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Finally, just what the New Orleans Saints offseason needed: vague tweets. That’s what we got from linebacker Alex Anzalone, a projected starter who missed the entire 2019 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Anzalone tweeted out an ambiguous, “Good to go,” message last week, which Nola.com’s Luke Johnson was helpful enough to clarify as confirmation that Anzalone has fully recovered from last year’s procedure and has received the green light to participate in offseason activities.
Anzalone returning is a big win for the Saints defense, at least if he can stay healthy. While there’s no questioning who the best player on the unit is (that’s Demario Davis, the first-team All-Pro considered by some analysts as the best three-down linebacker in football), Anzalone does have a case as the team’s strongest coverage linebacker. He’s a good athlete, but has better instincts and ball skills for the position than many of his peers.
Of course, the big factor here is whether Anzalone can remain on the field. He’s lost two of his first three years in the NFL to injuries after a college career that saw him spend far too much time incapacitated with the Florida Gators. 2020 marks the final year of his rookie contract, and it will be a major litmus test as to whether his body has what it takes to hold up against the punishment that comes with playing professional football.
If it wasn’t 100 percent clear, I did confirm that this tweet means Alex Anzalone is fully recovered from shoulder surgery. https://t.co/iQMwv4d36Y
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) March 7, 2020
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