Don't Fear the Reaper: Saints Final Roster Cuts Loom

by Saintsational on Sep 5, 2009 6:00 AM CDT Comment 39 comments

In football, the staff member responsible for telling a player to report to the coach's office so that he may be told of his release is actually called the Turk. If you've ever watched Hard Knocks, he's the guy always saying, "Bring your playbook." But Blue Oyster Cult didn't popularize a song called, "Don't Fear the Turk" and like the Grim Reaper, the Turk seeks out players and brings them to their inevitable career death. Hence the title of this post.

Today is the day all NFL team rosters must be cut down to their maximum of 53 players, certainly not any coaches favorite part of the job but still a necessary evil. Inevitably, it comes down to a handful of very difficult decisions at just a couple of positions. Here's a look at some of the more difficult decisions the Saints coaching staff will have to make today.

The Wide Receiver Dilemma

Rod Harper, Courtney Roby and Adrian Arrington are the three players in the mix for one, maybe two, available spots. Harper's performance against the Dolphins on Thursday night should have assured him job security. Probably the most difficult decision of the day - if the coaching staff decides to keep six receivers - is between Arrington and Roby. Arrington has shown flashes of brilliance as a receiver and tremendous upside, making him incredibly difficult to part with. On the other hand, Roby's special teams and return abilities give him a shot to crack the lineup. I'd keep Arrington...Bush and Harper can return punts.

Running Back Crunch

Mike Bell is a lock for the third spot behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas but I am beginning to think Payton will go with four players at this position. Lynell Hamilton has to be considered the clear cut favorite for that job but P.J. Hill and Herb Donaldson are also in the mix, Hill moreso than Donaldson. I think they're both gone and Hill is asked back to the practice squad if he's not picked up by another team, which is very likely.

Cornerback Quandary

Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Randall Gay and Malcolm Jenkins have all got to be considered a sure thing to make the roster this season, meaning Leigh Torrence and Danny Gorrer are left to choose from for the fifth spot. Torrence is probably the favorite here but Gorrer has impressed some. Don't think it's enough, though.

Safety Stresses

I still think the Saints will decided to place Chip Vaughn on IR to free up a valuable roster spot. This would leave only Chris Reis for the fifth spot. The question then becomes whether or not to actually keep a fifth safety on the roster. Knowing that Gregg Williams values the safety position and Reis has always been a special teams ace I think he stays but it's a tough call.

Linebacker Logjam

This one baffles me. Marvin Mitchell may make it because he is the only one penciled in at the middle linebacker spot behind Vilma, leaving Troy Evans, Jonathan Casillas and Anthony Waters all fighting it out for possibly just one position (I think Dunbar makes it). But if those guys are versatile enough, I'd prefer to see Casillas and Waters given a chance instead. In fairness, Evans has looked pretty good recently as well and contributes well on special teams. Wouldn't want to be the coaches for this one.

To Harrington or Not to Harrington

If the Saints wanted to only go with two quarterbacks this season, Joey Harrington is definintely the odd man out. Mickey Loomis said Thursday before the game that he gets nervous having only two quarterbacks on the roster and that Thursday nights matchup was not a tryout for Harrington, so I'm inclined to believe he's staying. Still, ya never know.

Easy Decisions

It is pretty safe to assume the following players will certainly not make the team:

Michael Brown

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Comments

I was impressed with Roby last year returning KOs

but I don’t think he’ll make it. As far as punts, I agree Harper and Bush and maybe some else also. But, for KO returns, I am unsure of that and it is important. Arrington makes the team in my opinion. Maybe he returns KOs, I don’t know.

At RB I think they will go with 4 and it will include Hamilton. CB is a tough one, I get the impression Gorer has much potential, but Torrence has experience. Maybe Gorrer to practice squad?? Safety- I think Vaughn will be the better safety as years go by, but the injury makes that very difficult. Could be another practice squad candidate, but to be honest I don’t know the rules that govern PS.

All in all, good dillemmas to have to face- Harrington will probably stay, but I thought the 3rd QB was an “emergency player” and didn’t count towards the 53 man total, could only play if #1 got injured, but I am probably wrong.

