Saints Will See Some Familiar Faces In 2015 Opponents

S Roman Harper and S Marcus Ball (Carolina Panthers)

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) celebrates a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers must like raiding the Saints former safeties because they currently have two on the roster that could face their former team.

Harper was long lauded by Saints fans as being known for having a medical condition called “Hands Of Stone.”

A second round pick for the Saints in 2006, he was actually one of the players considered to have helped New Orleans reach a Super Bowl.

While with the Saints he recorded 17 sacks in his eight seasons with his “Move It Like Bernie” sack dance becoming his signature celebration in 2011 where he had a whopping 7.5 quarterback takedowns.

After playing in only nine games in 2013 and having one of the worst seasons statistically, he was released in the 2014 offseason where he then signed with the Saints NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers.

Harper caught flak from Saints fans and some former teammates alike for donning the Blue and Black with jokes lobbed at the salt and pepper haired safety’s new team that all that opposing squad’s need to do is throw his way for a sure touchdown.

But much to the chagrin of Who Dat’s, Harper would record a career season high 4 interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown in his first year with the Panthers.

Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back Marcus Ball (36) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ball was a failed experiment by the Saints when they signed the former Canadian Football League player in 2014 to a three-year contract hoping to capitalize on what the Seattle Seahawks did with cornerback Brandon Browner(irony).

With injuries that mounted in the secondary last year Ball saw some playing time at free and strong safety, as well as two games at slot cornerback.

But with little impact on special teams, being atrocious in coverage and only having 16 combined tackles, the Saints parted ways with Ball at the end of the season.

I’ll make the prediction that Ball won’t make the final roster since he’s dead last on the depth chart of five strong safeties with others like Robert Lester and Kurt Coleman ahead of him.

The Saints and Panthers will face off on September 27th at 12:00 p.m. CDT in Carolina and on December 6th at 12:00 p.m. CST in New Orleans.

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