Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

METAIRIE, La. -- Everywhere Brent Venables has been, he has coached a future New Orleans Saints middle linebacker. Mark Simoneau at Kansas State. Curtis Lofton at Oklahoma. And now Clemson’s Stephone Anthony, whom the Saints drafted with the 31st pick in Round 1.

“Those three guys, there’s a lot of similarities,” said Venables, who has spent the last three years as defensive coordinator at Clemson, which led the nation in total defense last season (260.8 yards per game). “Those are three damn good ones.”

Venables said those similarities include maturity, decision-making, love and passion for the game, toughness and leadership -- a word the coach used repeatedly while describing Anthony.


Read more: Clemson's Brent Venables says Saints' Stephone Anthony 'total package' - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Baring injury, this cat is gonna be the best LB we've had since the dome patrol studs.

We finally have a badass MIKE.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

He reminds me of Keuchley (sp?) Not saying he's at that point right now or that he'll be a beast from day one.. But damn, he certainly shares enough of the same traits to suggest he might. He's exactly the kind of guy I've been wishing we could have on defense for a long time. A force who imposes himself on the opposition. Someone they're gonna have to account for at all times. I thought Cam Jordan was gonna be that guy, hopefully he still can be. But I think Anthony can and will do it regardless. Really can't wait for the season to start. Looking forward to watching him play for years to come.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

I'm extremely happy over us getting him. Hopefully he can makes some plays while bringing consistency to our defense.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

What's not to like about Anthony?

More importantly I think he is a leader. Something we desperately need on defense.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

And its not just being a leader thats impressive. He also has a very high football IQ and has the potential to become the QB of the defense.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

He's the player I'm most excited to see. I can't wait to see what it looks like with he and Ellerbe manning the middle of the field. So much speed.....my Madden opponents will suffer a cruel fate.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

God I hope we finally start actually lining up in the 3-4. Anthony is the perfect Mike and Ellerbe excelled as the Will in Baltimore. Round it out with Galette at Jack and Spencer at Sam and we got us a pretty decent group of LB's.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Now all we gotta do is keep drafting defensive players like that and we'll have a good defense.

Yours truly,
Captain Obvious

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Just in time for us to move on from Brees and rely on our newly awesome defense while Grayson is taking his lumps.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

I love the fact that he played for a great defense. I was leary of Kenny Vaccarro when we picked him. He was the highest rated safety in the draft, but he played for a horrible defense. Oh I get to mention again, I wanted Eric Reid over KV. I really hope this guy stays healthy. Our LBs have been our weakest position for years and we haven't had a pro bowler since......who knows? I love watching LeVontae David of the Bucs play. It sounds like this guy could be a payer like that. Am I reaching? Is he as fast as David?

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

how was the dome patrol built? answer: LB first, the rest later

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

I'm really hoping all of you are right. Total package? We'll see.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

never know with draft picks, but this kid has all the skills and intangibles. Has real potential to be a very good one for us

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Hopefully there is another prospect like him in next years draft so we can have two young stud ILB's.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Athleticism is apparent.

Looks to take a few bad angles and recognition skills need development.

Stephone Anthony vs Georgia (2014) | Draft Breakdown

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

He doesn't have to be Kuechly, just stick and stay.... I would take it if he plays significantly and becomes a Kuechly or a David type..... but he doesn't have to be that right away.

Im just grateful we didn't reach to draft him or any other prospect. Last year was a nightmare.... Not the season, the draft season.... Cooks injured, SJB not playing, and no other Saints selection cracked the lineup for any significant amount of time... some of them didn't even make it throught the season......#wasted

I haven't given up on Vaccaro... I think he benefits the most from having LBers come up and do their job so he and the rest of the secondary won't have to....

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

This defense is going to completely different.

Thank God!

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

I was mad about our first pick but was extremely happy with every other pick especially this one. Cant wait to see him in Black and Gold.

Re: Brent Venables knows his Saints MLBs well, says Stephone Anthony is 'total package'
 

We now have the Mike to make this a top notch defense.