Stephone Anthony

Saints intrigued by Stephone Anthony's potential

New Orleans Saints former first-round linebacker Stephone Anthony has linebackers coach Mike Nolan "excited about" his potential.

What It Means:

Anthony fell deep into the doghouse last season, playing just 133 snaps after seeing 990 as a rookie. Nolan's arrival appears to have wiped the slate clean. "I've gotten to know Anthony on a personal level, as well as a football level in meetings, I like him," Nolan said. "Looking at tape of him... he made a lot of plays." Nolan added he thinks Anthony is best suited to play inside. The Saints added both A.J. Klein and Manti Te'o, but they would probably prefer the former first-rounder earning the starting middle job.

The Saints were third-worst in the NFL last season in terms of Adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points (NEP) allowed per play, but they fared better against the run, finishing 19th in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play.