At LB I’m thinking Casillas and not Waters (maybe practice squad?) Evans I see being released. Could be wrong.

by Philinwood on Sep 5, 2009 7:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

clarification

3rd QB doesn’t count against the 45 game day active limit – always counts as one of the 53

by saintsdevotee on Sep 5, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about TE

now with Billy Miller gone, who gets the nod there? Buck Ortega? Is Dan Campbell still in camp? Darnell Dinkins (hasn’t he been injured?) Anyone know anything about Martrez Milner??

by Philinwood on Sep 5, 2009 7:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do the Saints need Michael Matthews??

Saving a fanshot here.

Dan Campbell is on IR, career over. Mark Campbell is healing, career over.

Leonard Pope sucks.

Michael Matthews may be worth a look:

rotoworl.com: Sep. 5 – 1:21 pm et

Giants released TE Michael Matthews.
This is a bit of a surprise as Matthews was widely expected to be the Giants’ No. 2 tight end behind Kevin Boss. Darcy Johnson now looks like he’ll fill that role. Matthews’ agent said he has already gotten calls from other teams.

And when finally the bottom fell out, I became withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keepin' on like a bird that flew

by stujo4 on Sep 5, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got a fever . . .

and the only cure is more cowbell.

The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.

by Hooahsaint on Sep 5, 2009 8:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha

because of this post, I’m going to have BOC’s greatest hits stuck in my head all day. Hopefully I’ll get to “I’m Burnin’ For You” soon, and then fizzle out.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Yeah, evidentily “I’m Burnin’ For You” was actually a prediction of the band’s future together in which they all got fried and wondered what their “Where Are They Now” special would be like.

The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.

by Hooahsaint on Sep 6, 2009 6:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why Harper might not have an advantage

Simply put, he’s a punt returner. He’d make a good backup to Reggie Bush; but as long as Bush is healthy, he’s going to be the primary punt returner. Can we invest a roster spot on a special teams backup?

Arrington has more upside as a receiver (if he can stay healthy), and Roby is the best kick returner of the bunch. Harper might make it because he’s not that far behind Arrington as a receiver, and his return ability pushes him past Arrington in the final analysis. But I think Roby will make it for his kick return abilities, and the last spot will be down to Harper and Arrington (I think Payton will keep six). If they judge them as receivers, it’s Arrington; if they value multi-purpose talent, it’s Harper.

As for Heatherton…er, Harrington: Joey carries the stink of defeat with him wherever he goes, even if he never plays. Can you imagine letting someone like Jonathan Casillas get snapped up by another team just so we can keep Harrington on the active roster? Bad, bad mojo.

"Tell all the killjoys to pound sand." -- Ralph Malbrough

by MtnExile on Sep 5, 2009 8:22 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

“as long as Bush is healthy, he’s going to be the primary punt returner.”

Lance Moore is the primary punt returner. Payton has already said that Bush would only be handling those duties, if the game was on the line. Of course, he said that last year, Bush wound up handling them more often and got injured once again. At this stage, I think Harper is a extremely viable alternative. It frees up two players that are both integral parts of your offense.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was mostly bush

last year and they should keep it like thta with Harper as the backup because Moore never looked good returning punts.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Sep 5, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. Bush is too valuable on offense. Starters shouldn’t be returning kicks.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The TE

Look for the Saints to look into Roster Cuts this weekend for a 3rd TE. I Dont think Milner was able to really give them what they wanted. Shockey is a givin, and Ortega is just holding his own at best.

Something tells me they Keep Arrington( for now) and with not having a TE I think they Keep Waters ( For now)

by Ranger565 on Sep 5, 2009 8:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Passing team

As a passing team, expect them to keep 6 wideouts. You can’t pass 60% of the time with 3 wide receiver sets and not have suitable spell options available. Teams that play spread option offenses sometimes have up to 8 receivers on the roster. The Saints run a lot of spread option when Bush is in the mix. The wild card, though, is that I can see Shockey playing slot on those downs. I’d say they keep 6, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept 7.

The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.

by Hooahsaint on Sep 5, 2009 8:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Man, we seriously need another tight end..

And I just read that Pierre Thomas is questionable for the season opener.. I was impressed with Lynell Hamilton, but he’s no where near as talented as Pierre Thomas

by AKAY47 on Sep 5, 2009 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But Mike Bell may be

Bell looks like he’s back completely to his rookie form. I want PT in there as soon as he can be ready, but I’m not sweating with Bell on the roster.

