jeanpierre

For all the whining, fussing, fretting over overall boo-hoo-hooing over the wide receiver position...

As Saints fans we should be more concerned over the where it all starts up-front in the line play, depth...

We've got trouble in River City at Guard, with more worry about Jahri than all the speculative Lelito concerns; not to mention this scheme disaster across the defensive front...

Unger is the real deal, but he's a center, not an earth moving guard...

And all this fanfare of how Jordan, Hicks and Jenkins have slimmed downed doesn't seem to generate any speed in the pass rush; rather'ed had them stay bulky and contain allowing these new linebackers we have to just one-read and attack...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

A look at the New Orleans Saints 90-man roster after this week's flurry of moves

By Evan Woodbery, NOLA.com
on August 19, 2015 at 5:50 PM, updated August 19, 2015 at 5:55 PM

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. -- Although injuries to prominent players were the big news in the New Orleans Saints preseason opener last Thursday, the bottom of the roster has fared even worse.

Reserve tackle Lawrence Virgil...was placed on the injured reserve. His replacement, Austin Brown, was on the field for less than an hour before his knee buckled, ending his season...

The Saints have also been bit by the injury bug at tight end. Alex Smith arrived earlier this month when rookie Jack Tabb suffered a serious knee injury and was placed on IR. Smith was released on Sunday but then brought back on Wednesday when another tight end, Kevin Brock, was transferred to the IR.

Michael Egnew, who was unemployed at the beginning of this week, can now safely be listed as the fourth tight end -- which isn't bad, considering the Saints will probably carry three on their roster.

The Saints 90-man roster now includes 44 players on offense: four quarterbacks, six running backs, three fullbacks, five tight ends, 11 receivers and 15 offensive linemen.

The defense has 42 players: 13 defensive linemen, 12 linebackers, 10 cornerbacks and seven safeties.

The Saints round out the roster with two kickers, a punter and a long snapper.

If Brown goes on the injured reserve on Thursday, there will be six players on IR (who don't count against the 90-man limit).

The Saints must cut down to 75 players by Sept. 1 and 53 players on Sept. 5.

The full roster is embedded below...

A look at the New Orleans Saints 90-man roster after this week's flurry of moves | NOLA.com

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

JPPT1974

Makes you wonder since Hopkins is kicking off well if Morstead could just focus on punting?

Cruize

QB - Brees, McNown, Grayson
RB - Ingram, Robinson, Spiller, Murphy
FB - Johnson, Lorig
WR - Colston, Cooks, Coleman, Joe Morgan, Snead
TE - Watson, Hill
OT - Strief, Armstead, Peat
OG - Evans, Lelito, Kelemete, McGlynn
C - Unger
(24)

I like Griffin better but Payton will go with the vet and let Griffin have a shot at finding a roster elsewhere. Murphy wins the 4th RB on his return skills which are legit. I only kept 5 WR's because I can't justify Toon or Jones being on an NFL roster. I kept 2 FB's and 2 TE's because Charles is the leading candidate for the 3rd TE spot and he is going to be suspended. When/if he comes back or the Saints find someone else, that will change. Hightower can be on an NFL roster.

DE - Jordan, Hicks, Spencer, Richardson
DT - Jenkins, Williams, Davison, Eulls
OLB - Kikaha, Ellerbe, Edebali, Haralson
ILB - Anthony, Humber, Hawthorne
CB - Lewis, Browner, Breaux, SJB, Swann, Williams
S- Byrd, Vaccaro, Bush, Sunseri, Warren
(26)

K - Hopkins
P - Morstead
LS - Drescher



The defensive injuries and talented young guys could change the look at a few spots. Haralson most likely will make it over a guy like Eulls or Tull. Tull will be given his shot to shine now that he's healthy. Eulls will make it to the practice squad and LB Tull and CB Williams could be given a redshirt on IR. I REALLY like Coley and he still has an outside shot if he continues to shine and makes a play or two on special teams. I also like Dixon's ability, effort, and special teams skills. He could be a good CB if he learns control and gets more polished. Phillips can be on an NFL roster and will be picked up.

jeanpierre

Like Pierre Warren, but as he's not making the impact on special teams, he probably doesn't have a roster spot...

jeanpierre

New Orleans Saints roster projection: Willie Snead in, Nick Toon out at WR | NOLA.com

jeanpierre

Tavaris Barnes, rookie teammates in final stretch of race for Saints' roster spot

By Evan Woodbery, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on August 25, 2015 at 6:08 PM, updated August 25, 2015 at 6:16 PM

Tavaris Barnes said there's a close bond between the group of well-regarded but undrafted rookie defensive linemen on the New Orleans Saints roster.

That bond will be tested in the next two weeks as cuts start to thin the defensive line meeting room.

One, possibly two of the undrafted rookies will make the cut. The others will have to hope for a practice-squad invitation.

