The 2012 preseason is officially in the books. With the ending of this part of the schedule, and the team shifting gears towards the regular season, roster moves and cuts had to be made. The downsizing from 75 players to 53 took place yesterday, providing the final roster that will take the field on September 9 against Washington, Week 1 of the NFL regular season. How exactly did the final roster take its current form?
QUARTERBACKS
In – Drew Brees, Chase Daniel
Out – Sean Canfield, Luke McCown
No surprises here. There was no way that Daniel could have lost his job as the backup quarterback, short of stealing Tom Benson’s golf cart at the Saints’ practice facility and trying to run over a random spectator. Even if he attempted that, he still would probably be the team’s second string option. Canfield has yet to really develop past a practice squad player for the Saints, and McCown seemed like a camp body that was destined for the waiver wire.
OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD
In – RBs Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet; FBs Jed Collins, Korey Hall
Injured Reserve – RB Joe Banyard
The core of Sproles, Thomas, Ingram, and Collins were shoe-ins through the entire preseason process. All four played huge roles in the offense a year ago, and all are integral to the team’s success.
The real surprise on this list (and maybe on the entire roster)? The addition of Cadet, a long shot to make the roster as an undrafted free agent. After an impressive training camp and preseason, Cadet proved to be a very nice asset for the Saints. Instead of cutting or trading Ivory, who is the next lowest man on the depth chart, the team decided to keep five running backs this season.
I really like this move. Cadet provides a pass catching skill set that, past Darren Sproles, is lacking in the backfield. He will provide a nice change of pace from the more physical running styles of Ingram and Ivory, keeping defenses off balance whenever he is in the backfield. Don’t expect Cadet to see significant playing time this season, but it speaks volumes to his ability when the team decides to keep an extra spot in an already crowded running back rotation.
TIGHT ENDS
In – Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Daniel Graham
Out – Michael Higgins, Derek Schouman
Graham and Thomas were the only known commodities at tight ends for the Saints heading into the 2012 season. Graham gives the offense a dynamic pass catching option that, besides New England, is unrivaled throughout the league. Thomas adds value both as a pass catcher and run blocker, all the while providing a important veteran presence.
Ten year veteran Daniel Graham was a late edition to the team, and there was somewhat of a question as to if he would make the team. He didn’t play much during the preseason, and the team had younger options in Derek Schouman and Michael Higgins, who saw time on the active roster late last season.
Nonetheless, Daniel Graham’s veteran presence outweighed the youth of Schouman and Higgins. If he is not picked up by another team, Higgins will probably be signed to the Saints‘ practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS
In – Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Adrian Arrington, Courtney Roby, Joe Morgan
Out – Andy Tanner, Greg Camarillo
Injured Reserve – Nick Toon
Wide receiver was the other position on the Saints’ roster that lacked depth clarity when training camp began. The core three of Colston, Moore, and Henderson were not going anywhere – that was the only certainty.
The Saints will keep six wide receivers on the initial roster in 2012. Joining the aforementioned “core three” will be veteran Adrian Arrington, return specialist Courtney Roby, and emerging deep threat Joe Morgan. All three will have ample opportunity to see the field this season, as the offense has a habit of rotating receivers in and out quite frequently.
The inclusion of Arrington and Morgan on the active roster does provide some information regarding the two players, mainly that (A) Arrington’s injury recovery won’t take as long as once thought, and (B) Morgan’s deep threat ability outweighs his inconsistencies as an overall player. The Saints obviously see more reward than risk in regards to Morgan. Other than Henderson, the Saints have no other true deep threat.
Nick Toon remains a bit of a question mark. In his lone preseason appearance against the Titans, Toon looked like he could contribute to the offense with a little more seasoning. The front office decided to place Toon on the injured reserve list, basically having the rookie receiver “redshirt” this year. He could, technically, still see the field in 2012; new rules in place this year allow for teams to move one player from the IR to the active roster eight weeks after that player is placed on the list. If the Saints were to suffer massive injuries to their receiving corps during the season, Toon could sneak on after Week 8.
OFFENSIVE LINE
In – Ts Jermon Bushrod, Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Marcel Jones; Gs Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen; C Brian De La Puente
Out – T Aderious Smmons; G DeOn’tae Pannell; C Matt Tennant
The only real surprise here? The release of C Matt Tennant, a fifth round selection by the Saints in 2010. He failed to live up to the hope that he would overtake the starting center position, and his inconsistency at the position was too much for the team to bear.
Taking his roster spot will be Eric Olsen, who was also a member of the 2010 draft. A sixth round selection of the Denver Broncos, Olsen brings more versatility to the offensive line (he can play both center and guard), and will fill in nicely in a backup role for New Orleans.
