Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed

Alex Anzalone has impressed so far, and he looks just like what the Saints have needed for several years.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ryek...10184814.0.jpg

by lok12lok
Aug 17, 2017, 10:00am CDT

Covering running backs and tight ends have been a big problem for the Saints for several years now. Almost none of their linebackers have had the athleticism and the sideline-to-sideline speed needed, and the one that had (Dannell Ellerbe) could never stay healthy and is set to be cut as soon as possible.

To help fix this issue, the Saints drafted Alex Anzalone in the 3rd round of this year's draft. And at this early stage, it's looking like a good decision.

Anzalone has played really well throughout camp and has shown up in the running game - and maybe more importantly in the passing game, where he has been tasked with covering running backs and tight ends. Furthermore, he also had a great showing against the Browns where he finished with 3 tackles. To explain how good Anzalone played, here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about his performance.

Anzalone showed sideline-to-sideline speed and range and he had some really impressive snaps. Here is one of them.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

I liked his play in the Cleveland game He finishes plays. He's my rookie pick this season.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Lets just pray the injury bug stays away. I think this guy can be pretty good and we actually have a LB coach worth something, to train him right.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

I am really high on him. Heard he struggled today though. But I like his instincts

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Let's sure hope so, the injury bug hit this guy very hard in college.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Early on he had some shoulder issues that appear to have been resolved. His senior year he suffered a totally unrelated broken arm. Broken bones usually heal stronger than they were originally. And broken bones usually aren't chronic, unless your name is Breaux. :(

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Anzalone so far sounds like our most active LB, can't be mad if he gave up a TD to Gates, that guy is a HOF'er.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Well in Breaux defence, if you have plates inserted there is a always a risk that you will get a fracture at the end of it. Bone is slightly flexible and can take a lot of punishment because of it but the plate takes that flexibility away.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

And that's exactly where the new fracture appeared according to Payton, right at the base of the previous one. That makes sense.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

He's a rookie. He will get it figured out.

I keep screaming about Willims too. That kid is serious at safety.

Tell you which LB impressed me most in Browns game was Teo. Dude was active and quick to the ball.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

I read somewhere that three years ago our fastest LB ran a 4.69 40. This year's squad all have times faster than that. Nolan should have these guys wreaking havoc.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

one preseason game down and way to early to judge

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Nice to hear some good news about linebackers. I just want the preseason to end. Right now.

Nothing but a money grabbing, injury causing, waste of time for these players that the NFL insists on. Practice and scrimmages are all they need.

Alright, that was my annual "preseason sucks" rant. Hope we stay healthy.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Ditto!

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

I read that too and it should make a huge difference, especially when covering TEs and Swinging RBs.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Your 100% right. There was a rookie pole and I had to pick one, he was it. I did like the way he finished plays though in that game and he hit hard. I do like this kid though.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

I can see that with how quick teo hits the hole. Good angles. Interested to see if he can keep that up

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Spot on. I hope this trend continues.

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Zach Streif in an interview on yesterday's Afternoon Wrap on NOS.com:
Afternoon Wrap for Thursday, August 17

made some observations that indicate that it's more than that for players and coaches. The summary is that playing/practicing with other teams exposes players to different looks and techniques that help to improve their game.

IMO while preseason isn't that critical for established veterans, it is a crucial development and evaluation instrument for young players trying to break into the league. They need the exposure and the tape in game speed conditions.

Now I agree that it's a travesty that the NFL and its owners charger season ticket holders full price for tickets to a scrimmage. It would be better if the tickets were discounted or simply given away to kids groups or the like. But the actual process of playing preseason games does have value.

Finally teams for the most part manage the preseason so that the starters that play real games in September are exposed to only about 3 actual quarters of game action:

Game 1: Starters go one series or do not play at all.
Game 2: Starters typically go a quarter or so.
Game 3: Full game planning with starters going a half or so.
Game 4: Starters do not play at all.

So while there is always an injury risk, it is limited for the guys that'll actually be playing full games with the season starts.

I can certainly agree with that. I'll add my rant of not reading too much into preseason games. Last week I was reading the names of players involved in the plays down the stretch of preseason game #1. They were all players who will not be in the defensive rotation or even on the 53 come September.

Getting ready and staying healthy is the most important issues when it comes to the preseason.

SFIAH

Re: Alex Anzalone has early looks of the linebacker the Saints have needed
 

Please please please stay healthy and motivated.......