Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata was asked how he felt he’d performed this season.
Onyemata modestly replied: “I've been good, pretty decent."
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman’s numbers have been way better than decent. Onyemata already has set a new career high with five sacks and eight tackles for a loss. He’s also logged his first career interception.
Onyemata’s teammate aren’t surprised at all by Onyemata’s production.
"Not one lick,” Saints offensive lineman Erik McCoy said. “David is a beast. Going against him in fall camp especially, I learned how strong he really was and just how explosive he is off the ball. He's a problem, a mismatch. That's against any guard or any center in the league."
Saints coach Sean Payton said Onyemata’s play has been one of the key’s to New Orleans’ success on defense. The Saints currently have the No. 2 rushing defense in the NFL giving up just 74.3 yards per game and rank fourth in the league in sacks with 32.
"It's been very important. When your front's playing well, and you're counting on big guys, not just the ends, but you are counting on your inside guys,” Payton said. “He gives us good push up front, and (is) very athletic. He loves playing. I can't say enough good things about just him as a player and a teammate."
Saints defensive line coach Ryan Neilsen said Onyemata is playing with a lot of energy and confidence.
“I think he’s really using his hands. He’s playing with his hands really well, his pad level and you can see he’s really been focusing on that in practice,” Neilsen said. “So what he’s doing in practice with his hands his pad level his footwork is starting to show up in the games a lot more.”
Despite his impressive play Onyemata said he’s still focus on improving.
“There's always going to be improvement to be done, to be made,” he said. “I don't think there's ever going to be like a perfect play or a perfect game. So there's always going to be improvement to be made."
