Wide receiver is the most hotly contested position at Saints training camp.
After his staff reviewed video of Thursday night’s 7-6 loss at New England, interim coach Joe Vitt assessed the prospects of three players competing for final roster spots.
- Courtney Roby:, The gunner on special teams hasn't caught a pass in a regular-season game since 2009, but he helped himself the most in Thursday's game with four receptions for 54 yards. “There’s no doubt,” Vitt said. “Courtney Roby is an elected captain on our team and he’s an outstanding special-teams player. His contributions are chronicled and documented. He just ups his value to our team with the way he’s running his routes this year and the way he’s catching the ball cleanly and the way he’s running after the catch.”
- Joe Morgan: Vitt was less complimentary of Morgan, who spent last season on injured reserve with a torn ACL after going undrafted. The speedy Morgan drew a 46-yard interference penalty to set up a field goal against New England and also dropped a pass and had only one catch for seven yards. “He stands right where he did to start training camp,” Vitt said. “It’s an ongoing process. Joe can make some tough catches and then Joe drops some easy catches. We’re looking for a dependable, stable accountable person day in and day out.”
- Andy Tanner: The undrafted free agent had four catches for 45 yards after making seven grabs for 75 yards against Arizona in the Hall of Fame Game. Tanner was on the Saints' practice squad last year. “He’s stable, dependable and what we think is a durable player,” Vitt said. “He can really work the middle seams of the zones. He gets clean releases from the slot position, has outstanding ball skills and understands how to read defenses.”
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.
