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Junior Galette is keenly aware of what's at stake this season. As someone who makes a living on rushing the passer, he understands better than others the importance of timing, of seizing the moment.

This is Galette's time to shine in the NFL. He's been anointed a starter at outside linebacker and will be given every chance to become the team's premier pass rusher this season. And after a long circuitous path to the league, he's not about to squander this golden opportunity.

"I know that, the fans know that, everybody in this organization knows that," Galette said Tuesday as sweat poured across his forehead and down his bushy beard after another brutal practice at Saints camp.

Considering the Saints' recent defensive deficiencies, it's not a stretch to say Galette will be the most important player on the roster not named Brees.

Martez Wilson is sidelined. Will Smith just turned 32. And Victor Butler in all likelihood is out for the season. The Saints' pass rush could rest solely on the tatooed shoulders of the 6-foot-2, 256-pound outside linebacker.

If Galette were a little intimidated by the prospect it'd be understandable. After all, he's started just two games and recorded a grand total of 9.5 sacks in his nascent career.

But instead he's amped at the idea.

"Intimidated?," Galetted asked incredulously. "I love the pressure.

"Pressure either bursts pipes or makes diamonds. I'm a diamond in the rough."

Rough would be apt description of Galette when he arrived at Saints camp an undrafted free agent four years ago. Galette was considered a draftable talent by scouts but a checkered past scared most teams from investing a draft pick in him.

A native of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, he moved to New York at age 10, starred at prestigious St. Joseph Regional School in Montvale, N.J., before earning a scholarship to Temple University. He was booted from the team after his junior season for his role as an accomplice in a theft. Under school policy, he was held accountable for laptop computers stolen by one of his relatives who had been staying in his apartment. He matriculated to Division II Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he finished his college career in relative obscurity.

The Saints' staff was reluctant to trust Galette initially. While there was no denying his explosive pass-rush skills off the edge, he also showed a penchant for missed assignments. So they patiently worked with him and waited for his maturity level to match his ability.

Last year, Galette started to put it together.

In just 12 games, he recorded a career-high five sacks and ranked fourth overall in Pro Football Focus' Pass-Rushing Productivity statistic among 4-3 defensive ends with 30 total quarterback pressures in 187 pass rush snaps.

In addition to the sacks, Galette registered five quarterback hits and 12 hurries in 299 total plays, according to Football Outsiders, making him the most effective pass rusher on the roster. By comparison, Cameron Jordan had eight sacks, five hits and 16.5 hurries in 1,038 snaps and Will Smith six-15-15 in 986 snaps.

The front office rewarded Galette with a three-year, $6.3 million contract in March.

"It was a blessing, a huge step in where I wanted to go," said Galette, who signed the deal against the advice of his agent, who encouraged him to wait a year for a potentially big payday in unrestricted free agency. "I'm not where I want to be, but I'm on my way."

Galette knows the Saints are counting on him in a big way this season.

New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has already inserted him into the coveted Jack linebacker position in his new 3-4 scheme. That's the glamor spot in the system, the same position James Harrison played in Pittsburgh and DeMarcus Ware played in Dallas.

If things go as planned, Galette will top his 9.5 sack career total in a single season. That would go a long way toward curing the ills of the Saints' defense, which hasn't had a player record double-digit sacks since Smith had 13 in 2009. Smith also had 10.5 sacks in 2006, the only other season in Payton's seven-year tenure in which a Saints defender dropped the quarterback 10 or more times. Those just happened to be the club's two more successful seasons.

"I know one thing -- I'm betting on Junior Galette," Ryan said after a recent practice. "I think he's going to be special. I do. People can say whatever they want.

"He ain't sneaking up on anybody, but they're not going to be able to block him, either."

With defensive stalwarts like Smith, Jon Vilma and Roman Harper having reached or passed 30, the Saints desperately need one of their young core of Twentysomethings to emerge as a leader and playmaker on defense. Galette, the Saint that looks like a Buccaneer and plays like a Panther, appears most likely to succeed in making the leap from understudy to standout.

"I'm proud of him," said defensive line coach Bill Johnson, who stewarded Galette's development during his first three seasons. "He's grown as a player, as a person, as a worker. He's become a pro.

"You'd need one of those navigators to find out how he got here."

While confident, Galette also knows he'll need help to get there. The best pass rushes always come in pairs. Think Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil in Denver, Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas, Aldon and Justin Smith in San Francisco.

If Galette is the lone threat this season, it won't take long for opposing offenses to focus their protection schemes on him. When and if they do, Smith, Cameron Jordan, Akiem Hicks and Tom Johnson, among others, will need to take advantage of it.

But first, Galette must make teams understand why growing legions of Saints fans are brandishing Fear the Beard T-shirts these days.


Junior Galette is New Orleans Saints' most important player not named Brees | NOLA.com

Danno

I know it was meant as a compliment, but that analogy pisses me off.

papz

He was being too cute with the analogy... I think it was kind of lame honestly.

Anyways, I think Duncan is jumping the gun here with Galette... but I understand the point he's trying to make. While Galette is our biggest breakout candidate, his success will be determined largely by the success of Jordan, Bunkley, Hicks, etc. I'm going to use Justin Smith and Aldon Smith as an example. When Smith is on his A game, he makes everyone exponentially better... as a does a J.J. Watt. If we get Cam Jordan's game to the next level, he can have the same type of effect. So in turn, I'd have to say our next most important player, at least on defense, would be Cam Jordan.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

Danno

Great point Papz, the RDE is critical to the ROLB's success.

There's a reason the Ravens moved Ngata to RDE from his NT position.

dizzle88

Galette is our best pure pass rusher, I just hope his pass rushing skill genuinely translates to this 3-4 D

From updates in training camp, sounds like he's going to be a beast for us

rezburna

I agree. Isn't Hicks playing RDE? I already know Jordan is going to thrive at his natural spot as a 3-4 lineman as well as Bunkley. Its going to be a sack filled year for Gallete.

Danno

Jordan switched sides. He's now at RDE, but Ryan often moves them around.

rezburna

Makes since. Can't wait to see it.

xan

I always bet my wad on preaseason drills.

vpheughan

"Breakout" is the new "It is what it is"