"All I'm worried about is what I can control, putting my best foot forward every day, working hard and grabbing the attention of the coaches," Barnes said Tuesday after the Saints' practice in Metairie.

Barnes' stock seems to be rising. The rookie from Clemson was the first lineman off the bench in the first half of Saturday's preseason game, replacing defensive end Akiem Hicks in the second quarter.

At least for one night, Barnes seemed to be ahead of Bobby Richardson, an undrafted rookie from Indiana who started in place of Hicks in the preseason opener.

Outside of the four starters in the Saints base defense -- Hicks, Cam Jordan, Kevin Williams and John Jenkins -- only one player seems assured of a spot. That's Tyeler Davison, the Saints' fifth-round draft pick out of Fresno State.

Davison has been replacing Williams and Jenkins in nickel situations, making him a de-facto starter.

Beyond that "starting five," the Saints have plenty of options.

* Expect one winner out of the three defensive end/linebacker hybrids: veterans Parys Haralson and Anthony Spencer and rookie Markus Pierce-Brewster.

* The Saints will also probably keep one of their three versatile rookie ends: Barnes, Richardson and Mississippi State undrafted prospect Kaleb Eulls.

* Will the Saints choose to keep a second true nose tackle behind Jenkins? If so, that's rookie Ashaad Mabry's best chance of winning a roster spot...

Barnes, 23, hopes his versatility will help him win a spot.

"I've played really the whole line, from D-tackle, D-end, strong-side, weakside," Barnes said of his time in New Orleans. "They've really got me everywhere..."

Richardson and Eulls were both considered potential late-round or even mid-round options, and some analysts were surprised that they landed in the free-agent pool.

The Saints were able to sign such a talented class of undrafted linemen partly because they offered a clear path to a 53-man roster spot.

That's as true today as it was when the players signed in May, and now they're only days away from learning the winner, or winners...

Source: Tavaris Barnes, rookie teammates in final stretch of race for Saints' roster spot | NOLA.com

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

Reviewed Film, PFF Grades et al...

STILL VERY FLUID TRAINING CAMP PROJECTED SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2015


OFFENSE

QB (3) Drew Brees, Ryan Griffin, Garrett Grayson (R3, #75)

RB (4) Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller (FA), Marcus Murphy (R7, #230)

FB (1) Austin Johnson

WR (3) Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Nick Toon

LT (2) Terron Armstead, Bryce Harris

LG (2) Tim Lelito, Mike McGlynn (FA)

C (1) Max Unger (via Trade)

RG (1) Jahri Evans

RT (2) Zach Strief, Andrus Peat (R1, #13)

TE (3) Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill, Orson Charles

WR (3) Brandin Cooks, Josh Morgan (FA), Willie Snead (FA)


DEFENSE

DE (2) Akiem Hicks, Bobby Richardson (URFA)

NT (2) John Jenkins, Ashaad Mabry (URFA)

DT (2) Kevin Williams (FA), Tyeler Davison (R5, #154)

LEO (2) Cameron Jordan, Kasim Edebali

WILL (2) Dannell Ellerbe (via Trade), Ramon Humber

MIKE (2) Stephone Anthony (R1, #31), David Hawthorne

SAM (2) Hau'oli Kikaha (R2, #44), Davis Tull (R5, #148)

CB (3) Keenan Lewis, Damian Swann (R5, #167), P.J. Williams (R3, #78)

SS (2) Kenny Vaccaro, Vinnie Sunseri

FS (3) Jairus Byrd, Rafael Bush, Kenny Phillips (FA)

CB (3) Brandon Browner (FA), Delvin Breaux (FA), Stanley Jean-Baptiste


KICKING

K (1) Dustin Hopkins (URFA)

P (1) Thomas Morstead

LS (1) Justin Drescher

KR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

PR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

H Thomas Morstead

KO Thomas Morstead

New Saints Acquired Veterans

New Saints Rookies

Injured or Physically Unable to Perform

Non-Football Injury (Prior Injury)

Injured Reserve

WR Andy Tanner

WR Malcome Kennedy

OL Mike Brewster

*Notes:

Some key veterans and draft picks have missed so much time that the leverage of their investment has withered away...

While the offense clicked with the ones, we still are plowing in the run game like we had expected with Unger's addition...

Rebirth of Kenny Phillips with Byrd's poor health for the start of the season, it's the right move to keep Phillips as insurance...

Really Like T Terron Armstead and C Max Unger to make the ProBowl, possibly All-Pro - they both look great!

This talk about Senio being G/C eligible makes his a roster spot is bullshinski; Lelito is a proven G/C...

And McGlynn has graded well at Guard with the twos, threes so he'll get the nod...

Harris experience will get him the nod for an additional tackle...

After rookies Tyeler Davison and Bobby Richardson, the rookie defensive linemen just haven't won a roster spot...

