The New Orleans Saints put on the pads for the first time this training camp Monday.
Day five saw the defense win the practice.
One of the guys who led the charge was defensive end Carl Granderson.
Granderson has been disruptive for the entire camp.
He is a big fan of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system.
“In high school I was the outside linebacker so I’m pretty much doing the same thing, flying around the field. I dropped down a few pounds and back at 270 and I feel good. I feel explosive, I feel quicker getting off the ball, yeah this system is designed for us to make plays,” Granderson said.
Granderson is very happy to be playing at 270 pounds.
“I’m back down, slim and trim like a bicycle rim, I got a six pack now and yeah I’m just flying around.”
Also flying around is newly acquired safety Julian Blackmon who made Staley proud after an interception at the end of Sunday’s practice.
Why was Staley so proud?
Well, he’s been chasing Blackmon down since he entered the NFL.
“Just been waiting five years, I said coach this is for you,” Blackmon said.
Blackmon is very high on a Staley.
“It feels good to be valued, you know you always feel good when you’re wanted somewhere and to be able to play for a guy that’s been wanting me, it feels great because every mistake that I have he’s like you’re fine, this what I see you doing. He’s very communicative so it’s really to just keep going and moving forward knowing that he has my back.”
In his first five years in the NFL, Blackmon had 10 interceptions in 62 starts with the Indianapolis Colts.
READ MORE:VIDEO REPORT: Safety Julian Blackmon happy to be in Staley’s defense, “It feels good to be valued”
