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Travaris Cadet didn't get the chance to prove himself in front of New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton last year. A stellar 2012 preseason landed the undrafted free agent a roster spot, but in 2013, with Payton back on the sideline, it's been mixed results.

Cadet has said repeatedly he almost feels like this is his second rookie season. So to have a setback now has been untimely, to say the least.

"Every year is a new year. When I came in as a rookie last year, I was trying to prove myself," he said. "I wouldn't even consider myself a veteran except for getting that year under my belt and getting more comfortable and learning."

Cadet fumbled twice, recovering one and losing the other, against the Oakland Raiders during last Friday's second preseason game. Cadet's woes were part of an overall lethargic second-half performance that frustrated Payton.

"That just can't happen," Payton said during postgame.

It wasn't the best of games for the second-year tailback, who carried the ball five times for minus-5 yards. Two of those carries went for minus-6 and minus-9 yards.

The previous week Cadet had a 13-carry, 40-yard game against the Kansas City Chiefs. But in the fight for a roster spot, every game, especially the most recent, means something. Cadet and rookie Khiry Robinson are in a battle for the fourth, and likely final, running back spot behind Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles.

Robinson has been hot on Cadet's trail during the preseason, rushing for 52 yards against the Chiefs and 50 yards against the Raiders. Robinson hasn't had a turnover in either game. That doesn't mean he's not wary of the possibility.

"What happened to Cadet easily could have happened to me," he said. "With my running style, sometimes the ball comes out. It's just a mistake you've got to learn from."

Read more: New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet not dwelling on fumbles with roster spot at stake | NOLA.com

Rugby Saint II

Khiry is going to take his roster spot and we will try to sneak Cadet onto the PS.jmho

Beastmode

I think he's fine. Good returner and coming along as a receiver. I would not give that up for Khiry at this point.

st thomas

its going to be hard to unseat cadet, hes all over the field on special teams and mop up rolls. what i mean to say its his experience thats going to sway the vote. that hickup he had last week is out the door. k. rob on p. sq.

saintfan

He had a bad game. I say give him some time with the ones against Houston and let's have a look-see. I'm not ready to kick him to the curb just yet.

TheOak

Cadet lacks ball security.... That trumps all.

homerj07

Lets see what happens Sunday. If he does well he should be ok. If he funks up again - he's gone

TheOak

Not all players can overcome ball security issues, Ivory had 4 in 2010 then only played 6 games each in the next two seasons..... Rumor was that he couldn't shake fumblitis in practice in 2012....

Point being 1 game does not make that go away. Cadet can go fumble free in Houston then put the ball on the turf in the kickoff against Atlanta.