"Tell all the killjoys to pound sand." -- Ralph Malbrough

by MtnExile on Sep 5, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking

it might be time for trade or free agency at TE. With Miller out and Ortega looking at real starting time, I don’t think a waiver is going to cut it. I’m hoping Dinkins gets healthy quick, but he’s by no means a surehanded TE, and Ortega doesn’t look to do either TE job pro football well. Maybe he’ll pick up if he gets some first team action. I guess we’ll see who shakes loose.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Depth perception

I have to admit that when training camp started my biggest concern was second team drop-off and quality depth over all. Pay-Loom have stocked a good group of backups, some are even pushing for starts/playing time. The tough decisions to be made for final cuts confirms my optimism. Now the new challenge is finding a TE that fits the offense. Good hunting to ya.

by WhoDat_OH on Sep 5, 2009 10:20 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

same her as regards to Bell, he conceiveabley could be our best RB on any given Sunday

and he’s hungry to prove himself.

by Philinwood on Sep 5, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep AA

fo-sho,He’s the most talented of the three but not a special teams type, I like to see him in the offense but somebody would have to get hurt (poo-poo) Harper I think has moved ahead of Roby. Roby looks like practice squad material. If they dump Roby, somebody will pick him up and AA or Harper on Prac. sq.. Real question is TE, Shockey the only offensive threat, and he better come out scorchin’….Who-Dat

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will know..Jim Mora Sr.

by metryman on Sep 5, 2009 12:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dominic Rhodes

has been cut by Buffalo in favor of Xavier Omon. The Saints should seriously think about bringing him in. He’d be an big time upgrade over Hamilton as a dependable short yardage back and also fits in nicely as a pass receiver out of the backfield. This is actually a better fit that T.J. Duckett, imo.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Rhodes is ready to be RB4,

things have really gotten ugly. Would be nice to get a proven bulldozer for short yardage, but I think TE just topped the list of needs, with maybe center in second place. Honorable mentions before RB4 might be reliable placekicker and QB2.

Rotoworld had a handful of possibly bright spots in TE that are or might be up for grabs. Michael Matthews of the Giants was cut. Much like Dinkins, but younger and not hurt. Apparently the Pats and Eagles are talking about Feely for Alex Smith. Maybe the Pats would take Harrington or Brunell?

Billy Cundiff and Matt Bryant are also available. Bryant is already injured, but if he’s good for week 1, maybe better than Cundiff or Carney.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not viewing Rhodes as a RB4. I think he’d bump Bell to four, in all honesty. He was third going into Buffalo and I can’t rightly say he’d be among a better stable of backs here. I agree that TE is a bigger need, but I think a decent one could be had for relatively cheap. Jeb Putzier has been available for the last couple of days. I’m fine with someone of that caliber, especially considering how often we use TEs in the first place. RB, at least one of Rhodes’s pedigree, is a little different story. 30 years old or not, I’d be all over that.

Matt Bryant would be a great pickup, assuming he’s good to go. I’d axe Carney in a minute for him. That’s someone you could actually consider keeping over Hartley, if he performs impeccably over the first four weeks.

At QB, I sincerely hope they’re not content with Brunell, but I have a feeling they are.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

that the Saints would see Rhodes as an improvement over Bell at this point. Bell has produced as a Saint, and his head really seems in the right place for the job. Humble, and anxious. If I were Rhodes, I’d just be pissed and dumbfounded this weekend. At tight end, I’d like to see the Saints field a quality blocking TE to complement Shockey. To me, that would be the silver lining for the loss of Miller. People say Shockey is a great blocker, but I haven’t seen it lately. Don’t know anything about Putzier(apart from the fact he could put up a real fight against Ortega in funny names).

Don’t think they’ll do anything new at Kicker, but after seeing Carney actually get iced(didn’t think that actually ever worked), I’d be happy to see yet another face in the field goal unit.

Agree on Brunell. The won’t address that until they need to. At that point it’ll be too late to deal with any leverage or choice.