DEFENSIVE LINE
In – DTs Sedrick Ellis, Brodrick Bunkley, Akiem Hicks, Tom Johnson, Tyrunn Walker; DEs Cameron Jordan, Turk McBride, Martez Wilson, Junior Galette
Out – DT Alex Daniels; DE Braylon Broughton
Suspended List – DE Will Smith
The Saints’ defensive front boasts five defensive tackles, a commonality in a Steve Spagnuolo scheme. The deep rotation of defensive tackles will allow for situational substitutions and fresh legs throughout games. Included in the rotation is undrafted free agent Tyrunn Walker, who is originally from New Iberia and prepped at Westgate High School. Walker was extremely impressive during the preseason, causing havoc both as a run stuffer and interior pass rusher.
The defensive end group will be initially led by second year player Cameron Jordan, who is poised for a breakout year in 2012. He will shift from defensive end (in the team’s base defense) to defensive tackle (in passing situations), providing the team great versatility. He will be joined by veterans Turk McBride, Junior Galette, and the newly converted Martez Wilson, who will hopefully give the team a much needed speed edge rush.
DE Will Smith will be unavailable for the first four weeks of the season due to suspension. His departure creates a sizable (albeit temporary) gap along the Saints‘ defensive line. How will the defense respond? Expect a good rotation of Galette and Wilson as a way to hopefully replace some of Smith’s production.
LINEBACKERS
In – Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Scott Shanle, Jonathan Casillas, Will Herring, Barrett Ruud
Out – Lawrence Wilson, Kadarron Anderson, Ezra Butler
Suspended List – Ramon Humber
Lofton, Shanle, and Herring will most likely be the initial starting unit; Hawthorne should replace Herring when he returns from injury. Overall, the linebacking corps is in better shape than it was a year ago. Fans will find that Lofton is a more athletic version of Vilma, quickly erasing any doubt over the status of the middle linebacker position.
Barrett Ruud will instantly give New Orleans added depth, allowing for the defensive coaching staff to substitute players according to situation, similar to what will take place with the defensive line.
Casillas, when healthy, is a valuable player when defending the pass and rushing the passer. His speed makes him an ideal candidate for covering quicker tight ends and running backs. His injury history, however, has disallowed Casillas to make any true impact over his time as a Saint. If he can stay off of the trainer’s table in 2012, the Saints‘ linebacking corp will have even more flexibility.
SECONDARY
In – CBs Jabari Greer, Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick, Corey White, Elbert Mack; S Malcolm Jenkins, Roman Harper, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Jonathon Amaya
Out – S Jericho Nelson
Injured Reserve – CB Marquis Johnson, S Jose Gumbs
CB Jabari Greer should be good to go for Week 1 if everything remains on schedule, keeping the original starting tandem with Patrick Robinson intact. Nickel corner Johnny Patrick, who I was skeptical of at the beginning of training camp, has come along nicely during the past month and should fill in nicely in his new role.
The real surprise newcomer for this season is rookie Corey White. White, a 6’1” cornerback out of Samford that was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft, brings a physical presence to the dime cornerback package. With more teams shifting to multiple receiver sets, having great depth at cornerback has become paramount. White should see plenty of time this year at the dime, and could even fill in at safety (his actual position in college) if necessary.
Starting free safety Malcolm Jenkins enters his fourth season as a Saint at a bit of a crossroads. He has shown moments of absolute brilliance (his strip/takeaway from Roy Williams on Thanksgiving a few years ago immediately comes to mind), but has sometimes lacked consistency. Jenkins seems poised for a breakout season in 2012. Spagnuolo will allow Jenkins to freelance a little more than he did under Gregg Williams; Jenkins will not be called upon to blitz as much, nor cover the back half of the field due to the absence of a blitzing Roman Harper. All the pieces are aligned for Jenkins to shine this season, he just needs to take advantage.
Roman Harper, who is somewhat of a liability in pass coverage (just rewatch the 2010 Wild Card game against Seattle if you don’t believe me), will be called upon to offer run support and to cover slower tight ends and running backs. His help with stopping the run remains his greatest skill set, and Spagnuolo will use this to the defense’s advantage.
Backup safeties Abdul-Quddus and Amaya are competent backups, but nothing particularly special. They will fill in mostly on special teams and occasionally on three safety/prevent defensive sets, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the aforementioned Corey White sees at least some time in that capacity.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In – K Garrett Hartley, P Thomas Morstead, LS Justin Drescher
Out – K John Kasay
No arguments here. Hartley has a stronger leg, is a younger player, and would have been scooped up very quickly by another team if he was cut. Kasay is at the very tail end of his career, and might retire if he can’t find another opportunity this season.
