New Orleans Saints Linebacker Manti Te'o - 2018 Training Camp Presented By Verizon - Monday, July 30, 2018
Talk about playing in this type of weather. You don't want to get injuries, but it's kind of fun when it comes down and you just have to practice?
It's a lot better to practice in rainy weather than the heat. We got all excited because it cooled down a lot. We really enjoyed the rain.
Pretty big day for the defense out there. Do you think you guys played well?
"Yeah we feed off each other. It is a great opportunity for us to go against our offense every day. It's one of the best, if not the best offense in the NFL. For us to go against the offense and compete, it's only going to make us better. When we have days like today, it's a good building block for us. Now we have to keep stacking them up. A good defense can have one good day, but a great defense can continue that success as days go on."
With all your experience now in the NFL, what have you done in your offseason to get better?
"I just focused on my durability. There are a lot of injuries that you can't avoid, but you can do your best to limit them. I pushed myself to the limit this past summer. I had a great summer in San Diego with my guys back home. I started doing a lot of yoga and just surrounding myself with people that can take me to that next level. I have the work ethic and I put in the work. I put in the time, blood, sweat, and tears. It's always easier when you have a group of people that's working to attain the same goal.
What has Demario (Davis) added to the position?
"He just added a level of maturity and experience. He's a guy who is just passionate about the game, about life, about his teammates, and a great asset to our room and team. It is good to be around a guy that's fun. He is just another guy to compete against and compete with. He's going to get us better.
What stood out to you about this team's response to high expectations, especially so many young guys who got a lot of early accolades?
"I think we took from it the good things and now we kind of avoided the things that'll make us complacent. We took the compliments and we took things to build our confidence, but at the same time we avoided those things that would cause us to settle (for less). I think we grew from it and it shows a lot of maturity from the young guys, because we've depended on a lot of the young guys and they stepped up. You see them out here in training camp. From all the way back to OTAs, they come with the same edge, if not a sharper edge. We're looking to build off of last year."
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Tom Savage - 2018 Training Camp Presented by Verizon - Monday, July 30, 2018
Is there any challenge at all as a backup trying to do what you do and trying to emulate what the guy you might be backing up does?
"I don't think it's a challenge when you have Drew Brees in front of you. You follow what he does and try to mimic them and that's what you can do."
How much do you have to change up some of the stuff you're comfortable with?
"Some things. Obviously, I was with a different system for four years so there's little things you got to change, but kind of having a guy like that to follow along and then he's obviously one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It's easy to follow."
You missed the first couple of days, do you feel pretty caught up now and how far are you in the installation?
"I feel caught up in it. It's a tough install for sure. It's a new system, but I feel comfortable out there and I'm just trying to execute and do my job."
Do you recall last year when you out here practicing against the Saints, doing interviews and talking about responding to the tragedy in Houston as a team both on the field and off? Does this come full circle that you look in the crystal ball and now you're with the Saints?
"Yes, I mean that's a good lesson for all the younger players out there. You're always on film, you're always being evaluated no matter where you are. I'm just happy to be a part of this team."
Behind Drew (Brees), you have the most experience out of any of these quarterbacks. How much does just playing in a game help you when you are in this competition?
"I think it helps for sure. I think just being out there playing and live action. Whether it's here or with another team, I think it helps. I'm going to put all that stuff under my belt and roll with it."
Everyone talks about how complex this offense is, does this feel like you're a rookie again at all?
"Especially with my last half in Houston, I built a good foundation with just the general IQ of football, but this is definitely a complex offense. We have great room and we're all helping each other out. It's fun and I'm definitely excited to be part of this."
With all your experience now, what are your goals for preseason games? Is it to drive the team down to get a score. Will you break that down with your opportunity?
"That's ultimately what quarterbacks are evaluated on. How many times you get the ball in the end zone and if you win the game and that's really my main goal. I don't care how we do it so long as we get to the end zone."
Did you finish your home renovation?
"No. I'm never going to be finished, but I got the bathroom done. It's looking good so hopefully my wife is happy."
Maybe get a YouTube channel going?
"I'm just going to stick to my day job right now. That was tiling floor and my knees are all chafed up right now. I'm not cut out for it."
Do you pay attention to what media or other coaches said? I know Taysom (Hill) is kind of a young guy who grabbed headlines because he played special teams and he's kind of a young up and coming player. People don't talk about the polished veteran as much; do you pay attention to that or is it a media thing?
"No. I do not pay attention to it unfortunately. I love you guys, but I just do not read much. I'm just focusing on what I can focus on and whatever I can do to help this team out I'm going to do. I have enough support staff with my family and friends and this team and everyone in this building. It's exciting."
How would you compare this coaching staff as far as who you are dealing? Coach (Pete) Carmichael, Coach (Sean) Payton, Coach (Joe) Lombardi compared to what you had in Houston because when you look at the Saints for a dozen years they've been in the top ten in total offense?
"Obviously, I was blessed with great staffs in the past. This staff, obviously like you just said, with the proof out there of what they have been able to do offensively. It is exciting to be a part of and I am like a sponge right now. I am just going to keep soaking up all the knowledge I can from these guys and ask questions and do whatever I can to help this team."
Does that include working with Drew (Brees) and seeing what he does as well?
"Yes, for sure. You'd be dumb not to follow what Drew Brees is doing. I don't want to get to the point where I'm annoying him, but I'm just going to keep following him and continue to do what he does."
How long does it take to learn a new offense?
"I don't know. I think you're always learning. Obviously, I know that's the cheesy answer, but I think that's true in this offense. It's always evolving and I'm sure Drew is still learning new things as well. I think it takes a while, obviously, just to even call play in a huddle. It is getting there and I'm really confident myself that I'll get there."
How many hours do you spend a day you practice calling the plays?
"Quite a few hours. I know my wife is getting good at calling them to me on the phone."
