Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

For Craig Robertson, signing with the New Orleans Saints in March was an easy decision.

The 28-year-old linebacker spent the past four years with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted out of North Texas in 2011 and experienced zero team success. During the past four seasons, the Browns went 19-45 and finished last in the AFC North each year.

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The Saints haven't done great the past two years, going 7-9 each season, but 7-9 was the Browns' best record during Robertson's time in Cleveland, a four-year stretch he called "rough" even though he and his teammates compete every week.

Under Saints coach Sean Payton, though, 7-9 has become unacceptable.

"To be honest, I came here for the opportunity to win, to be honest," Robertson said after practice at The Greenbrier on Sunday. "It's just an organization that it just surrounds itself around winning. ... I talked to Sean (Payton), and that's what the whole meeting was focused on was like hey, how are we going to get back to what we do when we're winning. And that's all I want to be a part of."

If Robertson keeps playing how he has the first few days of training camp, he could play a significant part in the team's hopeful improvement. He's had a fair amount of work with the first-team defense and already has a few pass break-ups, and he said his coverage skills are a strength, which would help him earn a role on defense.

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Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

I've certainly heard good things from training camp about his coverage skills, something we haven't had from an LB in a long time.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

He's arguably our best cover Linebacker; I think he starts in Ellerbys stead... A mixture of Robertson and Stupar(who also plays damn good special teams)

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

So far in camp, Craig seems to cover a lot of ground.

Can't wait to see what chemistry he has with James L at the MIKE.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

We have more speed in the front 7 then... Shoot I don't know if we ever have had this much speed.

Could be a very interesting year, but I'll stick to saying injuries will define this season.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

We had back in the Haslett track-team days. Sedrick Hodge and a bunch of other cats that could just straight fly but couldn't play football worth a damn. That seems to be the difference now...

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

he should make an impact on passing downs right out of the gate. An area the saints did really bad at the LB level in 2015.

specializes in pass coverage.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

is that when jr. galette appeared, it took him awhile to get on the field becuase thats what he was just shoot out of a cannon and catch air.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

Galette was probably still in elementary or middle school back then

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Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

Assuming Ellerbe is healthy this season, I wonder if we will see him and Robertson together on passing downs? Both are very good in coverage.

Just a thought.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

I have been pondering this in my head since he got here, add Stupar to the mix also. My question is what to do with Anthony? He got his wings clipped when JL came in as our new MLB, it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all to put Anthony back at MLB to go with Ellerbe and Robertson on passing downs and learn a little from JL to boot. We are fairly deep at lb. but adding another when all the teams make their cuts could go a long way.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

Yes sir. From what I have gathered and read on Browns blogs, Craig played the MIKE spot up in Cleveland ... very well. Maybe Allen "tinkers" with that here. Payton also commented on this very topic but I can't seem to find the sound byte at the moment. At some point (maybe not this season) I do suspect Stephone will transition back to MIKE from Sam after he gains confidence & valuable teachings from JL.

I'll be just as curious as you are to see how this unfolds at TC.

Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

I thought they moved Anthony to the starting SAM position. This shouldn't affect him.

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Re: Saints LB Craig Robertson looking forward to 'fresh start' after starting career in Cleveland
 

I think DB is our strongest point on D assuming Lewis makes it back but to also have LBs that can cover is unheard of on the Saints. We still need pressure on the QB though.