Players on the chopping block make final push to be on Saints 53-man roster

METAIRIE, La. (BRPROUD) — With roster cuts looming, the Saints final preseason game against the Texans is kind of like a final exam for players who are trying to make the 53-man roster.

Players like running back Ellis Merriweather and wide receiver Shaq Davis have splashed in both preseason games so far. Merriweather, an undrafted free agent from UMass, has 41 yards on 14 attempts in the Saints first two preseason games. He also has racked up 43 receiving yards on six catches and a touchdown in New Orleans’ game against the Chiefs.

Davis, an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State, has made impressive catches in training camp practices and has accumulated 83 receiving yards on five catches in the Saints’ first two preseason games.

They hope that those plays combined with consistency in practice, give them an edge to make the final roster.

“Just making the most of my opportunities,” Davis said. “Every time I get a chance to go on the field. You know, in my position, I’m coming in undrafted. So opportunities don’t come as a lot of guys. So just going out to perform every time I get a chance to whatever is going to get me on the roster, I’ll do whatever. Special teams is a big step. So I like special teams.”

“I’ve been counted out,” Merriweather said. “I was picked at last. So, every single day I come on the field, it’s about showing and proving that I belong, you know, once again, just taking the coaching points, being able to show that I can respond, I’m coachable. The third preseason game, I just want to show that I’ve grown from the last two. That’s all I want to do. I’ve been able to show I can pass kids and able to show I can run a physical. Now I just want to put it all together. I just want more opportunities really, to show that I can help. I can do some good things in that pass protection, too.”

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Thursday following practice he expects the Saints to make most of their roster cuts Tuesday, Aug. 29, which is the NFL’s deadline date for teams to get their roster down to 53.