The 2011 Saints roster was mixed with a few exceptions. Some players are expected back in the starting lineup while others are not. Drew Brees and Darren Sproles have been the most popular choices, but there are still some question marks. This article will take a look at some of the key players and how they fit into the team’s overall plan. Also, we’ll discuss the future of Darren Sproles and Lance Moore.
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Drew Brees
The New Orleans Saints have filed a roster report for the upcoming 2011 season. Drew Brees won’t be joining the Saints’ team for the first-time since 2005, despite their roster being among the best in league. Drew Brees is expected to return, but wide receiver Michael Thomas was injured and was placed on injured reserve. Another newcomer, Deonte Harris, was recently signed to a contract.
With a 13-0 record, the New Orleans Saints finished first in the NFC South and the NFL. They scored 547 points and surrendered 339. Drew Brees was the Saints’ quarterback with his explosive arm. He threw for 5,087 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only a few interceptions. Drew Brees set an NFL record with 70.7 percent completions and earned a passer rating (108.3) for his amazing performance.
Drew Brees is still flexible despite being injured. He could be eligible to play in the playoffs. There are five Saints who could make it to the Pro Bowl if he doesn’t. One of them, Taysom Hill, is currently dealing with a foot injury, so he’ll be a mainstay in the rotation against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mark Ingram
After spending his first eight NFL season with the New Orleans Saints in 2008, Mark Ingram was traded to the Houston Texans on October 29. Ingram has been the primary running back in three games. In those games, Ingram has rushed for 233 yards on 55 carries and caught 18 passes for 130 more yards. Ingram broke Deuce MacAllister’s record for franchise rushing yards in his second game with Saints.
With Kamara sidelined with a knee injury, the Saints need another running back to relieve some of the pressure off of quarterback Trevor Siemian. While the Saints have some experience at running back, the four players on the roster have combined for just 586 carries in the NFL. Their No. 1 option, Mark Ingram, is expected to be the case. 1 option, has the fewest career carries among the four.
The Saints need a running back after they cut Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman during the final round of roster cuts. While the backup running back Tony Jones Jr. is on injured reserve, Ingram is a viable option for a backup role. Gardner-Johnson is likely retain Ingram’s number. 22 jersey. The Ravens will save $5 million off their 2021 salary cap by keeping Ingram on the roster.
Lance Moore
If you’re a football fan, you’re probably wondering whether or not Lance Moore should be on the Saints’ roster. Moore was a standout player in the Saints’ offense for eight years, but his production has plummeted dramatically since then. His best season came in 2012 when he racked up 65 receptions for 1,041 yards and 38 touchdowns. His production also suffered after the NFL relaxed the celebration rules. Moore may have had to rethink his retirement and return to football. The former wideout is also known for his dependability and reliability. Moore was not only a star at Toledo, but he is now a regular on the Saints’ field.
Moore spent two seasons with the Cleveland Browns in 2005 and the Steelers in 2006. He was not drafted from Toledo in 2005. In his final year, he was briefly considered by the Atlanta Falcons. In addition to returning to the Saints, Moore spent a year with the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Moore retired last August. Moore has not been forgotten by the Saints this season.
Darren Sproles
Darren Sproles, despite a disappointing year last year, is still a valuable asset to the Saints. The pass-catching back played just well enough to land on the team’s 53-man roster, hauling in 71 passes for 604 yards while rushing for a mere 220 yards on 53 carries. The Saints may trade him despite his disappointing season.
Darren Sproles is a former running back and return specialist who began his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers. Originally a fourth-round pick, he spent five seasons with the team before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2014. Drew Brees, his former teammate, was his New Orleans Saints signee. He put up impressive numbers in the passing game and reunited with him. While playing for the Saints, he was injured and returned to the Philadelphia Eagles, resulting in a re-signing.
The Saints have only minimal cap space in 2014, so trading Darren Sproles may not be a realistic option for the team. The veteran would run the Saints around $3.5 million in 2014. This means that they’d have the most salary cap space if they traded him. However, a deal for Sproles may be a better option than trading Thomas. After all, he is only 30 years old and a top-four receiving threat. The Saints don’t have a clear replacement.
Jeremy Shockey
The move to replace former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey on the Saints’ roster may surprise many. Shockey was traded by the Saints for two draft picks, and a second-rounder. This move is a major upgrade for the Saints but it could also change the balance of power within the NFC South. Although the Saints didn’t mention that they were seeking a salary cut from Shockey they thanked him for his contributions over the past three seasons. They also acknowledged that they were not paying the player like a starter. Shockey’s decision might be a sign that the Saints are changing their mindset and are trying to find a new starting spot for a more suitable position.
According to reports, the trade was completed over the weekend. The New Orleans Saints attempted to broker a deal to include Shockey as part of the deal for Jason Taylor, the Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver. However, the Giants refused to let Taylor discuss the trade because they did not want to involve the former tight end in the transaction. It was a mystery for quite some time, but it seems to be working out in end.
Jeremy Poole
According to reports, the New Orleans Saints have reached a deal with Brian Poole, a free-agent cornerback. Although the details of the deal are not yet available, Poole will likely join team in the coming days. He has spent his first five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets, and he had a productive career despite going undrafted out of Florida. During his time with the Falcons, Poole established himself as one of the top slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately, last year, Poole sustained a season-ending shoulder injury, which prevented him from playing a full season.
Other players on the team with experience playing in the NFL include QB Matt Leinart and TE Brian Banks. Other names include OT Zebrie, CB Terrence Johnson and TE Dominique Curry. OG Hayworth Higgins and LB Matt Kopa are also included. The Saints also waived CB Trevard Lindley and RB Rolen Wingo. RB Taulib Ikharo and TE Zach Pianalto were also released from the active roster.
Jeff Charleston
The Saints have announced that they have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defensive end Jeff Charleston. The former Saints backup defensive end has been a reliable backup defensive end over the past three seasons, and he is expected to continue that trend in 2011. Charleston is a solid special team player, having accumulated three sacks as well as two forced fumbles. He was also a member of special teams. Charleston will have to battle for a spot with Jared Allen, D’Aundre Reed, and Brian Robison.
The 6-4, 265-pound defensive tackle is a fifth-year veteran. He joined the Saints in the middle of the 2008 season after playing for the Indianapolis Colts in preseason. He has recorded 61 tackles, six sacks, two pass defenses, a forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He has also been involved in 22 special team tackles. Charleston made his debut in 2010 and he had 35 tackles. He also had one fumble recovery, and two pass defenses. He played in five playoff games and recorded 12 tackles.
Remi Ayodele
If you want to bet that Remi Ayodele will make the Saints roster, you have to bet on him. He has been in the NFL for several years, but his time with the Saints coincided with the bounty investigation. The NFL did not punish Ayodele for his role in that case. His presence on the roster makes him unlikely to be a starter.
Ayodele, who is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma was a member of the Saints’ practice squad for two seasons and was a starting defensive tackle in 2010. During his tenure with the Saints, he recorded 133 tackles, starting 29 games at nose tackle. He had a sack, two pass defenses, and a forced fumble during his first season. In his second season with the team, Ayodele played in four postseason games. He had previously played for the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens.
Ayodele signed with the Saints on a one-year contract. After three seasons with Dallas Cowboys, Ayodele signed with the New Orleans Saints in September 2008. He was part of the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl champion team and played seven games. He also played in all 16 games of 2010 and was part the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV champion team.