What can you take away about the defense’s performance from the first two preseason games? What have you done well and what do you need to improve on?
“Some things that we are doing well, (are that) we are stopping the man in our seven-man fronts and I feel like we are starting to tackle well. Some things that we are not doing well, some leaky yards after contact. We would like to see more balls out and get to the quarterback a little more.”
Was that emphasized today with your drills?
“Today was more of a short-yardage emphasis and just doing all of our heavy packages, getting to the ball, over-populating on the ball, first guy there stopping him with the second guy in trying to strip the ball.”
What has been different about New Orleans than about Atlanta as far as training camp preparation?
“Everything. One thing is the same, in Atlanta, they have good guys in the locker room and we have great guys in this locker room. It is hotter down here. New coaches, new system, really nothing is the same.”
Do you remember going up against anybody or fighting with anybody on the Saints that is now your friend?
“No. Usually I don’t talk too much, I let my game speak for itself. There is a ton of respect between the two teams and there are a few guys that after the game we would talk. I would talk to Roman (Harper), Jenk (Malcolm Jenkins), and (Darren) Sproles and those guys have become my good friends.”
Where does that ball awareness come from that you showed against the Patriots?
“I am just hungry. As soon as I step on the football field, I feel like I have something to prove. I want to improve and I want to be the best. Whenever the ball is on the ground, I want to be the first one to get it. If the ball is in the air, I want to get my hands on it. I am hungry and want to continue to be the best that I can for this team.”
What kind of backlash did you get from Atlanta teammates or fans when you chose to come to New Orleans?
“Ex-teammates. Most of them are happy for me. At the same time, I have been called a traitor, every name in the book, they don’t want to see me, but it is all in good fun. Everybody knows this is a business and they just want to see me be happy and I am very happy right now.”
Would your situation change on this football team if Jonathan Vilma returns?
“Not at all. I came here and one of the first things I did was call Vilma. We talked about it. We want to win. Whatever situation, however it plays out, I will do that.”
What was the bigger factor in you decision, the money offered or because you knew the division and the team?
“Money, for me, really didn’t play a part in it. Of course I wanted to be financially stable but at the same time, I want to go win a championship. I want to play with great players and go to a great organization. When I came here, it was a perfect fit for me. I love all the coaches, had a great meeting with Mickey Loomis, coach (Sean) Payton, Joe Vitt, and coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) and it was the best fit for me.”
He will be entering his tenth season in the National Football League this season in the same uniform that he began his career in back in 2004. The lone player that is still on the Saints roster from the previous coaching staff will get a new look at...
After a season in which the Saints did not have their head coach, in which the club limped through to a very disappointing 7-9 record, New Orleans will hit the field this week as off season practices get underway. The media will get to attend an OTA...
Yes, I know that all coaches and most players say it, but it's true! When it comes to football, championships are won in the off season. Saints Offensive Guard Ben Grubbs is also in that number.
"I believe that the road to the Super Bowl does...
A lot of special moments are expected this weekend as the #2 ranked LSU Baseball Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels. Head Coach Paul Mainieri told me and Bobby Hebert that even though his team has sewn up the SEC West, they are in no way going to relax...
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton joined Bobby Hebert and me for a chat following the team's rookie minicamp on Airline Drive.
Coach Payton told us the session went well.
"You have a short period of time to do that and the three days we had gave...
Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was...
Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was...
Kristian@wwl.com
The Payton factor: The media got their first look at the Saints during their third Organized Team Activity session this morning at the team's training facility on Airline Drive. Very few people have as strong a presence at their...
Kristian@wwl.com - In a new defensive alignment, Saints veteran Will Smith is starting Organized Team Activities today at outside linebacker.
"On paper it's outside linebacker, but it's still defensive end. I'm cool with it," Smith told...
Starting this Tuesday, the Black and Gold get underway with Organized Team Activities, which is a fancy phrase for "practice." These workouts are voluntary, but as in previous years under Sean Payton, attendance at OTA's are expected to be...
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