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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

Danno

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

We finally have a badass MIKE.

frydaddy

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.

Mais forte do que a morte

VegasSaint9

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

K Major

What's not to like about Anthony?

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

Danno

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.

rezburna

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.

ChrisXVI

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.

Mr.Riaton

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

Yours truly,
Captain Obvious

ChrisXVI

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