Saints WR

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- There are plenty of reasons [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] shouldn't even be playing for the Saints, let alone starring for them.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] suffered through hamstring and ankle injuries in 2009, but still managed to impact Super Bowl XLIV. He held onto a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to give the Saints the 24-17 lead that would secure the ring.
The receiver wasn't drafted. After attending Westerville South High school in Columbus, after making his way through four collegiate years at Toledo, he went through the entire 2005 NFL Draft without hearing his name.
Somehow, he found a spot on the New Orleans practice squad, was promoted to the active roster by Nov. 16, but was so unsure of his place on the team that he played for NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder 2006. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
The list of reasons for him to have failed runs long.
After being undrafted, cut, playing on the practice squad and then for one of the NFL's outposts abroad, he gradually earned playing time with the Saints until his breakout year in 2008. That was the season he led New Orleans with 79 receptions for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns, and earned the unequivocal trust of Brees. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
This season, [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] has returned to the form that earned Brees' trust in 2008. Through six games, he has 17 catches for 275 yards, and a team-leading four TD receptions. His 16.2 yards per catch is 11th in the NFL, and his four touchdowns are tied for ninth.
"He's smart. He's tough. He's extremely reliable," Brees said. "I trust him so much. I have so much confidence in him. I'm happy for him because he's earned it."
"He's probably one of the most complete receivers we have on the team," Brees said. "There's not a route he can't run. He's the total package."
"There are all the reasons he shouldn't make it in the NFL, yet he overcomes the odds and he's obviously one of the key parts of what we do offensively," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said this week.
"He's an aggressive returner," Browns coach Eric Mangini said. "He'll take some chances that some guys won't and that has led to some big plays."

Still, he found his way into Cleveland's training camp. Only to be cut from the Browns.
In The Spotlight: Saints WR [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
"He's a guy who can create separation,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]," Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown said. "He brings a lot of ability and confidence to the game, and it's paying off for him."
He does it while standing only 5-feet-9, 190 pounds. In just a handful of years, he's ninth in the New Orleans record books with 18 touchdown catches.
This season he's added returning duties to his resume, and had a 72-yard punt return in a 27-24 overtime loss to Atlanta. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
The biggest chance, though, might have been sticking with his dream and defying the odds.