Kentavius Street also remembers the play that most Saints fans know him for, because it's the hit that landed Drew Brees on IR with cracked ribs.
The 2nd-year 49ers defensive end was celebrating his first NFL sack. It didn't count due to a roughing penalty, and Brees finished the half despite the injury then missed the next four games due to the injury.
Two years later Street is the newest member of the New Orleans Saints, and he wanted to set the record straight while joining SportsTalk Monday afternoon.
Listen to Street's full interview on WWL in the player below. Can't see the embed? Click here.
"I’m extremely ready to put the situation itself to rest. I would love to, you know, just meet up with Drew, hug it out and just let bygones be bygones," he said. "Because at the end of the day we were both playing the sport that we love and unfortunately, injuries are just a part of it."
Newly re-signed quarterback Jameis Winston took over in the second half and led to the Saints to a win, his first significant action after before ultimately succeeding Brees in the 2021 season. Street said he got his share of DMs and messages regarding the hit, and described the situation as a "dark time" in his career. But he's ready and excited to start making up for it.
One of the things he's most looking forward to? The player intros at the Superdome.
“I've heard the fans are amazing, so I’m just ready to be a part of it all,” he said.
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How will he begin to do that?
The 6-2, 287-pound Street is is listed at defensive end and played that position in his rookie season, but he's spent the past two seasons at defensive tackle. Street is still early in the process and hasn't been given a vision of what to expect for his role. His next task is to get moved from the Bay Area down to New Orleans.
But Street's ability to rush inside and out fits a Saints theme: Positional versatility. He named two players he's familiar with in New Orleans, both were interior rushers in Shy Tuttle and David Onyemata. And if he can be an added punch inside, it'd only make life easier on a stacked edge rusher group that already includes Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport and 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner.
"I feel comfortable rushing anywhere," he said, noting that he played 3-technique in college. "Wherever I can find the disadvantage in the offensive line I'll feel comfortable rushing."
He trusts that the Saints will put him in the right situation, and that's due in no small part to new co-DC Ryan Nielsen. He was Street's coach at NC State for three seasons, and the DE raved about his new coach's work ethic, "puppet master" mentality, and ability to get the most out of his pass-rushers.
Nielsen coached the defensive line for the Saints under Dennis Allen, and was promoted to co-DC along with secondary coach Kris Richard after Allen ascended to the head coach position.
He'd mark on his calendar his games against Nielsen because he wanted to make sure he put his best foot forward. Street admitted the Saints coach played a major part in why he ultimately landed in New Orleans.
"[Nielsen] knows how to put each player in the best position to be productive. ... It's in his blood. He eats sleeps and breathes [football]," Street said. "A lot of people say they do it, but he really does it, and you can tell by the product that they put out there."