Saints Will See Some Familiar Faces In 2015 Opponents

S Isa Abdul-Quddus, RB Joique Bell, WR Lance Moore, DT Tyrunn Walker (Detroit Lions)
The Detroit Lions have quickly become the Saints of the Motor City due to their affection for signing former players from New Orleans.
Former Saints running back Reggie Bush would have been another player on the list had it not been for the fact that the Lions released him in the offseason.
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (42) before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Quddus was signed by the Saints in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Fordham University mainly playing a role on special teams.
He hit his stride in 2012 where he had the best year of his career registering 45 combined tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions.
The arrival of Kenny Vaccaro signaled the departure for Quddus and he was released in the 2014 offseason where he was claimed by the Lions.
He played in all 16 games where he had the second highest season of his career with 32 combined tackles and two passes defended.
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) runs out of the grasp of Chicago Bears inside linebacker
Christian Jones(59) during the second half at Soldier Field. Detroit won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
As a journeyman running back, Bell showed potential for the Saints in 2011 after bouncing around the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles(twice), and Indianapolis Colts.
But with a crowded backfield that included Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles, Bell was waived before the season and placed on the Saints practice squad.
Bell was later signed off the practice squad by the Lions at the end of the 2011 season and has averaged 1,093 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns a season since 2012.
One thing that may have hurt Bell as well with cracking the Saints roster is even though he’s a hard and fierce runner, he has the tendency to fumble frequently with four in 2013 and five in 2014.
Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) against the Dallas Cowboys prior to a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
It’s gonna be difficult for some to see Lance Moore, another former fan favorite, in a different uniform…again.
After spending nine seasons with the Saints, he donned another Black and Gold(ok mustard yellow) when he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014.
Moore was arguably one of the most energetic if not beloved players besides Pierre Thomas that has played for the Saints.
The trademark smile and dance moves following a touchdown became the norm for Who Dat’s including his rendition of the “Nae Nae” against the Philadelphia Eagles during the playoffs in January 2014.
Jan 4, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) celebrates a touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
In his career with the Saints Moore had 346 receptions for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns, with his best season being 2008 where he had 928 yards receiving along with ten touchdowns.
Of course Moore will forever be remembered for his two-point conversion catch in Super Bowl XLIV, grasping the ball by his fingertips and and twisting awkwardly to extend it over the goal-line.
Injuries have slowed Moore down and he’ll see if he can kickstart his career again following a disappointing 2014 season where he only had 14 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
The Saints made a puzzling move involving defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker when they decided not to tender the restricted free agent going into the 2015 offseason.
Sep 22, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Tyrunn Walker (75) against the Arizona Cardinals during a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Walker was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 2012 and eventually saw playing time in 2013 where he was active for seven games and had 9 combined tackles with one sack.
He was active for all sixteen games in 2014 and although the defense was once again one of the worst, Walker still managed 19 combined tackles for 2.5 sacks.
It seemed that Walker could be one of the next hidden gems the Saints found but instead allowed him to be signed away by the Lions.
It’s likely that Walker will see a good year considering he will line up along side fellow defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and defensive end Ziggy Ansah.
The Lions will come to New Orleans for a primetime matchup against the Saints on December 21st at 7:30 p.m. CST.
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