New Orleans Saints Make SURPRISING Roster Moves Ahead Of NFL Week 1

New Orleans Saints Make SURPRISING Roster Moves Ahead Of NFL Week 1

a surprising cut and I’m going to break it down here on Saints Now by Chat Sports. My name is Trizy Trace Gerard. Be sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and make sure your notifications are on because football is back, baby. We’re going live for Saints vers Cardinals week one on game day. Hope to see you guys there. So, they cut a player, they signed three. We’re going to start off with the cut and then transition to the roster additions. First, the Saints waved special teams ace JT Gray, which was a very, very surprising move. He signed with New Orleans back in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State. And he’s been really, really effective for the black and gold, a two-time first team allpro, and he’s a pro bowler. And during his career with the New Orleans Saints, seven seasons, played just 153 defensive snaps at safety, but he was excellent on special teams. I do think that this is a very, very shocking move. And from what I understand, reports out there are suggesting that he has not been offered a spot on the practice squad, but he should be getting a lot of calls and getting a lot of interest across the league. Now, what does this mean? How does this impact the Saints? Why did Kell Moore do this? Let’s start off with the why. Kellen Moore saying this was one of the hardest things that he’s had to do so far. It was a challenging move. He’s a really good special teams player and he’s a really, really good player. And at the end of the day, this comes down to roster flexibility. It was not related to that injury that he suffered. Remember, he was dealing with a hamstring injury uh earlier in the summer during training camp. And now that he’s healthy, that’s not a factor here. According to head coach Kell Moore, uh the challenge of the injury was that it limited his exposure in training camp to the roster and to this coaching staff. So ultimately the New Orleans Saints decide to part ways with a player who’s been extremely effective and one of the big bright spots in one of the few bright spots for this team over the last few years. Now, when it comes to the future, because we have to look ahead here, it does make me think that there is a lot of faith in some of this young talent. You know, the Saints did yet draft Jonas Sanker, and he had a phenomenal preseason. He was making plays, not just on the defensive side of football, but also in special teams, too. Jordan Hen, he was been making some noise as well. and he’s been a player that started off his NFL career making some noise and then kind of slowed down, was a little bit more quiet, but you know, in my opinion, I think he’s done a fine job of being a special teams guy, being a safety that can be uh rotated in. And, you know, even Rajan Wright comes to mind. Like, I think all three of those guys are not just contributors on the defensive side of the football, but can also be heavily uh involved on special teams, too. you know, like with Jonas Sanker specifically, um I thought that he has been a really really impressive player and I think that when you talk about where Kell Moore, where Brandon Staley, where Mickey Lumis are taking this team, they’re emphasizing, you know, making your own roster, but they’re also leaning heavily on the guys that have had reps. Like, you know, for example, you look at the quarterback room, Isaac Yadam is listed as a starter over Quincy Riley, and that is because the Saints decided to side with the experience there. So, I’m shocked that the New Orleans Saints did end up moving on from JT Gray. Um, like I said, they made a couple of roster additions, and I’m going to tell you about those guys here in a little bit. Um, but at the end of the day, like this is going to be a a loss and I do think that you’re gonna notice JT Gray’s presence missing early in the season, but hopefully the guys like I mentioned, Jonas Sanker, Jordan Howd, and Rajan Wright, but then some of those other guys that can be contributors as well, um, can be effective and can can make some noise on special teams. You know, when you talk about the depth in the safety room, I mean, obviously you have Justin Reed, Julian Blackman as your starters, but Jordan How and Yonas Sanker, those are your backups. and then Ugo Amati, Alante Taylor. Obviously, I don’t think you’re going to see much of Alante Taylor on special teams, but you could see a healthy dosage of Ugo Amati in there because he has been a playmaker and by no means has he been the best backup nickel in the world, but he has been somewhat reliable and he’s been a player that has at least earned the trust of the Saints coaching staff. Um, which is evident by the fact that he continues to be brought back on the roster. Rajan Wright, Isaac Yadam, uh Quincy Riley, Kool-Aid McKinstry. You have those guys around as well. Rico Payeyton, he is now with the New York Giants on their practice squad, so he is no longer available. But in terms of corners, you have Jaden Price. I could see him being a elevation on game day. He was more of a returner, but he contributed a lot during special teams. Dallas Beanum also um could potentially be a contributor. Terrell Burgess and Ellias and Elliot Davidson. Those two guys, oh I should say those four guys are all on the practice squad. We’re going to talk about the additions to the roster here in just one moment. But first got to tell you about today’s presenting sponsor and that is prize picks. Go went ahead and uh cooked up a little lineup for this week. Wanted to just share it with you. Kind of hard to read it. Sorry, but uh you know still wanted to let you guys know. 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Now, let’s talk about the three guys the New Orleans Saints brought in. For what it’s worth, emphasis on these are practice squad additions. The New Orleans Saints have signed quarterback transition to wide receiver Tommy Malot, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, uh, Montana State. Linebacker, IU Leota, he has also been signed. And defensive tackle Kazaya Izzard. We’re going to start off with the offensive side of the football. I want to talk Tommy Malot, aka Tommy Football, aka friend of Chat Sports, has been on the Raiders Report. Shout out to Mitchell Ren. Now, what do you need to know about Tommy Malot? Dare I say he’s an ex Taesm Hill? I don’t. But it is, you know, something to talk about. This is a player who at Montana State was a quarterback. Um, he had some pretty decent numbers. 