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5 players who helped themselves against Houston:

1. Receiver Andy Tanner: Two touchdown receptions never hurt, and Tanner showed a nose for the end zone on his 8-yarder in the third quarter, and fantastic hands on his 15-yarder in the fourth. We already know the staff likes him – he was on the practice squad for parts of the 2010-12 seasons, and Coach Sean Payton always is complimentary of him. But he seemed to have fallen behind in the race to be the Saints’ fifth receiver (the first four being Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Kenny Stills and Nick Toon). Tanner (three catches for 33 yards vs. the Texans) gave coaches something to think about.

2. Receiver Preston Parker: He’s the guy who, until Tanner’s performance against the Texans on Sunday, looked to have a pretty good grip on the No. 5 receiver spot. And, actually, he didn’t do anything to hurt his standing; Tanner was just that good. However, we know Parker can catch (he led the team with six receptions and two receiving touchdowns in the preseason before Sunday) and against Houston, he also showed his return ability by taking back the second-half kickoff 52 yards, to give the Saints a short field en route to a touchdown drive. Special teams play might give Parker the edge over Tanner if everything else is fairly equal. New Orleans Saints

3. Defensive end Glenn Foster: Foster isn’t helping himself to a roster spot. That looks like a done deal. Rather, he’s helping himself to a spot in the defensive line rotation, according to Payton. Not bad for an undrafted rookie. The Saints unearth a gem or two like Foster in every rookie class and so far this year, you could make a case that he’s been as impressive defensively as Stills has been offensively. Foster leads the team with four sacks (he had one Sunday) and has been a factor in every preseason game.

4. Running back Travaris Cadet: Cadet bounced back from a horrible performance against Oakland (two fumbles) to play solid against the Texans. Good thing, because Khiry Robinson is breathing down his neck for that fourth running back spot, a jack-of-all-trades who can run, catch and play special teams. The question is, How much damage had he done to himself against Oakland? And did he do enough against the Texans (four carries for 16 yards, three receptions for 37 yards) to wipe that taste out of coaches’ mouths?

5. Guard Tim Lelito: Another undrafted rookie, he was in the lineup on the Saints’ first scoring drive, a three-play, 80-yard zip in the second quarter. He’d replaced starter Eric Olsen at the time (Olsen started for the resting Jahri Evans) and Lelito didn’t look overwhelmed. He may be a practice squad candidate.

Five New Orleans Saints players who helped themselves against the Houston Texans

WhoDat!656

I should buy stock in No-Doze and Pepto Bismal because the Saints coaches are going to have a helluva time sorting this out!

Luda34

I'm happy for Tanner the guy deserve to make the team if not us someone will pick him up but I hope we keep him.

Cruize

Tanner could lead the Jets in receptions. Of course, with their QB's, that would probably be in the 18-22 range.

papz

LOL you're terrible for that.

QBREES9

Just End The Season JETS !!!!

ClintSaints

Watched the game twice and noticed that Charles Brown got burned very badly on 3rd and 6 on Brees' very first drive - that play almost resulted in a safety/sack on Brees in the end zone. Very bad play from Charles Brown there, imho.

LBCutta

Hate to say if but I think Parker beat Tanner out.

thebdj

The Parker/Tanner one is incredibly interesting indeed. Do we have any way to accommodate both of these guys? I know roster spots are going to be like gold dust in the next couple weeks but with their total contributions to the game, can we find ANY way to squeeze them both in?

Personally I think if it was as clear-cut as 'We are keeping 1 and no more' then Parker will get the spot but I personally would keep Tanner.

The next big one is Robinson/Cadet and I actually think this battle is directly aligned to the previous one. If we go with Tanner then I think Cadet has the spot. If we go with Parker then I think Robinson may edge out Cadet. This is based on who is making additional contributions to special teams returns.

What a wonderful headache to have although at this point I would rather be having defensive headaches like this. Offence is not our main area of concern

SapperSaint

I like Tanner. I do hope he makes it with us. This guy needs a shot in the "Show". If he gets picked up with someone else; I wish nothing but the nest for him.

Cadet v Robinson: flip a coin.

And yes, I did notice Brown getting "schooled".