Opening day countdowns are great. So are player profiles. Here at Musket Fire, we decided to combine them and create a Week 1 countdown-oriented, jersey number-dictated player profile series. A few days ago we looked at No. 41 Dekoda Watson, and the day before that it was No. 42 Xzavier Dickson. Because today marks 39 days until the New England Patriots open 2015, we are profiling No. 39, veteran running back Travaris Cadet.
Signed as an undrafted rookie by the New Orleans Saints in 2012, Cadet has appeared in 41 games over the past three seasons. The pass receiving specialist begins his Patriots career with 45 receptions, 345 yards and two touchdown catches to his name in addition to 32 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Next: Details of Cadet's contract
As Sean Payton described to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe this spring, Cadet is better suited as a receiver out of the backfield; when he joined the team in 2012, he even spent time in the Saints’ wide receiver meetings.
Speaking of Howe, this is what he had to say about Cadet after practice yesterday:
Nice day for Travaris Cadet, too. Hooked up with Garoppolo for a long TD. Those two connected four times.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 1, 2015
Howe wasn’t the only one who made note of Cadet’s good day:
Two guys who stood out today: Aaron Dobson (he made some tough catches) and Travaris Cadet (great quickness and burst).
— Carmine Carcieri (@chinstrapcar) August 1, 2015
Cadet had better keep up the good work, as promising sophomore James White has been earning praise so far in camp as well. Perhaps no training camp battle is as even as the one transpiring between Cadet and White for Shane Vereen’s role in the offense.
Poor blocking technique is the main drawback in Cadet’s game, so expect him to be used primarily in passing situations. The Patriots have LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray to handle the ground duties, so that shouldn’t hurt Cadet’s chances too much. White isn’t the best blocker, either.
Here is footage of all 48 times Cadet touched the football last season.
In case you missed them, here are the profiles for No. 43 Nate Ebner, No. 44 Matthew Wells, No. 45 D.J. Lynch, No. 46 james Develin, No. 47 Michael Hoomanawanui, No. 48 Geneo Grissom, No. 49 Joe Cardona, No. 50 Rob Ninkovich, No. 51 Jerod Mayo, No. 52 Dane Fletcher, No. 53 Eric Martin, No. 54 Dont’a Hightower, No. 55 Jonathan Freeny, No. 58 Darius Fleming, No. 59 Chris White, No. 60 David Andrews, No. 61 Marcus Cannon and No. 62 Ryan Wendell.
Be sure to check back on Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we celebrate 38 days until Week 1 by profiling No. 38, running back Brandon Bolden.