ROO PRIDE—Kentwood native and former Southeastern Lion Byron Ross (84), here juking a Nicholls State defender last season, said last weekend’s tryout with the Saints was a great experience for him even if it didn’t end with a contract offer or minicamp invitation. File Photo by John Lenz

Former Southeastern wideout Bryon Ross had his moments during last weekend's rookie camp tryout with the New Orleans Saints - but evidently, not quite enough of them.

The Saints brought 30 rookies to their camp last weekend for tryouts, and after two days of poking and probing, they kept one player from that group - junior college wide receiver Carlos Robinson.

Ross, a Kentwood native who played four years with the Lions, couldn't wrangle an invitation to the Saints' upcoming minicamps, but he was grateful to have a showcase with his home state team.

"It was a very good opportunity and experience just to go down there and see how it was to be part of a very elite group of guys," Ross said. "Unfortunately, it didn't end the way I wanted it to, but I was blessed to have that opportunity.

"I feel like I did very well. I worked hard, and all I can do is go out and give my best. I felt like I was right there with the top guys."

The workouts were closed to the pubic and the media. But Ross said he made an impression with at least one play, in a one-on-one drill on Sunday when he beat a defender and grabbed a pass over the top for a 45-yard pass completion.

"(Veteran Saints receiver) David Patten was out there with us," Ross said. "When I came back, he was like ‘That's what I'm talking about. That was a great route and a great catch.' That made me feel good and let me know that I can belong there."

Of course, Patten could afford to acknowledge Ross' big play - he's got a roster spot locked up.

"The atmosphere is very, very highly competitive," Ross said. "Any play and every play can be your last. Everything you do, you're always being evaluated at each step. What you really want to do is outperform (the other guys)."

In the end, Ross couldn't do that. But he did come away from the daily film sessions with some constructive evaluations he hopes will help him if he gets another chance in a pro camp.

Unfortunately, those evaluations didn't include an effective way to stretch him beyond his 5-foot-9 stature. The Saints never gave much indication of why they decided to keep the people they did or why Ross and others were cut, but while Ross' 4.38 speed in the 40-yard-dash was an asset, the one receiver they did keep, Robinson, was three inches taller and 15 pounds heavier.

"I didn't come from a top-of-the-line school like some of the other bigger guys, so it's easy to get overlooked when you come from a smaller school and you're not as big," Ross said. "You have to want to do something kind of extraordinary that's going to catch their attention."

He wasn't able to do that for the Saints, so now he goes back to work trying to be ready for the next chance he gets.

"Being that I'm not one of the bigger receivers, I've got to try to stay in top shape and still remain fast," Ross said. "At my size, 5-9 or 5-10, you've got to do something that's different that'll stand out. The main thing is to train and stay fast and stay healthy."

Ross said his agent is working the phones again, but right now there are no firm irons in the fire.

"This is the kind of process where you have to be patient and stay in shape and hope the opportunity opens up for you," Ross said.