Can you evaluate Cam Jordan and Martez Wilson’s abilities as pass rushers?
“They’re two good picks there. I think both of those guys have done nice jobs. It’s new for Martez putting his hands down from being a linebacker last year. There’s a little bit of a learning curve, so it’s taking a little while. I know both Bill Johnson and Travis Jones, who were with Cam Jordan here last year, are really impressed with his progress. In his second year here, I think he’s kind of made some strides. Playing on a tight end and some of the reads that he had out there last year were new to him. I think he’s come a long way.”

Can you talk about Chris Chamberlain? Was he a guy you targeted to get over here when you first got here?
“Chris is one of those guys I think every coach would like to have in their program. We certainly knew what we’d have if we had him here on defense. He’s very versatile. You can see he’s already slid in there and played some Mike linebacker and that’s helpful for us. Going forward when you have guys that get banged up in this profession, you have to have guys that can step in. It’s year four for him in the same system. Anytime a player can do that, I think they’re a little more comfortable anytime you play against the pass.”

Is Scott Shanle like that also?
“Yes, he’s been playing both strong and weak outside linebacker. Again, the more linebackers that you can have in your group that can play more than one position, the better off I think you’re going to be.”

Can you talk a little bit about what’s going to happen with Will Smith’s suspension the first four games? Can you talk about the guys that might step in for him like Cam Jordan, Turk McBride, Junior Galette or Martez Wilson?
“We’re going to have a decision to make should Will Smith’s suspensions continue as they are right now. Turk is banged up right now, so he’s missing out on some valuable time, but I watched him over there this afternoon. He’s running around a little bit with Scottie (Patton). We’re hopeful to get him back next week and get two games under his belt. We’re faced with a decision over on the right side when we get to that first game in base defense. All the guys you mentioned certainly are candidates to replace Will.”

What are you looking to see out of your defense tomorrow?
“Somebody just asked me the same question. I’m going to present the same goals and objectives that we have for the first two games, which basically is to find a way to outhit our opponent, tackle well and make sure we’re in pursuit of the football. That’s not all exciting stuff for you. It’s cliché, but I think if we go past or beyond that and start talking about other things, you don’t get a good foundation laid, so that part won’t change.”

Are you pleased with the steps the defense has made from game one to game two?
“Yes, I would say that’s probably the statement that we would make, but I’m a realist. I’ve been through this before where you think all the steps are correct and then you get out there in the first regular season game and realize you have a long way to go. The real test is going to be the regular season and we have a little ways until we get there first.”

How do you feel about your nickel and dime coverages?
“We did a little bit of dime today, which is the first time we had done it. Typically, we only go to that when they put four wide receivers on the field. Now, we may see some of that tomorrow night and that’s what we’re prepared to do. There’s still a long way to go in that evaluation. At nickel, I think it’s a three-horse race right now with Marquis (Johnson) and Johnny (Patrick) in there. Elbert Mack gets in there a little bit. I should say four with Corey White. At some point here, we’re going to have to settle in with that guy that’s on the inside, but we’re just not ready to do that yet.”

Can you talk about Patrick Robinson? Last year, Tracy Porter was here and Patrick stepped in for a while when Tracy went down. Did you assume he would be the next guy to step up?
“I think that was the natural progression. He had done that a year ago when Tracy had a couple of games when he didn’t play. I think Patrick Robinson has been outstanding in the time he’s been out there. We have to remember he lost some valuable time out there a couple of weeks ago. He hasn’t been in a preseason game yet, so I’m anxious to see that. He had a good week of practice and made a couple of plays. I know the defense feels real comfortable when he’s in there communicating-wise on the back end. We’ll see where he is.”

Is there anything in particular about his skills that you think have helped him?
“I see him as a long-armed press corner. I think he fits the package. He has good size. He’s not a small corner. He’s been durable. Hopefully he stays that way. He has to fight through a little bit of a shoulder injury and we’ll find out a little bit more about that tomorrow night. He’s hasn’t really tested it, so hopefully he doesn’t go backwards in that regard.”

Did you know about him when he was at Florida State?
“Yes, him, Johnny Patrick, and all those guys. It’s funny, when you go around the league and you’ve been with other teams and you’re evaluating drafts, they all pop up. In this league, you never know when you’re going to end up working with them. So you’re nice to them all just in case.”

Do you remember your first game in the Superdome?
“Yes, I was in Philadelphia with the Eagles. I remember Joe Horn was a wide receiver because we were definitely afraid of him. I can’t remember who won the game. If I thought the Eagles won, I still wouldn’t say it because I’m with the Saints now. It was one of those early 2000 years down here. It was a good football game, I know that. I just remember Joe Horn played because I was coaching the safeties at the time.”

Do you remember anything about the crowd noise or anything like that?
“Yes, always down here. Since then, it’s been a number of games with Philadelphia. We were down here when I was with St. Louis. It’s always been a very, very difficult place to play as an opposing team. You always have to prepare for it.”

How would you evaluate the progress of Jose Gumbs and Jerico Nelson?
“They’re two young, good, quality free agents that came in. Those guys battling with the two guys who were here a year ago in Isa (Abdul-Quddus) and Jonathon (Amaya), it’s going to make for a good competition. There are some possibilities there at safety. Certainly we feel comfortable with Malcolm (Jenkins) and Roman (Harper), but we’ll see where the third, fourth and possibly fifth safety (comes from).”