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The New Orleans Saints' preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night will hold different meanings for different players.

For Drew Brees and the first-team offense, it'll be a chance to play for about two series and chip off some rust. Just about the same could be said for the starters on Rob Ryan's new 3-4 defense, though this game marks the first time cornerback and New Orleans native Keenan Lewis steps foot in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as a member of the Saints.

For running back Travaris Cadet, Friday's preseason opener will be another audition. Payton was suspended as part of the bounty probe and wasn't around when the Saints signed Cadet as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Appalachian State a year ago. Payton wasn't around to see Cadet elevate past Chris Ivory in the pecking order at times during offseason practices, and he wasn't around to make the call on whether Cadet should be on the final 53-man roster. It's a unique situation for Cadet, who has to make another lasting impression, and Payton, who's familiarizing himself more and more with the younger players on the roster.

"For me, it's year one (with Cadet)," Payton said. "I have seen a season of him playing. He is versatile. I think he is handling some of the base stuff better, so you see him running the ball between tackles a little better. But, he has good ball skills.

"He is smart and some of the things I have seen him do are encouraging. I think in the return game he is going to improve."

Cadet used last year's Hall of Fame game against the Arizona Cardinals as his initial springboard to make the team. In last year's preseason opener against Arizona in Canton, Ohio, Cadet hauled in eight catches for 80 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Chase Daniel, who's now with the Chiefs.

Cadet shined throughout much of the preseason last year, making the roster as the fifth running back behind Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles and Ivory.

The Saints had enough trouble trying to figure out four running backs, much less five, so Cadet became a wide receiver early in the regular season but eventually landed back with the running backs by the end of 2012. Cadet finished last season with five catches for 44 yards and one carry for five yards.

Cadet said he's more comfortable in his second year and is still open to playing any position. But early indications are Cadet will be at tailback.
Running backs coach Dan Roushar said the Chiefs game will be a great barometer for Cadet.

"I think he feels much more comfortable this year as he's been concentrating all of his efforts in the backfield," Roushar said. "We haven't done anything with him this year on the outside as far as playing the wide receiver position.

"He's got to be a lot more comfortable. I think it shows in the film."
Cadet said he'll never feel like he has a roster spot secured considering the road he traveled to make the team last season and how little he was used in 2012. However, his familiarity with Payton's system should help his chances.

"I don't care how good you are, if you go out there and just use your natural instincts without knowing what the design of the play is, then you won't be successful," Cadet said. "I don't care if you're the best athlete in the world. This system is real complicated, and that's something I learned last year.

"It takes a lot of time and a lot of film work to learn everything. At times last year, I got frustrated because I just wanted to learn everything at every position. This year, I'm more comfortable because I know all of the concepts and I know my assignments. By doing that, it helps me play more freely."
Cadet doesn't know how much he'll play against the Chiefs; he figures he just should be ready when called upon. Roushar said tonight's game will be huge for Cadet to make a great first impression, just like it was one year ago.

"I think everyone is competing for roster spots," Roushar said. "That never changes. We have good competition out here. Certainly we see what Khiry (Robinson) is doing and that's pushing the envelope. But I'll tell you this, when I look at Travaris, there's not any role that he can't fill. He's can be like Sprolesy coming out of the backfield as a ball receiver. I think he does that well. And I think he's a better than good runner.

"I would say the one thing I've been challenging him to do is to learn to run with more physicality and put those pads down. And be more physical in protections to step up and take people on. I'm looking at him, and he's had some good days."

LINKBACK

dizzle88

He needs to improve at holding onto the ball, he had 2 fumbles in limited playing time last year, one of them nearly cost us the eagles game

Beastmode

Hoping the run gets established early. Our best defensive option is keeping the D off the field, sorry but our D is going to be a problem again but not if they are on the bench.

Danno

I really like cadet, but I'm loving what I hear about Robinson. Wonder if we keep five or just try to sneak Robinson on the ps

homerj07

Well he ran well last night.