Cadet happy to be a Saint
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
Appalachian State has nine former players who are either on NFL
rosters or on NFL practice squads.
Some, such as St. Louis Rams receiver Brian Quick, San Francisco guard Daniel Kilgore and Green Bay linebacker D.J. Smith, were all drafted on to their teams.
Travaris Cadet is not one of those people.
The New Orleans Saints did not draft Cadet. Instead, the former Appalachian State running back signed an undrafted free agent contract with the team after the 2012 NFL Draft was over.
“I was happy to get the opportunity to play in the NFL,” Cadet said following the Saints’ loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday. “It was my dream and it’s come true.”
If Cadet has any regrets, he’s not telling. The Miami native, who transferred to Appalachian State from Pearl River Community College in 2009, feels the Saints’ system is ideal to what he brings to the field.
Cadet said the Saints covet versatility from their running backs. Cadet was one of the most versatile players at ASU from 2009-11.
While at Appalachian State, Cadet made his debut at quarterback in a 29-24 loss to East Carolina in the Mountaineers’ season opener.
When Armanti Edwards returned to quarterback, Cadet moved to receiver because the Appalachian State coaching staff wanted him on the field. He also returned punts and kicks.
Cadet moved to running back in 2010 and 2011. He led the Mountaineers in rushing in 201 with 713 yards and six touchdowns on 151 carries. Cadet added 34 receptions for 333 yards and a TD.
“You look at the guys we have like Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush in the past, and they are guys who are versatile,” Cadet said. “They are guys who can do a number of things that can hurt you a lot of ways in the return game and at running back or receiver. If I had been drafted, I probably would not be in the right system like the New Orleans Saints.”
Bush is with the Miami Dolphins now, but Sproles is still on the Saints’ roster. Sproles and Cadet are two of five running backs on the roster. Cadet credits Sproles and starting running back Pierre Thomas for showing him the finer points of playing running back in the NFL.
Cadet also credited quarterback Drew Brees and Cadet’s position coach, Bret Ingalis, for making him a better player.
“I leared from guys like Pierre and Darren Sproles and Drew Brees. He took me under his wing,” Cadet said. Coach Bret, my running backs coach, gave me the opportunity to be in the right situations. I couldn’t have gone to a better place than the New Orleans Saints.”
Cadet showed his appreciation by scoring a touchdown in his first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. He followed with a touchdown in another preseason game, and credits his play during the preseason for making the team.
He also credits Brees for being a team leader, not just to the veterans, but to all of his teammates.
“On and off the field, the time he puts in — he’s a team player,” Cadet said of the record-setting quarterback. “He’s all about the team. Everybody on the team looks up to him. In the film room — the time and hours he puts in and the passion he puts on the field to rally all the players up. Everybody looks up to him. He’s a great general.”
Cadet played his first regular season game in week one, but was inactive against the Panthers. He said it was exciting to be playing for keeps two weeks ago, but remembered that he had a job to do.
That job was covering kicks and punts.
“It was just football,” Cadet said. “It’s what I live for and it’s what I die for. It’s the game I love, and I’m playing for a great organization, the New Orleans Saints. I couldn’t be more proud to be in a place.”
Some, such as St. Louis Rams receiver Brian Quick, San Francisco guard Daniel Kilgore and Green Bay linebacker D.J. Smith, were all drafted on to their teams.
Travaris Cadet is not one of those people.
The New Orleans Saints did not draft Cadet. Instead, the former Appalachian State running back signed an undrafted free agent contract with the team after the 2012 NFL Draft was over.
“I was happy to get the opportunity to play in the NFL,” Cadet said following the Saints’ loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday. “It was my dream and it’s come true.”
If Cadet has any regrets, he’s not telling. The Miami native, who transferred to Appalachian State from Pearl River Community College in 2009, feels the Saints’ system is ideal to what he brings to the field.
Cadet said the Saints covet versatility from their running backs. Cadet was one of the most versatile players at ASU from 2009-11.
While at Appalachian State, Cadet made his debut at quarterback in a 29-24 loss to East Carolina in the Mountaineers’ season opener.
When Armanti Edwards returned to quarterback, Cadet moved to receiver because the Appalachian State coaching staff wanted him on the field. He also returned punts and kicks.
Cadet moved to running back in 2010 and 2011. He led the Mountaineers in rushing in 201 with 713 yards and six touchdowns on 151 carries. Cadet added 34 receptions for 333 yards and a TD.
“You look at the guys we have like Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush in the past, and they are guys who are versatile,” Cadet said. “They are guys who can do a number of things that can hurt you a lot of ways in the return game and at running back or receiver. If I had been drafted, I probably would not be in the right system like the New Orleans Saints.”
Bush is with the Miami Dolphins now, but Sproles is still on the Saints’ roster. Sproles and Cadet are two of five running backs on the roster. Cadet credits Sproles and starting running back Pierre Thomas for showing him the finer points of playing running back in the NFL.
Cadet also credited quarterback Drew Brees and Cadet’s position coach, Bret Ingalis, for making him a better player.
“I leared from guys like Pierre and Darren Sproles and Drew Brees. He took me under his wing,” Cadet said. Coach Bret, my running backs coach, gave me the opportunity to be in the right situations. I couldn’t have gone to a better place than the New Orleans Saints.”
Cadet showed his appreciation by scoring a touchdown in his first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. He followed with a touchdown in another preseason game, and credits his play during the preseason for making the team.
He also credits Brees for being a team leader, not just to the veterans, but to all of his teammates.
“On and off the field, the time he puts in — he’s a team player,” Cadet said of the record-setting quarterback. “He’s all about the team. Everybody on the team looks up to him. In the film room — the time and hours he puts in and the passion he puts on the field to rally all the players up. Everybody looks up to him. He’s a great general.”
Cadet played his first regular season game in week one, but was inactive against the Panthers. He said it was exciting to be playing for keeps two weeks ago, but remembered that he had a job to do.
That job was covering kicks and punts.
“It was just football,” Cadet said. “It’s what I live for and it’s what I die for. It’s the game I love, and I’m playing for a great organization, the New Orleans Saints. I couldn’t be more proud to be in a place.”