Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Junior Galette and Martez Wilson will easily rank as two of the most compelling players worth watching at this year's New Orleans Saints training camp. Both outside linebackers are dynamic athletes who appear poised to take another step up in their young careers.

And the Saints will be counting on both of them more than ever, now that the team has switched to a new 3-4 scheme and lost potential starter Victor Butler to a season-ending knee injury.

Galette and Wilson are still unproven. And even when they were rotating in the mix as backups the last couple of years, the Saints' pass rush was far too anemic. So that area of the defense still looms as one of the team's greatest areas of concern heading into the 2013 season.

But Galette and Wilson are eager to prove that they can be the kind of weapons that new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan needs to fit his attacking schemes. It's something they've discussed a lot while working out together over the past five weeks with local trainer Wyatt Harris at the Sonic Boom speed, conditioning and strength academy in Jefferson.

"Man, I'm excited. I can't wait," Wilson said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "That's why I've been here every day just working my tail off."

Wilson, 24, has worked with Harris throughout his three-year NFL career. Galette, 25, used to train out of town, but he said he wanted to stay in New Orleans this summer so he could work out with teammates like Wilson and fellow linebacker Curtis Lofton, among others.

Not surprisingly, Galette is brimming with the same enthusiasm as Wilson.

"I'm always turned up," said Galette, who has always stood out as one of the most energetic and animated players on the Saints' roster since he first arrived as an undrafted free agent from Stillman College in 2010.

But this year, he said, "It has to be.

"Regardless, that's how you have to look at it, as positively as possible," Galette said. "And it just feels good to have Sean (Payton) back, to have everybody back, no suspensions, no distractions. It feels like the team camaraderie is at an all-time high.

"And I just feel more in the mix going into my fourth year, as well."

Read more: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year | NOLA.com

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

I expect to see Wilson and Galette both start by the start of the season. And barring injury start all year...

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Jesus, why do they insist on starting Will Smith? Deliver us from that evil. Rebuke. Rebuke!

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

A lot can happen before the first game, there is no way that Smith will be a full-time LB

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Man I hope you're right. Its embarrassing calling him a linebacker. I wish I could see him in practice.

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Exactly! No one has seen him at LB yet, let's see what role he is given before we throw him out...

He could be a decent run defender if used right, just not as an every down player...

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Will Smith at LB can't be worse than when he was at DE where he hasn't contributed much lately.

Honestly, anything different from last season that can bump our defense from bottom of the league to like 25th would probably be enough to get us to the SB again! lol

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Will Smith doesn't pressure the QB he hasn't n years ! ! ! Get the young guns n there to get sum pressure ! ! !

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

We all hope they can just flat out get it this year

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Will Smith is the weak link in my opinion.

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

"Turn it up a notch?!?"

How about you guys win the starting F***ing Job and Get Some Sacks!!!

Know several of you guys like him, but Galette is a backup.

Will Smith?!? Just because you're handing a guy a big contract doesn't mean he's worth it - He reminds me of a No. 4-5 MLB Starter in a rotation who is paid millions per year, but is barely better than a Batting Practice Pitcher...

Let the young guys get the snaps; let them make their mistakes; and keep trying different parts till something sticks; you're patient with a developing quarterback, pass rushers either get it done or they don't...

Our pass rushers haven't gotten it done since LaRoi Glover and Joe Johnson...

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

I expect to see Wilson and Vilma starting outside

Hawthorne and Lofton starting in the middle

Jr has a lot to prove this preseason till he does he back ups both oLB positions

Chase Thomas moves to ILB is my bold prediction for 2013 and works his way into the rotation by seasons end.

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

I wonder how much having Sedrick Ellis playing next to you affected Will Smith's play. Maybe with some more open space he can shine.

OK, I'm reaching, but I just can't help but feel our coaches know our players much better than we all do, but then I'll watch a game from 2012 and think no f'ing way.

Payton's suspension proved how valuable good coaches are to a team.
Spagnoulo also proved it beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Well thank you; Captain Obvious!

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Maybe try quoting the post you are using as reference...

Damn, they should just go ahead and call off the whole season. You seem to know everything; can you read the future too? :rolleyes:

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Why be a ****? The guy was just making a statement that Vilma doesn't have enough speed to play OLB. Chill.

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

He is a troll, have you not read anymore of his posts these last couple of days?

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Seems the dictionary disagrees with you

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

How many boards have you been banned from again? I guess it's always everyone's fault...

Let's keep it in the Ultimate Smack-talk section from now on, unless you have constructive football talk...

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Truce!

Re: Junior Galette, Martez Wilson eager to 'turn it up' a notch for New Orleans Saints this year
 

Then do so & be awesome - BOTH OF YOU!! :bng: