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METAIRIE — Andy Tanner flips through photos in his cell phone before every Saints practice and preseason game.

These private moments with his wife, Kristine, and 3-month-old son, James, remind Tanner why he’s endured so much in his professional career, and why he is willing to catch more.

“His smile just lightens up my world,” said Tanner, a shifty receiver who is competing for one of the last spots on the Saints 53-man roster.

“I can have a terrible day at practice or a bad day, just in general, and go home and see them; it’s just awesome.”

Wednesday morning’s practice proved to be a good one for Tanner, said coach Sean Payton, who praised his work ethic and patience. It was the latest example of Tanner’s improved skill set since first arriving here in 2010.

He’s a better route runner, which includes understanding how to adjust routes based on coverages.

He can play multiple receiver positions.

He’s gained the trust of Drew Brees, the Saints version of having a football godfather.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment: surviving football purgatory.

He has yet to catch a pass during the regular season. Tanner’s bio reads like a out-of-control copy-and-paste error:

Signed by Saints as a rookie free agent, 5/13/10... Waived, 8/31/10... Signed to practice squad, 12/29/10... released from practice squad 1/7/11... Signed to reserve/futures contract, 1/13/11...Waived 9/3/11...

It goes on. The Saints have cut Tanner 16 times.

“It seems like he’s been here for a long time,” Payton said. “For a player like that, every season will be like this.”

The proverbial chip on the shoulder wouldn’t work. It would be too heavy for Tanner to carry down the field.

“It takes a stronger-than-strong person to do something like that,” tight end Jimmy Graham said. “He’s close friend of mine, so obviously, I’m pulling for him.”

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.