Former Saints appearing on Super Bowl LII rosters

Even though the Saints won’t be appearing in the big game, there are still some players on both championship teams that have worn the Black and Gold.

Super Sunday is still going to be a National Spectacle. Through the trial and tribulations of the Anthem kneeling controversy, to the lowered ratings. The NFL has stuck through it all, and was consistently the top primetime television program this season.

Super Bowl LII is no different from any other Super Bowl. It will be an International phenomenon, surrounded by great stories. And, even though our beloved Saints won’t be playing in the game, some ex-players will be.

Other ex-players will play little to no snaps, or are on injured reserve. Either way, these are the players appearing on Super Bowl LII rosters, who also came through the New Orleans Saints organization.

Eagles

Patrick Robinson

The 8-year veteran cornerback out of Florida State may have found his home in Philadelphia. New Orleans draftee Robinson in the first round of the 2010 draft. An up and down stint with the Saints led way to Robinson going to the Chargers.

He wasn’t very successful there either, but produced more in that one year with the Chargers than his very short time with the Indianapolis Colts. This year with the Eagles was different. Robinson had 45 tackles and four interceptions. Two weeks ago, in the NFC Championship Game, Robinson intercepted Case Keenum and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. The score jump started Philadelphia’s 38-7 win.

Robinson is known for being the main cornerback involved in the historically awful Saints defense. After Sunday, his legacy could change as a pivotal player for a Super Bowl champion team.

Malcolm Jenkins

Still a fan favorite, Jenkins’ impressive career started in New Orleans. As time has gone on, Jenkins’ mark in the NFL is more known with his time in Philadelphia. Another first round draft pick, Jenkins helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl in his rookie season.

Jenkins started 63 games for the Saints during his tenure. He had six interceptions and over 300 tackles. He picked off three passes alone in his first season with the Eagles back in 2014. Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler with Philadelphia, and continues to give back to his communities.

Darren Sproles

Unfortunately for football fans, we won’t be seeing runningback Darren Sproles taking any snaps on Sunday. He broke his arm and tore his ACL week 3 of this season. Hopefully, it doesn’t end his illustrious career.

It started in San Diego, where he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft out of Kansas State. He was just a return man as a rookie, and was on IR in 2006. On a Sunday Night game in 2007, Sproles became the first player in NFL history to have his first two career touchdowns be a kickoff return and a punt return. He helped the Chargers upset the Colts.

After further success with the Chargers, the Saints signed Sproles in 2011 with a 4-year deal. He was the team’s Swiss Army knife, and continually had 150+ scrimmage yard games for the Saints. A bizarre trade sent Sproles to the Eagles for a fifth round pick in 2014. The rest is history; Sproles has played just as well for Philadelphia, and can become a Super Bowl champion after this weekend.

Dannell Ellerbe

Another Saints bust, like Robinson, could attain a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles. Ellerbe played in just 15 games for the Saints in a span of two seasons. He was released before this season started, and was signed by the Eagles in November.

An undrafted free agent in 2009, Ellerbe helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. A few months later, he signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins. He played just 16 games in two seasons there. He was traded along with a third round pick to the Saints for Kenny Stills.

Now, Ellerbe also has a chance of being crowned a world champion. It would be the second such occurrence in his roller coaster of a career.

Bryan Braman

Braman has an interesting career path. After going undrafted in 2011, our of his third college, West Texas A&M, Braman was signed by the Houston Texans. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2012, and a special teams expert. In 2014, he signed a two year deal with the Eagles. A year after that expired, he signed with the Saints.

However, a trip to injured reserve ended his brief sting in New Orleans after two weeks. He re signed with Philadelphia last December, after Carson Wentz tore his ACL and went to injured reserve. Braman provides defensive end depth and special teams support.

Patriots

Brandin Cooks

The lone wolf. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks is the only current New England Patriot who has also played for the Saints. If it wasn’t for a trade that happened less than 10 months ago, there wouldn’t be any such player on New England’s roster.

Next: Post Senior Bowl 7-round Saints mock draft

The trade upset many Saints fans at first. Getting just a first round pick for one of the best young receivers in football did not seem like a fair deal. Fortunately for New Orleans, that pick turned into rookie stud Ryan Ramczyk. Ted Ginn Jr excelled in his role as a receiver, and Alvin Kamara was sensational. In the end, the trade is fair for both sides.

In his final season with the Saints, Cooks amassed 78 catches for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. Playing the same amount of games this season, Cooks had 65 catches for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns. In the Patriots’ two playoff games this season, Cooks has nine catches for 132 yards.

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