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Fortunately for the Saints and us fans, there aren't really too many negatives to take away from the Saints 17-10 win over the Cardinals Sunday night. Most everyone put forth a quality effort, including quite a few young players that are currently on the roster bubble.
So let's take a look, shall we, and see just who helped and who hurt themselves in the first preseason game of the 2012 season.
Travaris Cadet
8 catches, 80 yards
The rookie running back surprised everyone with his stellar performance Sunday night. Unfortunately for Cadet, the Saints are stacked at running back and it's going to be incredibly difficult to squeeze his way on the roster. Even as a receiver he faces an uphill climb. If he continues playing like this during preseason, however, he'll surely land on the practice squad.
Adrian Arrington
DNP
This is going to piss off a lot of those annoyingly hopeful Saints fans who thought Adrian Arrington was the second coming of Jerry Rice but I've got to say it: the Era of Arrington appears to be over. Arrington is now battling an unexpected knee injury. If he can't recover quickly and play this preseason, he won't make the roster.
Martez Wilson
1.5 sacks, 2 tackles
I'm just gonna go on record now and make the bold prediction that this guy's gonna be the Saints most valuable defensive player of the year. Mark it, Donny! He was the player of the game on defense and it's giving me the impression that he is loving his new DE position. Let's see if he keeps it up and proves me right or falls flat and make a fool of me.
Tyrunn Walker
1 sack, 5 tackles
I think I follow this dude on Twitter. Other than that, the undrafted rookie free agent from Tulsa was never on my radar. But he is now. Walker made the most of his playing time later in the game. Could this guy be the surprise talent among the undrafted rookie free agent class this year? There's always at least one.
Andy Tanner
4 catches, 75 yards
Like Travaris Cadet, a tough road lies ahead for Tanner to make this roster simply because of all the wide receiver talent ahead of him. Putting together performances like the one he managed Sunday night doesn't hurt, though. He's still practice squad eligible so I think that's where he ends up for another year.