The final roster cuts for the 2008 season are on Saturday. The New Orleans Saints, like every other team, cut their roster down to 75 players on Tuesday.
But some jobs are safer than others. And some players are locks to be forgotten by Sunday.
In the first part of Saintsinsider.com’s series on New Orleans’ current roster, we profile which players will definitely make the team — and which ones definitely won’t.
THE LOCKS
Quarterback: Drew Brees, Mark Brunell, Tyler Palko.
Why: All three have provided steady play during the preseason. No reason to change that now.
Running back: Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, Pierre Thomas, Aaron Stecker.
Why: While some might think McAllister is on the bubble, I think the Saints will keep him as he continues to strengthen his knee. The other three backs can consider their jobs safe.
Fullback: Mike Karney, Olanyi Sobomehin.
Why: They’re the only two fullbacks on the roster. Unless the Saints find a more suitable backup on the waiver wire, Sobomehin is safe.
Wide receiver: Marques Colston, David Patten, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson.
Why: Meachem has done enough this preseason to be considered at least the No. 4 wide receiver. Patten is a wily veteran that provides stability to the entire corps.
Tight end: Jeremy Shockey, Mark Campbell, Billy Miller.
Why: It’s hard to see the Saints going in any different direction than these three veterans.
Offensive line: Jonathan Goodwin, Jahri Evans, Jamar Nesbit, Carl Nicks, John Stinchcomb, Jamaal Brown.
Why: There is room for at least two more players here. Nicks has had a solid preseason and will be an immediate backup when the regular season begins.
Defensive line: Charles Grant, Will Smith, Bobby McCray, Brian Young, Hollis Thomas, Sedrick Ellis.
Why: Thomas should be back by October, meaning Ellis will likely start at under tackle. McCray is valuable depth behind Grant and Smith. Young should be ready to go full-tilt at the start of the regular season.
Linebacker: Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle, Mark Simoneau.
Why: These four vets are about as solid as you’ll find in the NFL.
Defensive back: Tracy Porter, Jason Craft, Randall Gay, Mike McKenzie, Roman Harper, Kevin Kaesviharn, Josh Bullocks.
Why: The unit could be a work in progress into the regular season. It’s too important to the Saints to get it right after last year’s issues on the back row of the defense.
Special teams: Steve Weatherford (punter), Kevin Houser (long snapper).
Why: Weatherford is a solid punter. Houser has handled the long-snapping duties capably this preseason.
As for who won’t be around next week, I believe that, for sure, these players will be cut — CB Usama Young, CB Greg Fassitt, DE Jeremy Geathers, OL Isaiah Ross, RB Lynell Hamilton, S David Roach, OT Brian Stamper, TE Buck Ortega.
After that, who knows?
Want to find out who the Saints’ “Bubble Boys” are? Find out by clicking right here.
Matthew Postins is the editor and publisher of Saintsinsider.com.