63.7 career completion percentage, 6,000 co total yards. 2016 for what it’s worth. 55 touchdowns, eight interceptions, a rating of 161.9. I mean, the dude has passing numbers, but listen to this, ladies and gentlemen. Two seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards. He had a grand total of 488 carries, 3,517 yards, 43 touchdowns, an average of 7.2 yards per carry, and a long of 76 yards. Also can contribute as a receiving guy. Uh, three total catches, 20 yards, and a touchdown. Um, you know, when I when I consider Tommy Malot and I consider Taesm Hill and I think about the word versatility, um, those those are things that are very very good indicators of a player potentially having a role. If they can do multiple things, then that is a player who could carve out a role and could carve out an opportunity for the New Orleans Saints. He was um transitioned over to the wide receiver position this off season, was a sixthround pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Ultimately, the obviously did not keep him around, but 5’11, 200 lb, insane athleticism, had a 41 inch vertical leap, 10 point or a 10’4 inch broad jump, um 4.39 40 yard dash. The guy’s explosive. The guy is an athlete. Um very versatile, very multiple type player. I’m not going to sit here and say he’s the next Taesm Hill because that’s not a fair expectation and quite frankly that’s unfair to Taesm Hill. But what I will say is I think that this is a really exciting weapon and a really exciting tool for Kell Moore to utilize and you know the longer he sticks around in New Orleans and shows that he can do a lot of different things. I think that Kell Moore could really really get excited and really creative with this player. And if I think about a team that knows how to utilize the versatility and the ridiculous amounts of skills that a singular football player has, the New Orleans Saints are a team that makes a lot of sense for Tom Tommy Malot considering the success that Taesm Hill has had with the black and gold. Again, I’m not saying he will be the next Taesm Hill. I’m just saying this is a guy who can do a lot of different things. He can contribute in a lot of different ways on the offensive side of the football. And for Kell Moore, a guy who is a offensive guru, a very creative play caller, somebody who likes to tap into and appeal to the strengths of the roster that he has been given, that is an addition that I’m really, really excited about. Really eager to see what he’s capable of doing. And you know, for what it’s worth, I wish that he was around during the preseason. I think it would have been fun to see what he could do um on the roster, but he is on the practice squad as well as Iku Leota and Kziah Izzard. So, Iku Leota, he’s a linebacker, 26 years old, was with the Pittsburgh Steelers um to end last season and then this year’s training camp as well. So, he’s been around the Steel City, not black and gold, black and yellow, but you know, that’s a different entire video that we could have. uh he did in start his career in the NFC South was a UDFA out of Auburn for the Carolina Panthers back in 2023. Appeared in 11 games and um with uh and he he has uh one start I’m making sure I have my notes right. Yeah. Has 11 games, one start in two years with the Steelers and Panthers. One sack, six tackles for loss. Obviously practice squad edition. I don’t think that this is um you know any indicator of oh my god there’s you know some issues in the linebacker room. I actually think that that’s the position that I’m the most confident in for the New Orleans Saints. But um you know nonetheless a addition that has a little bit of experience. So you know it’s kind of nice to bring in more experience to the practice squad. I think that it only helps raise the overall talent level. Not saying that this is going to, you know, help you win a Super Bowl by any means. This does not at all move the needle in terms of wins and losses, but nonetheless still, I would say a, you know, okay addition. I don’t think that it’s really anything that moves the needle, good, bad, or ugly for me. Kaziah Izzard, uh, defensive lineman, 23 years old, undrafted free agent out of Penn State. He actually had pretty productive career, 51 total games, nine sacks, 17 and a half tackles per loss, and 78 total tackles. is a 6’3, 305 lb interior defensive lineman, uh, defensive tackle that spent time with the Chiefs and had four total tackles in three preseason games. So, the New Orleans Saints adding some depth, adding some talent to the practice squad. Right now, they are at a total of 17 players, and I will read you the entire practice squad. Starting off with offense, you got Cedric Wilson and Kevin Austin Jr. at wide receivers. You have offensive guard East Kilty, tight end Jack Stole, tight end Triton Welch. two quarterbacks, Jay Kainer and Hunter Deckers. And then defensive or the defensive side of the football, you have Fidil Diggs, Eco Leota, Jonah Williams, Kaziahard, Nephi Su, Jaden Price, Dallas Beanum, Terrell Burgess, Elliot Davidson, and Charlie Smith. And for what it’s worth, Our Lads, um I’m going to just be totally transparent. don’t know a ton about Iku Leota, but has him listed as an edge rusher, so you know, potentially contribute as an edge rusher, not a true offball linebacker, but you know, just wanted to kind of get you informed. I know that it’s a holiday. I know that it’s actually pretty late. Um, have been out and about, you know, celebrating the day off and kind of relaxing, enjoying my day with Maddie and dude. So, apologize for the late video, but still wanted to make sure I gave you guys content because Saints fans deserve the best coverage in the whole wide world. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you should subscribe. Get in the comment section too. Share your thoughts. What do you think about these moves? Do you agree with cutting JT grades? Do you like the uh practice squad additions? Share your thoughts. I want to hear from you, Hudat Nation. And we will be providing a lot of different content throughout the week. We got pre uh we got week one preview coming at you. We’ll have um all sorts of fun stuff. Going to be having a crazy week of content. So, I encourage you subscribe, turn on your notifications, give your boy a follow on social media, and y’all stay golden. It’s game week, ladies and gentlemen. We’ll see you next time. [Music]

