While the city of New Orleans had been hyperventilating at the thought of the return of professional football, most of Friday night's preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers was about as anticlimactic as "Watch the Throne." Sloppy play by both offenses early on appeared to drive a significant portion of the Superdome crowd to the French Quarter before halftime.

There were, however, a few under-the-radar Saints whose play went a long way toward strengthening their claim on New Orleans’ final 53-man roster. With an abbreviated training camp and potentially the deepest roster in franchise history, preseason snaps are at an all-time premium for bubble players looking to make an impression.

The star and story of the night was Joe Morgan, an undrafted rookie receiver out of Walsh University, who brought back the first punt of the second quarter 78 yards for a touchdown. Though Morgan wasn’t particularly impressive on his five other punt return opportunities, his touchdown run showed excellent speed and vision.

"I really didn’t think I was going to score at first," Morgan said. "After I got out to the edge, the first thing I saw was the kicker, and they tell you if the kicker tackles you, don’t even go back to the bench."

For Morgan, it was a good thing 49ers kickoff man Andy Lee could have a second career as a matador. The first four spots on New Orleans' receiving depth chart are as solidified as any position on the team, with the names Marquis Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson written in at least thick black ink if not carved in stone. Adrian Arrington was probably the favorite for the fifth and likely final receiver roster spot, but the Michigan product does not play special teams and has missed significant time this training camp with a left ankle injury. With Reggie Bush in Miami, the Saints could use a potent punt return threat.

"I think from a return standpoint, he has demonstrated in the early part of practices, I think you guys may have had a chance to see his speed, he runs well,” coach Sean Payton said after the game. "Every year, and I mention this to the group of them, but every year a team has someone who returns a punt or a kick for a touchdown and opens eyes and he did that tonight. He has exceptional speed and balance. He has transitioned well in his first year without any of the off-season."

The other player to gain serious roster traction was defensive tackle Tom Johnson, who had spent the previous two seasons in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders. Johnson was all over the field early on, and despite registering only one solo tackle, was a frequent visitor to the San Francisco backfield, making life difficult for 49ers rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Johnson also saw a number of snaps with the Saints first defensive unit in third-down nickel packages.

“I felt real good out there, just knocking off the jitters for the first time, getting out there on the big stage,” Johnson said. “Once the first play was over with, I was feeling good about things.”

Though other defensive tackles like Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin made the off-season headlines, Johnson's ability to collapse the pocket was a major contributing factor to the New Orleans defense registering six sacks on the night. Sedrick Ellis, who has been a fixture on the Saints defensive front since being drafted in 2008, was impressed.

"Tom Johnson did really well. He has really good movement," Ellis said. "He comes in on our nickel and really helps us out. I’m excited to play with him. As an extra three-technique lineman, I think we compliment each other in that way. Hopefully everything goes alright with him.”

Unfortunately for Johnson, his night was cut a bit short by a stained calf just before halftime. Though the injury doesn’t appear serious, he probably would have benefited from more snaps against a porous San Francisco offensive line.

"I felt like I was just warming up," Johnson said. "The coaches have seen me in practice, hitting those guys, but in a game it's a totally different thing, having to deal with the pressure and everything. I think my day was shortened and I had a lot more to show."

Both Morgan and Johnson will get another chance to bolster their resume next week when the Saints head to Houston to take on the Texans.

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-- NICK PERUFFO
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