New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley 'packs the power'
 

This guy could be the key to our success at the D Line


New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley 'packs the power' - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

At a "measly" 306 pounds, new New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley doesn't exactly look like a space-eating run stuffer. But try blocking him. "He's strong," Saints guard Jahri Evans said. "He may not be that big load or a 350-pound, 340-pound guy. But he packs the power and he sinks those hips and he plays low."

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley 'packs the power'
 

At a "measly" 306 pounds, new New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley doesn't exactly look like a space-eating run stuffer. But try blocking him. "He's strong," Saints guard Jahri Evans said. "He may not be that big load or a 350-pound, 340-pound guy. But he packs the power and he sinks those hips and he plays low."

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The New Orleans Saints have liked what they have seen from defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, who played for the Denver Broncos last season.
Several coaches and players have commented on Bunkley's strength. They said he stood out immediately in the weight room even before they got their first look at the seventh-year veteran on the field.

He's shined there, too. Although it's almost impossible to evaluate a run-stuffing defensive tackle's performance in non-contact practices, Bunkley's athleticism and effort have been noticeable.

On one play he was one of the last defenders chasing quarterback Chase Daniel all the way down the field on a long scramble. Another time he impressed by keeping chase behind speed back Darren Sproles.

"He is a detailed guy. He has a high motor for a big guy. He is strong as an ox," Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "He is a worker. He stepped right in here and didn't skip a beat."

The Saints signed Bunkley to a five-year contract worth between $22.5 million and $25 million this offseason, when he was considered by most analysts as the best free agent run stuffer available after he had a career-best season with the Denver Broncos last year. The Saints signed him to replace departed veterans Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers, both of whom were decent but unspectacular in their first year in New Orleans last season.

Like most nose tackles, Bunkley did the dirty work for the Broncos. So his stats don't jump off the page - 43 tackles, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles in the regular season; six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the playoffs. But he was widely praised for helping to revitalize the Broncos' defense and taking on blockers to free up dynamic pas rushers like Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.

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That's what we all thought about Rogers and Franklin, look how that turned out...

I do think that Bunkley will be better than Rogers, Ellis, or Franklin last year though... :bng:

I think him and Ellis can be a pretty good tandem in the middle.

I wasn't excited about Rogers beyond the whiners preseason game.

Franklin I liked. He's a durable run-stuffer who's abilities don't always show up on the stat sheet. I chalked that one up to the system we ran.

Let's hope Ayodele is up to the task

I imagine that Bunkley, Hicks and Johnson could make up a trio at DT which could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come for the Saints.

You may be on to something there ! This is Remi's cup of tea also!!

306lbs but I hear he is hung like a mule.

Bunkley has always had rare upper body strength, which has allowed him to be a successful penetrating DT even with his smaller-than-normal stature at the particular position.

His combine result of 44 bench presses is still 6th in the list for top performers at the combine and the 3 guys in front of him have 45 reps, so I think it's fair to say that some centers and guards are going to get their arms slapped sore this coming season by # 77.

With Bunkleys hard charge, we will get to see if Ellis has a charge, pulse, or the batteries are dead.