open to the public, the real impressions he was making was to the coaching staff with his grasp of the playbook. By the final cuts, it was no surprise Cadet had made the team.

“I made the practice facility my home,” Cadet said. “The time you put in is what you’ll get out of it.

“It’s extra film study, keeping your eyes in the playbook, constantly pushing yourself because all kinds of curveballs will be thrown at you. You have to do that to separate yourself from everybody else.”

So far, no free agent has made an impression like Cadet did a year ago.

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TheOak

Cadet gets it.. He either had it before he got here or Brees work ethic is rubbing off.

biloxi-indian

This;

“When you’re not drafted, they’re not afraid to cut you because they’re not paying much money to begin with,” he said. “I’m still on the bubble. If you ever get complacent in this league, that’s when they show you the door.” ...Cadet

Seer1

Not only that, but you'll have to work your ass off if you wanna be paid any more.

hagan714

fingers crossed can cadet be the breakout player of 2013? man that would be a huge boost

homerj07

Does & says the right things. We have a lot of those type of players

Rugby Saint II

The only thing that bothers me about Cadet is that he seemed to hit a wall midway through the season last year. He repeatedly ran the ball out of the end zone and would barely make the twenty yard line. Too much can go wrong doing that.

billyt81

This is a very good point. I don't know exactly why but we haven't had even a respectable return game in years. I am hopeful this is another place us Who Dats can expect big improvement. I do like Cadet. He seems to have speed balance and vision.

Seer1

A lot of guys hit a wall about mid season last year. If he gets rolling, it'll be like having two Sproles. A DC's ulcer in the making.