SURPRISING New Orleans Saints news headlines this edition of Saints Now by Chat Sports after the Black and Gold CUT veteran J.T. Gray before Week 1 of the NFL season. Gray has been a staple of the Black and Gold for on the special teams side of the ball where he has been named an NFL All-Pro in the past. Along with cutting Gray, New Orleans did sign Tommy Mellott, Eku Leota and Coziah Izzard before Week 1 kicks off. Saints Now host Trizzy Trace Girouard is here to breakdown all of the roster moves the Saints made today as well as give his thoughts on J.T Gray’s release.

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Saints Waive J.T. Gray according to Nick Underhill of NOF Network:
– Signed w/ the Saints as a UDFA in 2018
– 2x 1st team All-Pro & Pro Bowler
– During his seven-year career with the Saints, Gray played a total of just 153 defensive snaps at safety. Where he excelled was on special teams.
– There must be some faith in some of the younger guys: Jonas Sanker, Jordan Howden, Rejzohn Wright come to mind
– Kellen Moore: “That was one of the hardest things so far this year. It was a challenging move, he’s a really good special teams player and a really good player,”
– Release came down to roster flexibility – was not related to the hamstring injury he had earlier in the summer.
– Gray is healthy now but the challenge of the injury was that it limited his exposure in training camp.

J.T. Gray’s career stats with the Saints (98 GP)
-103 TKL
– 2.5 SACKS
– 1 FF
– 1 FR
– 2 KICK BLKS

Since joining the Black and Gold in 2018 Gray has been one of the best in the NFL on the special teams side of the ball as he was named a First Team All-Pro in 2021 and a Second Team All-Pro in 2019 and 2024.

Tommy Mellot News:
– Dare I say he could be the next Taysom Hill?
– 2025 6th round pick by the Raiders out of Montana State
– Was a collegiate QB that turned to a WR this offseason
– Will compete for a role as a New Orleans wide receiver from the practice squad
– The 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds
– Incredible athleticism during pre-draft workouts: running a 4.39 in the 40, 41″ vertical leap, 10’4″ broad jump

Coziah Izzard News:
– 23, is an undrafted rookie from Penn State.
– 6-foot-3 and 305 pound defensive tackle
– Spent training camp with the Chiefs and had four tackles in three preseason games.
– During his collegiate career with Penn State, he had 9 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss among 78 total tackles in 51 games.

Eku Leota News:
– 26, was with the Pittsburgh Steelers to end last year and this year’s training camp
– Began his career as an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers out of Auburn in 2023
– Appeared in 11 games w/ one start over two years with the Steelers and Panthers, has a sack to go along with 6 tackles for loss.

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J.T Gray 2024 stats with New Orleans:
-12 TKL
– 1 FF
– 17 GP

If you like what you just watched, you’ll LOVE these Saints videos:
– INSIDE LOOK How The Saints Offense Can Find Success In The 2025 NFL Season https://youtu.be/ZFv3KbAJ-KA?si=YvgS54u4NwadO5Og
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– New Orleans Saints Starters For 2025 Entering Their Week 1 Game Against The Arizona Cardinals https://youtu.be/e3Y1eyKwsMw?si=gW5HRXQhHpqvHfef

Questions about Saints Football from today’s video:
– Do you agree with the decision to cut J.T. Gray?
– Will Tommy Mellot have a role on the Saints offense?
– WHO YA GOT? Saints vs. Cardinals

2024 Saints stats leaders (Defense):
– Demario Davis: 127 TKL, 2 SACK, 5 TFL, 6 PBU, 1 INT
– Pete Werner: 92 TKL, 0 SACK, 3 TFL, 1 PBU, 0 INT
– Alontae Taylor: 87 TKL, 4 SACK, 7 TFL, 16 PBU, 0 INT
– Will Harris: 66 TKL, 0 SACK, 2 TFL, 4 PBU, 1 INT
– Tyrann Mathieu: 60 TKL, 0 SACK, 1 TFL, 7. PBU, 3 INT
– Ugo Amadi: 58 TKL, 2 SACK, 5 TFL, 7 PBU, 0 INT

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