New Saints corner Demetri Goodson feeling right at home



By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

New Orleans feels a lot like home for newly signed New Orleans Saints cornerback Demetri Goodson.

He was new to the place, he was hungry, and his Uber driver knew a place close to the Saints facility. It was just a little hole in the wall, a place whose name he cannot remember, tucked away next to a gas station somewhere in East Jefferson parish. Neverthless, the Houston native felt something familiar.

"I'm back home, man," Goodson said. "I went to eat at this little hole in the wall, and the people there are so down to earth, just good, genuine people."

Goodson is feeling good vibes about New Orleans. It is not just the humid air and the southern hospitality.

It is the team, too.

"The culture, the way they practice is great," Goodson said. "Just a hard practice. These guys really work, here. I can see why the team is so good."

Goodson was a sixth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers out of Baylor in 2014. He made a name for himself on special teams there, making nine tackles on special teams over the course of 20 games in his first two seasons.

He worked his way into the Packers starting lineup in 2016, starting three games, but tore his ACL against the Redskins in November of that year. That was the last time he played in an NFL football game.

The Packers cut Goodson in September this year, but he feels he can help the Saints out in any capacity.

"Whatever they need," Goodson said. "Special teams, that's my big thing. I was a really good teams player for the Packers. But whatever the team needs -- corner, nickel, whatever -- I'm here to help win."

He said he traditionally has played outside corner throughout his career, but enjoyed learning the nickel during training camp in Green Bay this season. He hopes to continue learning there with New Orleans.

"It helps you from a standpoint of knowing the whole defense and what everybody is doing," Goodson said.

Goodson worked out with the Saints last week, but he did not get a call until this past Tuesday (Oct. 2). The workout experience was something completely new to him, but he is happy he went through it.

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