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Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette’s emergence as a playmaker in Rob Ryan’s much-improved defense was one of the most eye-opening stories in the NFL in 2013, when Galette finished just a half-sack behind defensive end Cameron Jordan’s team-leading total of 12.5. Another 12-sack season in 2014, along with playing at least 60 percent of the Saints' defensive snaps, would allow the fifth-year veteran to opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency in 2015. Galette is one of the glamor pieces in the Saints’ young defensive nucleus, and SI.com’s Don Banks caught up with him Saturday morning during Saints training camp at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

SI.com: That’s quite the beard you’ve got going. That’s more than just a camp beard, isn’t it?

Galette: Yeah, I’ve got to get me a Gillette deal. It’s not a camp beard. It’s something where I started a campaign -- I’m not cutting my beard until we win a Super Bowl. I started it during the 2012 season at some point. I trim it sometimes after the season, but that’s it. It’s not getting cut until we win a ring.

​​​SI.com: So how is training camp spent at a 156-year old mountain resort, rather than the heat of Louisiana?
Galette: Oh, man, it’s night and day. We usually go about five or six reps at a time, and when you’re in New Orleans, by that fourth rep, you’re exhausted. You’re like, man, I have nothing left. Sometimes you get delirious. Like, what’s the call, or your thinking process slows down dramatically. But here, you can go all six reps just balls to the wall. So it gives you an edge to be able to play in top form every single down.

SI.com: You never want training camp to go slowly, but I would imagine you’re not in a hurry to return to New Orleans for the second half of camp?



Galette: I mean, training camp is training camp at the end of the day. Whether it’s in New Orleans or here. You’re just practicing every day and hitting the same guys, and you kind of just want to play as a team. That’s what I’m itching for. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel in training camp.


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Rugby Saint II

Defenders of the universe!!!

homerj07

Would love to see another great season from Junior. Would hate to lose him in free agency though.

hagan714

hicks and jenkins will be a huge key this year. those two keep improving and sky is the limit for this DL

Utah_Saint

Fear the beard!!!