Saints cut 4 players, RB Thomas safe for now

Former Illinois running back Pierre Thomas, a long-shot to make New Orleans’ roster even after his standout performance at Kansas City last week, remained with the Saints on Sunday even as four other players were released.

Reserve quarterback Jason Fife, linebacker Desmond Sims, cornerback Joe Porter and wide receiver Aaron Hosack were cut, meaning head coach Sean Payton had three more cuts to make by Tuesday, the deadline to trim NFL rosters to 75.

After the Saints’ final preseason game against Miami on Thursday night, Payton will have two days to trim the roster down to 53 for the regular season.

“They say it’s a tough business and you never know what’s going to happen,” Thomas said. “I’m going to do my job. I’m going to practice hard this whole week, give these guys what they need to get ready for the (Miami) game, go into the game with my head up and do the best job I can.”

Thomas, who ranks sixth in Illinois history with 2,545 rushing yards, appeared to be one of the more expendable players on New Orleans’ preseason roster when training camp opened.

Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister split most carries, leaving few rushing opportunities for whoever is next in line.

Last year, veteran Aaron Stecker was the third running back and likely will be again. The Saints also traded up during the fourth round of the NFL draft to take former Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman.

Thomas, a rookie signed as an undrafted free agent, arrived at camp with little hope of doing much more than filling out the expanded preseason roster and possibly compiling a highlight or two from whatever carries he got during preseason games.

Last Thursday night in Kansas City, he rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 carries. Thomas hopes another strong performance this Thursday night, combined with his contributions on special teams, will persuade the Saints to keep him around. But even if they don’t, Thomas knows that scouts from teams around the NFL will have seen his performance last week, which also included a slashing 32-yard run down the middle of the field.

“Coming out of that game, I feel great,” Thomas said. “I played to a potential I know I can play at and showed everybody else what I can play at. I hope a lot of people pick up on that, showing that I can play in this league, that I do have the talent and the potential to play at this level.”

When asked for his reaction to Thomas’ performance against the Chiefs, Payton could have downplayed it, given that Thomas lined up against Kansas City’s reserves during the final few series of a 30-7 New Orleans victory.

But the coach’s answer indicated that he appreciated Thomas’ attitude and effort throughout preseason.

“He’s done a good job and did some things in that game that were impressive,” Payton said.

Thomas would stand a better chance of surviving final cuts on a team that needs help at running back, rather than one splitting time between two of the best backs in the game. But he couldn’t resist the chance to experience a training camp with Payton, the reigning NFL coach of the year, and be part of an organization that was one of the best stories in sports in 2006, he said.

“When I saw how deep they were, I saw it as a challenge to see if you can go in there with top-name guys in the NFL,” Thomas said. “It pushes me, because their level is where I want to be. I love playing for the Saints. Any way I can help them out, I’ll help them out, special teams, offense, it doesn’t matter.”

Thomas said, based on what coaches have told him, that he expects to at least survive the few cuts that must be made between now and Tuesday and play against Miami.

“They want to see what I can do, especially for this upcoming game,” he said. “I’m blessed just to be in this position, so any chance I get, I’m just blessed to have the opportunity.”

LIMPING RECEIVERS

Devery Henderson has been putting himself through increasingly vigorous workouts as he recovers from a hamstring pull during the Saints’ Aug. 10 preseason game against Buffalo.

Henderson said he might play this Thursday against Miami, but not if he feels at all below full speed.

“The main thing is just making sure I get healthy for whatever game I’m back and don’t re-aggravate my injury,” Henderson said. “I need to be in the best shape that I can be.”

Like Henderson, Marques Colston has missed the Saints’ past two preseason games. He has had two MRIs as doctors try to figure out what is causing his knee soreness. Colston has said there is no sign of structural damage in his knee joint and that he probably could play if it were the regular season, but that there was no reason for him to risk worsening his condition in the preseason.

QUARTERBACKS SITUATION

Reserve quarterback Tyler Palko likely has at least one more game to look forward to now that he’s one of only three quarterbacks left on the Saints’ roster.

Many teams carry three quarterbacks, although Payton often carried only two -Drew Brees and Jamie Martin – on the active roster for much of last season. Therefore, Palko could end up being waived during final cuts and then placed on the practice squad if no one else claims him off of waivers.

Palko said he isn’t sure what the coaching staff’s plans are for him in the coming game against the Dolphins, but he said whatever time he gets behind center Thursday night will benefit him.

“It’s invaluable – this game experience that you’re getting as a young quarterback – getting a chance to play, call the plays, get a couple quarters under your belt, be in real game situations, so that’s priceless and I’m just looking forward to it,” he said.

Pierre Thomas lunges for a touchdown in the second half of the Saints 30-7 victory over the Chiefs last week. (Photo by ED ZURGA

• AP)

Ed Zurga