ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher

jeanpierre · 07-02-2015, 08:41 AM

Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer

METAIRIE, La. -- Hau'oli Kikaha figures he might have run downfield covering a tight end once in his entire college career at Washington, where he racked up 32 sacks over the past two years as one of the nation's top pass-rushers.

But coverage is becoming a regular part of Kikaha's repertoire now that he's a rookie outside linebacker with the New Orleans Saints.

"It's kind of half and half," said Kikaha, who embraced the challenge of learning his new responsibilities from the moment his senior year ended.

"It's something that I knew that I'd be working on this entire offseason," said the 6-foot-3, 246-pounder, who expected NFL teams would project him as a 3-4 outside linebacker. "So I've been working on it a ton, and I feel like I'm a lot more comfortable now. Things are easier, my eyes and my feet and my hands. It just kind of clicks a lot better than it had in the past."

Kikaha said he's excited to keep growing and show what he's worth. That attitude has been evident to those around him...

Source: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Reads like this have it looking like we're finally moving to the 3-4 defense...

Rugby Saint II · 07-02-2015, 12:21 PM

I didn't realize that he had no coverage experience. With Jr. on the outs it looks like he will get the majority of the reps. We still have Spencer though.....I hope he's the short term answer while Hau learns the ropes.

halloween 65 · 07-02-2015, 01:11 PM

If he can get the pass coverage down and can maintain the corner JR. will be an afterthought. I hope he excells in all of it.

hagan714 · 07-02-2015, 03:30 PM

just do not give up the edge.

alleycat_126 · 07-02-2015, 04:04 PM

I don't remember Junior running after TE's all that much.... IJS... If he can set the edge.... and follow TEs there could be mad pro bowls in his future....

ChrisXVI · 07-02-2015, 04:37 PM

I take this as us committing more to the 3-4 because we've only been lining up in that formation 33% of the time. If we're having him work so much on dropping into coverage then I have to believe we'll see more of a true 3-4 defense.

rezburna · 07-02-2015, 05:39 PM

I'm excited to see our defense more then anything else.

SloMotion · 07-03-2015, 06:58 AM

This guy is 'local boy' through & through, which means he has a lot of Hawaiian pride & a warrior spirit ... this one's paying dividends, fellas

. "No Ka Oi" ... means "best of all". Great pick,

... my son's a 'local boy',

.

07-02-2015, 08:41 AM	#1
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer METAIRIE, La. -- Hau'oli Kikaha figures he might have run downfield covering a tight end once in his entire college career at Washington, where he racked up 32 sacks over the past two years as one of the nation's top pass-rushers. But coverage is becoming a regular part of Kikaha's repertoire now that he's a rookie outside linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. "It's kind of half and half," said Kikaha, who embraced the challenge of learning his new responsibilities from the moment his senior year ended. "It's something that I knew that I'd be working on this entire offseason," said the 6-foot-3, 246-pounder, who expected NFL teams would project him as a 3-4 outside linebacker. "So I've been working on it a ton, and I feel like I'm a lot more comfortable now. Things are easier, my eyes and my feet and my hands. It just kind of clicks a lot better than it had in the past." Kikaha said he's excited to keep growing and show what he's worth. That attitude has been evident to those around him... Source: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN Reads like this have it looking like we're finally moving to the 3-4 defense...
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

07-02-2015, 12:21 PM	#2
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher I didn't realize that he had no coverage experience. With Jr. on the outs it looks like he will get the majority of the reps. We still have Spencer though.....I hope he's the short term answer while Hau learns the ropes. ChrisXVI likes this.

07-02-2015, 01:11 PM	#3
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher If he can get the pass coverage down and can maintain the corner JR. will be an afterthought. I hope he excells in all of it.

07-02-2015, 03:30 PM	#4
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher just do not give up the edge. jeanpierre and MarchingOn like this.

07-02-2015, 04:04 PM	#5
alleycat_126 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Katy, Tx a suburb of Houston Posts: 2,089	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher I don't remember Junior running after TE's all that much.... IJS... If he can set the edge.... and follow TEs there could be mad pro bowls in his future....

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07-02-2015, 04:37 PM	#6
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher I take this as us committing more to the 3-4 because we've only been lining up in that formation 33% of the time. If we're having him work so much on dropping into coverage then I have to believe we'll see more of a true 3-4 defense.

07-02-2015, 05:39 PM	#7
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 7,903	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher I'm excited to see our defense more then anything else. SmashMouth and jeanpierre like this.

07-03-2015, 06:58 AM	#8
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	Re: ESPN: Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha learning to become more than just a pass-rusher This guy is 'local boy' through & through, which means he has a lot of Hawaiian pride & a warrior spirit ... this one's paying dividends, fellas . "No Ka Oi" ... means "best of all". Great pick, ... my son's a 'local boy', .

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