Hopefully, we will see a smart transaction at center, as it’s an obvious position of need that definitely can be filled with usable depth from waivers.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kind of imagine a doomsday scenario in which Morstead is the 4th quarter QB for a game. Maybe then, in that darkest possible hour, we’ll see the Saints wildcat.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just don't

say “wildcat” around Morstead.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dinkins is actually one of the better blocking TEs in the league, when healthy. I do agree that that’s probably what they’ll lean more towards, though. In retrospect, they really should have drafted James Casey from Rice over Chip Vaughn. He could have been their short yardage back AND their backup TE with upside. Even if healthy, I’m not so sure Vaughn contributes this season with the log jam at safety.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My hopes are still high for Dinkins. I thought it was a good move when they made it. But he’s been injured most of preseason, and they aren’t saying anything about it. If he makes the cut, great. If not, I hope they look for another guy from that mold.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kolo Kapanui, one of the two Saints players dismissed for reportedly urinating in public earlier in the offseason, was recently released by the Bengals. If they could move past that incident, he’d actually be a real nice fit at TE. He’s one of those big rambling types, who looks more like a guard playing out of position, but he can catch. I didn’t really understand the big deal they made out of it at the time. I mean seriously, how many guys haven’t taken a leak outside? Especially in their early 20s. Yeah, let’s get those cancers out here pronto, but give P.J. Hill a shot to make up for his DUI. Silly ass politics.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In downtown N.O.

urinating in public is virtually a tourist attraction in its own right.
As far as the player is concerned, that seems like a real possibility. If they were interested once, maybe they’ll look his way again. I think they have to go with somebody that has at least some kind of starting experience though.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'll keep Rhodes

till at least week 4 since Lynch has a 4 game suspension and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with just Jackson as the main RB without some proven help like Rhodes.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Sep 5, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well they didn't

That’s the mind-boggling part. Maybe they think he’ll still be around in a week, but seems like a longshot.

by FuSoYa on Sep 5, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i see that now

wondery why they didnt keep him.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Sep 5, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because Omon has looked so good in preseason (including against the Saints) and is like 6 years younger.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And likely much cheaper.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another eyebrow raiser

Kory Lichtensteiger has been cut by the Broncos. He was the 2nd rated center in last year’s draft, a definite area of need for the Saints. Lichtensteiger was a beast of a player at Bowling Green. Don’t know the full story on the release, he may have just had problems adapting to Denver’s zone blocking scheme. In any case, both he and Ben Wilkerson (former LSU player) are now UFAs.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 12:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We need centers and running backs, agreed..

But we also need more depth at the tight end position and defensive ends wouldn’t hurt either.. I’m really starting to get scared :(

by AKAY47 on Sep 5, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Harrington is...

gone

Just get the D going!

by FrenchFreak on Sep 5, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My opinions

1. Release Roby. What really looks good about him returning kickoffs. He had one kickoff that was returned 62 yards. He has 0 TDs returning kicks and only 1 as a receiver. He averaged 24 yards on returns last year. Nothing spectacular that Mike Bell or another backup WR/RB couldn’t do. Cut him and Green.
2. Hope that Watson gets released from the Pats so we could hopefully pick him up.
3. If you want a 4th running back(i don’t) then i’d say keep hamilton. If we don’t keep him, well there will be plenty of other players we could pick up along the way if we needed to.
4. Keep Torrence and Gorrer.
5. Get rid of Chris Reis. Again, we could find someone to take his place if need be. Malcom Jenkins maybe( i think he’s been learning the playbook for CB first and safety too.
6. Bump Mitchell, keep Casillas and Evans, possibly even Waters.

We definetly need to try to find a good center and a decent backup TE for Shockey. I am ok with Brunell as our QB. He’ll be like Kerry Collins but more able to win the game. He will be trying to get 1 or 2 TDs on the board and let our D do the rest mostly but if need be, I think he could drive the field quickly.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Sep 5, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather see Arrington gone than Roby. Agree with you on a 4th RB. I don’t think it’s pressing. Like Torrence, have seen very little in Gorrer. Like Casillas. Don’t want to get rid of Mitchell at all. I’d rather see Evans and/or Waters go. Would take Kerry Collins over Brunell as a backup any day. Agreed on the center and backup TE. Would love to land Watson (was he the one NE cut?), but so would about 6 or 7 other teams.

"It feels like a tiny prick " -Reggie Bush

by coldpizza on Sep 5, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs