"Ramon is a very smart football player," Frazier said. "He has good athleticism, has some leadership qualities as well, but just watch his movement. He does a very good job of being at the right place at the right time. He’s displayed that for us, and is a guy who is opportunistic. He’ll make plays when he has opportunities to make those plays."

"That connection was always there," Humber said. "So the fact that he knew about me back then and he wanted to bring me in, it's just a good connection."

Humber isn't all giddy about opening camp as a first-team player. He has been around the NFL too long -- first with the Indianapolis Colts (with whom he signed in 2009 as an undrafted free agent from North Dakota State), then with the Saints (2010-2015), and the 2016 offseason and preseason with the New England Patriots -- to assume the status is permanent.

After all, Humber is still part of the special-teams units. Less than two weeks from his 30th birthday, he looks at his current role as merely a continuation of what he has done his entire football life -- being ready to play in any situation, under any circumstances.