Elliott accepts challenge to make Saints

Published 12:30 am Monday, August 13, 2018

METAIRIE — Linebacker Jayrone Elliott plays one of the most competitive positions on the New Orleans Saints team.

He’s surrounded by nine other linebackers: the three primary starters from last season — Manti Te’o, Craig Robertson and A.J. Klein; two players who were injured for most of last year but are healthy now (Alex Anzalone and Nate Stupar); a three-year veteran who’s playing mostly linebacker after three injury-plagued seasons as mostly an end (Hau’oli Kikaha); a highly regarded veteran free agent in Demario Davis, the Jets’ leading tackler a year ago; and two undrafted free agents in Colton Jumper and KeShun Freeman.

So it’s a challenge for Elliott, a four-year veteran who missed the rest of last season after being released by Dallas in September, to climb the depth chart at linebacker.

But that’s not his only path to earning a roster spot this preseason.

His special-teams ability and the versatility that allows him to contribute as a pass-rushing end in sub packages could earn him a job even with the linebacker logjam.

Elliott strengthened his position in the 24-20 victory at Jacksonville in the preseason opener last Thursday by starting on multiple special-teams units and adding two sacks and a game-changing forced fumble on defense.

“I think I got off on the right track,” Elliott said. “I put some good stuff on film. I was just trying to make some plays. We’re all competing for a roster spot. I’m just trying to take it day by day, brick by brick and plant some good bricks out there.

“In the preseason they don’t really keep stats or your record, but you’ve got to go out there and put great stuff on film when your chances come.”

Stupar and former Saint linebacker Michael Mauti both made the team the last two seasons by filling bigger roles in the kicking game than on defense.

“If you can rush and then find a way in the kicking game, those are two good things,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “I thought (Elliott) did pretty well the other night.

“He’s playing Sam (linebacker), so he’s a situational rusher who can play in the kicking game. When you’re looking at a player who’s maybe going to play a certain role or a certain number of snaps defensively and he’s going to be active in the game, he’s someone who’s demonstrated he can play in the kicking game. I think that’s going to be real important for him.” 

Elliott said “it felt like an eternity” waiting to get back. 

After being released last season, he established his own game-week routine, working out Tuesday through Thursday, taking off Friday, doing football work on Saturday, then traveling on Sunday for a Monday tryout.

He estimated that he worked out for 20 NFL teams last season between the third week of the regular season and the second week of the playoffs.

“I was somewhere every week,” Elliott said. “Kudos to my agent.”

But Elliott didn’t land a job until the Saints signed him in January.

“It was real humbling, but at the same time I just trusted the process and was just waiting on the next opportunity,” Elliott said. “I had plenty of workouts and I was waiting on that one team to call. The Saints took the bait and I’m just blessed to be here.”

Elliott, who played in 38 games in three seasons with the Packers before being traded to Dallas last September, said he’s trying “to add something” to the special teams and see if there’s a niche for him on defense as well.

He said linebackers coach Mike Nolan and the Saints veteran linebackers have helped him get up to speed in a short period of time.

“I’m just blessed to have great veteran guys in the group with me,” Elliott said. “I like to pass rush. It helps out a lot, but we’ve got two great pass rushers on the edge already (ends Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor) so I know my calling on this team would be on special teams.

“I’m going to go out there and attack special teams like a game every day with the mindset to get better and lead the younger guys and get in that great group.”

Notes

The Saints signed two defensive backs, who went through their first practice Sunday – Marcus Williams (same name as their starting safety) and Robert Nelson. The team released DB De’Vante Harris and G Trevor Darling.