SmashMouth

It's hard to understate the importance of the New Orleans Saints' final preseason game.

While many starters will sit out the game, leading some people to label the exhibition as meaningless, the finale is actually a huge opportunity for several players.

For some guys on the roster bubble, Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Rams will be a chance to solidify a job, either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad, before Saturday's cut-down day. For some others, this could be the last time they put on an NFL uniform.

"It's never easy," veteran offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod said. "This is never an easy point in time in the season."

While many players will be competing for jobs Thursday, most try not to think about it.

"I can't let that creep in my mind or my thoughts and derail me from playing how I'm playing," defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence said. "I can't be thinking about all that outside stuff."



Although several players are already locked onto the roster, which happens when 21 of 22 starters return from the previous season, there are still a few spots up for grabs.

Players must also remember that the other 31 teams will be watching the film from Thursday's exhibition. Even though a player might not make the Saints team, a strong performance can help a guy land with another team. Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that the Saints claimed wide receiver Austin Carr and quarterback Taysom Hill because of their strong finishes to the preseason with the Patriots and Packers, respectively.

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