Lewis Kidd saw the news circulating around Twitter Tuesday afternoon, but he still wasn't ready to believe it.
He didn't want to get too excited, just in case the reports were false. But in the end the rookie lineman was still in the building on Wednesday morning after making the Saints' initial 53-man roster, the lone UDFA to do so out of this year's class.
"It's like, 'all right, can I get excited yet? Like, is it time?' " Kidd said on the Inside Black & Gold podcast. "But yea, it's exciting stuff. I had my my excitement time and all that stuff. I'm still super excited, eager to continue to learn and to grow, but at the end of the day ... I'm here to work still. Nothing's really changing."
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It was anything but a sure thing for Kidd, who was competing at what might be the Saints' deepest position, with three first-rounders slated to start this season, a 2nd rounder and another first-rounder waiting in the wings at his position of left tackle. But Kidd kept his head down and worked. His opportunity most likely was created by necessity, with rookie Trevor Penning going down with a significant toe injury that is expected to keep him out for some time.
But the how is no issue for Kidd. The 6-foot-6, 311-pounder says he's ready to seize his opportunity, however it comes. He might even have some new competition in the form of Bills tackle Tanner Owen, who was claimed by the Saints on waivers and will have to remain on the active roster.
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That means there are currently 10 active offensive linemen, though with Penning likely to shift to IR to start the season. With Landon Young expected to serve as the backup RT, Kidd will be in the running to provide depth behind projected starter James Hurst.
"I'm a part of this team now and I'm very excited to be part of this culture and be a part of this organization," Kidd said. "The work continues, and that's what I plan on doing. Just put my head down and I'm getting better every day."
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