New Saints outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings knows a thing or two about turnarounds, fresh off a Super Bowl trip with the New England Patriots in a year in which they entered with far lower expectations.
They rode a second-year leap from Drake Maye and a building culture to the top seed in the AFC and, speaking on WWL Radio this week, Jennings says he seems a lot of similarities in the Saints roster he's joining.
"How the Saints finished the last 5-6 games last season, man, it was a lot to look forward to, what they’ve done this offseason in free agency and the draft, like, I’m just looking forward to being a part of that," Jennings said this week, just a few days after agreeing to sign with the Saints in free agency.
Hear the full, exclusive interview with Anfernee Jennings in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
And as far as Saints starting QB Tyler Shough?
"I see the same things Drake was doing in his first year and then going into his second year," Jennings said. "He’s kind of looking like the same type of player.”
If New Orleans can get a similar Year 2 surge from their young QB, the Saints will be in business after investing heavily in the offensive side of the ball both in free agency and the NFL draft. The Saints have made more understated maneuvers on the defensive side of the ball, adding LB Kaden Elliss in free agency to replace the departed Demario Davis and drafting Georgia DT Christen Miller at No. 42 overall, but otherwise avoiding high-profile moves.
What they did do was add upside players in Jennings and CB Martin Emerson Jr. this week, as well as trade a 5th round pick to the Raiders for former No. 7 overall selection Tyree Wilson. The Saints will be hoping those players, including Wilson, can help build on a defense that ranked in the top half of the league in several key areas a year ago.
What Jennings has done at a high level since being drafted in the third round out of Alabama in xxx is set the edge and stuff the run. In six seasons with the Patriots Jennings appeared in 75 games (40 starts) while rolling up 217 tackles (27 TFLs) and 7.5 sacks. If Jennings can continue to defend the run at a high level in New Orleans, he'll likely find a role quickly.
“I think stopping the run comes with a mentality," he said. "From the offensive standpoint they feel like, if they can run the ball, that’s them telling you, basically, that they’re more physical than you, they’re tougher than you and I just don’t believe in that as far as the defensive side. I play with an attitude and, you know, I just play physical and I just think that stopping the run is No. 1 and I take pride in that.”
The rest of the Saints outside linebacker group includes Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Chris Rumph and Wilson. As of this point the Saints have not re-signed Cam Jordan this week, though GM Mickey Loomis has continued to hold the door open for a potential return and Year 16 with the Saints. That position group, whether Jordan returns or not, figures to be an exciting one to watch in camp as players compete for roles and roster spots.
