Alex Anzalone making the right plays early in critical Saints training camp

New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone returned from another shoulder injury to get the jump on a starting job in training camp.

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The final year of a player’s rookie contract is often seen as a make-or-break opportunity. For Alex Anzalone, that’s even more true considering how much time he’s lost to injuries early in his New Orleans Saints career.

So it’s very encouraging to see that the linebacker has seized his opportunity. He’s been paired with Demario Davis in the starting lineup for nickel sets (which the Saints use more than most other defensive personnel packages), and remained on the field whenever the Saints roll out their base defense. Rookie draft pick Zack Baun and veteran free agent Nigel Bradham have been rotating in, but Anzalone is the guy to beat if either of them want to start.

And on Thursday, Anzalone was one of two defenders to intercept Drew Brees. Anzalone correctly read where the ball was going pre-snap and jumped a receiver’s route to snatch it away, just minutes after Brees threw up a ball from under pressure by the Saints pass rush. Free safety Marcus Williams put himself in position to pick Brees off that time.

It’s not the first time Anzalone has stood out at practice. He earned some praise from his head coach after Thursday’s training camp practice.

“I think he’s doing well, I know he feels healthy. He looks strong, his weight’s up, I like the way he’s carrying his pads,” Payton said in a media conference call. “He’s working with the first group, he’s someone who’s obviously played a number of plays for us and knows what to do, so I’ve been encouraged.”

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