With talented depth at quarterback, safety and cornerback, Jeff Ireland can aggressively seek trades rather than Loomis outright releasing same...

P.J. Williams and Davis Tull are candidates for the IR (Intern/Redshirt) for their first year...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

A roster that will be built by attrition?!?

PROJECTED SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2015


OFFENSE

QB (3) Drew Brees, Ryan Griffin, Garrett Grayson (R3, #75)

RB (4) Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller (FA), Marcus Murphy (R7, #230)

FB (1) Austin Johnson

WR (3) Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Seantavius Jones

LT (2) Terron Armstead, Bryce Harris

LG (2) Tim Lelito, Mike McGlynn (FA)

C (1) Max Unger (via Trade)

RG (1) Jahri Evans

RT (2) Zach Strief, Andrus Peat (R1, #13)

TE (3) Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill, Orson Charles

WR (3) Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead (FA), Josh Morgan (FA)


DEFENSE

DE (2) Akiem Hicks, Bobby Richardson (URFA)

NT (2) John Jenkins, Ashaad Mabry (URFA)

DT (2) Kevin Williams (FA), Tyeler Davison (R5, #154)

LEO (2) Cameron Jordan, Tavaris Barnes (URFA)

WILL (2) Dannell Ellerbe (via Trade), Ramon Humber

MIKE (2) Stephone Anthony (R1, #31), David Hawthorne

SAM (3) Hau'oli Kikaha (R2, #44), Kasim Edebali, Davis Tull (R5, #148)

CB (2) Keenan Lewis, Damian Swann (R5, #167)

SS (2) Kenny Vaccaro, Rafael Bush

FS (3) Jairus Byrd, Kenny Phillips (FA), Pierre Warren

CB (3) Brandon Browner (FA), Delvin Breaux (FA), Stanley Jean-Baptiste


KICKING

K (1) Dustin Hopkins (URFA)

P (1) Thomas Morstead

LS (1) Justin Drescher

KR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

PR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

H Thomas Morstead

KO Thomas Morstead

New Saints Acquired Veterans

New Saints Rookies

Injured or Physically Unable to Perform

Non-Football Injury (Prior Injury)

Injured Reserve

CB P.J. Williams (R3, #78)

DE Anthony Spencer

TE Kevin Brock

TE Jack Tabb

DL Lawrence Virgil

NT Austin Brown

OL Mike Brewster

*Notes: Again, it looks like a roster built through attrition...

Gotta consider trading McCown or Griffin for depth at inside linebacker...

Kudos to Loomis for signing Kenny Phillips...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

INITIAL 53-MAN SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2015


OFFENSE

QB (3) Drew Brees, Luke McCown, Garrett Grayson (R3, #75)

RB (5) Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller (FA), Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), Tim Hightower (FA)

FB (1) Austin Johnson

WR (2) Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman

LT (1) Terron Armstead

LG (2) Tim Lelito, Mike McGlynn (FA)

C (2) Max Unger (via Trade), Senio Kelemete

RG (1) Jahri Evans

RT (2) Zach Strief, Andrus Peat (R1, #13)

TE (2) Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill

WR (2) Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead (FA)


DEFENSE

DE (3) Akiem Hicks, Bobby Richardson (URFA), Tavaris Barnes (URFA)

NT (2) John Jenkins, Ashaad Mabry (URFA)

DT (3) Kevin Williams (FA), Tyeler Davison (R5, #154), Kaleb Eulls (URFA)

LEO (1) Cameron Jordan

WILL (2) David Hawthorne, Dannell Ellerbe (via Trade)

MIKE (2) Stephone Anthony (R1, #31), Ramon Humber

SAM (3) Hau'oli Kikaha (R2, #44), Kasim Edebali, Davis Tull (R5, #148)

CB (3) Keenan Lewis, Brian Dixon, Kyle Wilson (FA)

SS (2) Kenny Vaccaro, Jamarca Sanford

FS (3) Jairus Byrd, Kenny Phillips (FA), Rafael Bush

CB (3) Brandon Browner (FA), Delvin Breaux (FA), Damian Swann (R5, #167)


KICKING

K (1) Zach Hocker (URFA)

P (1) Thomas Morstead

LS (1) Justin Drescher

KR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

PR Marcus Murphy (R7, #230), C.J. Spiller (FA)

H Thomas Morstead

KO Thomas Morstead

New Saints Acquired Veterans

New Saints Rookies

Injured, Injured/Designated To Return or Physically Unable to Perform

Injured Reserve

CB P.J. Williams (R3, #78)

SS Vinnie Sunseri

LB Ronald Powell

DE Anthony Spencer

OL Mike Brewster

WR Nick Toon

TE Kevin Brock

TE Jack Tabb

DL Lawrence Virgil

NT Austin Brown

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...