Hometown heroes face uphill battle to make Saints roster

Everyone loves to see the local hero make good at the highest level. Those scenarios always make for good stories.

There have been many hometown heroes from South Louisiana to make it with the New Orleans Saints in franchise history.

The names (and there are plenty) include Kenderick Allen, Ashley Ambrose, Brett Bech, Fred Booker, Ken Bordelon, Delvin Breaux, Warren Capone, Rusty Chambers, Jake Delhomme, Al Dodd, Jubilee Dunbar, Karl Dunbar, Gill Fenerty, John Fourcade, Keith Fourcade, P.J. Franklin, Hokie Gajan, Randall Gay, Talman Gardner, Howard Green, Earl Gros, Greg Harding, Bobby Hebert, Devery Henderson, Ray Hester, Dalton Hilliard, Tom Hodson, Sam Holden, Tyrone Hughes, Garland Jean-Batiste, Buford Jordan, Eddie Kennison, Derek Lewis, Keenan Lewis, Michael Lewis, Michael Mauti, Remi Prudhomme, Rusty Rebowe, Nicky Savoie, Malcolm Scott, Jim Taylor, Bennie Thompson, Dwight Walker and John Wood.

Of course, there are others from other parts of the state as well who have played for the Saints.

There are five players with south Louisiana roots currently with the franchise.

Cameron Tom saw his prospects looking good until a setback with a shoulder injury early in training camp. The former Catholic High-Baton Rouge standout played at Southern Miss. Tom’s versatility to be able to play center or guard is a plus in his quest to make it. He was a good pickup a year ago by New Orleans.

Will Clapp is smart enough and physically capable of playing in the league and has the added ability of being able to play center and guard. The former Brother Martin and LSU star was a bargain in the seventh round but he is in a numbers game with a deep, talented Super Bowl contender.

Whether Clapp makes the roster or not, look for Clapp to be around, either on the active roster or the practice squad.

Boston Scott starred at Zachary before waiting his turn and blossoming at Louisiana Tech. Despite being small, Scott is strong. He was a state champion at Zachary in weightlifting. Scott’s quickness, change of direction and elusiveness gives him a chance to stick with the Saints.

With a host of veteran running backs vying for spots on the roster along with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, Scott’s chances may rest with his ability to win a job returning kicks.

The addition of Shane Vereen hurt his chances as Vereen is the passing down back every team needs and is a proven commodity. Scott is another who figures to be here, one way or another. If the Saints fear losing him by passing him through waivers, they may use a roster spot to retain him.

Arthur Maulet debuted in the league a year ago, playing in six games for New Orleans.

The former Bonnabel star who played at Memphis has made an impression. His speed gives him a chance to stick behind Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley and Patrick Robinson. He is competing with P.J. Williams, Natrell Jamerson, Kamrin Moore, Justin Hardee and Chris Banjo for roster spots in the secondary, joining safeties Kurt Coleman, Marcus Williams and Vonn Bell.

Unfortunately, Travin Dural broke a bone in his arm early in camp and was placed on the reserved/injured list. The former Breaux Bridge and LSU star faces a long road back to try to stick at a crowded position with the Saints.

It is a long shot that five of the Hometown Heroes will make the final 53-man roster. It is an outside possibility that three will do so. It is conceivable that two could end up sticking. It is likely that one of the five will find a spot on a good to very good team.

Sometimes, players simply are not good enough to crack the elusive, elite rosters of NFL teams. On other occasions, it is a matter of luck. Then, there is the injury factor. Finally, it is simply about being in the right place at the right time, with a team that may not be as good or at a position on a team that is not well stocked.

All five of these hometown heroes are capable of making NFL rosters. Will that happen in New Orleans?