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Kaden Elliss understands the weight that comes with stepping into a large role in the New Orleans Saints defense. He’s been there before. Elliss also knows that there’s no point in trying to be someone else. After a recent OTA practice, the 30-year-old linebacker spoke at length about filling the void that Demario Davis’ departure left, but he ensured that his approach was direct. Elliss isn’t trying to be anyone other than himself.
“It’ll be very daunting. He’s a special player, special man, special leader,” Elliss said. “That’s not what it is. I’m coming here to be Kaden Elliss and be me.”
Elliss, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal to return to the Saints in free agency, is coming off three straight 100-tackle seasons with the Falcons. He’ll be stepping into a big role, but Elliss also expects the leadership to be shared across the defense in Davis’ absence.
“I’ve got great people around me, great teammates, great coaches, and the leadership will be dispersed throughout the team,” Elliss said. “Because Demario’s got a special voice, and that’s not what I’m here for.”
Beyond leadership, Elliss is also adapting to a new defensive system under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. When the former 2019 seventh-round pick was in New Orleans for his first stint, he played under Dennis Allen’s defensive system. Despite having played in multiple defenses throughout his career, Elliss said there are still new wrinkles to Staley’s defense that he must absorb.
“We’re going,” Elliss said. “It’s really awesome getting to spend time with Peter Sirmon and Brandon Staley and all these guys to get to hear how they skin the cat. There are a lot of ways to do it.”
Elliss said there are parts of Staley’s system that feel similar to things that he’s learned before, but there are also new elements to his defense. The goal, as Elliss explained, is to be up to speed long before the regular season begins. Keeping close to his coaches will allow for that.
“I’m trying to,” Elliss added. “Again, a lot of different coordinators in a few years here. I don’t want to be out there game one like it’s my first game in this defense. I want it to look like it’s my 50th game in this defense.”
It’s still early in the process, but Elliss is deadset on making the transition as smooth as possible. He’s not trying to replace anyone’s voice or copy anyone’s leadership style.
Elliss is focused on learning the defense, earning trust, and making sure that by Week 1, he looks like Staley’s system is second nature. There are big shoes to fill alongside linebacker Pete Werner and in the middle of the Saints’ defense, but Elliss is well on his way.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Kaden Elliss knows he must be himself, not Demario Davis, for Saints
Continue reading...
“It’ll be very daunting. He’s a special player, special man, special leader,” Elliss said. “That’s not what it is. I’m coming here to be Kaden Elliss and be me.”
Elliss, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal to return to the Saints in free agency, is coming off three straight 100-tackle seasons with the Falcons. He’ll be stepping into a big role, but Elliss also expects the leadership to be shared across the defense in Davis’ absence.
“I’ve got great people around me, great teammates, great coaches, and the leadership will be dispersed throughout the team,” Elliss said. “Because Demario’s got a special voice, and that’s not what I’m here for.”
Beyond leadership, Elliss is also adapting to a new defensive system under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. When the former 2019 seventh-round pick was in New Orleans for his first stint, he played under Dennis Allen’s defensive system. Despite having played in multiple defenses throughout his career, Elliss said there are still new wrinkles to Staley’s defense that he must absorb.
“We’re going,” Elliss said. “It’s really awesome getting to spend time with Peter Sirmon and Brandon Staley and all these guys to get to hear how they skin the cat. There are a lot of ways to do it.”
Elliss said there are parts of Staley’s system that feel similar to things that he’s learned before, but there are also new elements to his defense. The goal, as Elliss explained, is to be up to speed long before the regular season begins. Keeping close to his coaches will allow for that.
“I’m trying to,” Elliss added. “Again, a lot of different coordinators in a few years here. I don’t want to be out there game one like it’s my first game in this defense. I want it to look like it’s my 50th game in this defense.”
It’s still early in the process, but Elliss is deadset on making the transition as smooth as possible. He’s not trying to replace anyone’s voice or copy anyone’s leadership style.
Elliss is focused on learning the defense, earning trust, and making sure that by Week 1, he looks like Staley’s system is second nature. There are big shoes to fill alongside linebacker Pete Werner and in the middle of the Saints’ defense, but Elliss is well on his way.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Kaden Elliss knows he must be himself, not Demario Davis, for Saints
Continue reading...
