Jaylon Smith Interview - Saints Training Camp, Day 15
Newly acquired linebacker Jaylon Smith speaks with the Saints media for the first time.
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00:00 >> Jalen, how do you feel about the opportunity here in New Orleans?
00:05 Considering Household named you a seasoned vet for an opportunity here.
00:10 >> It's been a blast being here in New Orleans,
00:15 even getting off the plane, I felt the culture right away.
00:18 You hear so many great things about the booth, the culture, the food, the fans.
00:26 In my experience, playing against the Saints from afar, I felt it and
00:32 always had an appreciation for it.
00:33 So I'm just thankful that the team is welcoming me,
00:36 understanding the value of what I bring to the table.
00:41 But the only thing that matters is what you do now.
00:44 So I'm excited to be here and compete to make this team better.
00:49 >> What exactly made you think they were looking to see who that
00:52 off-ball linebacker was gonna be behind DeMar Davis?
00:55 I know there's a lot of time before the season starts, but
00:57 you feel like there's a role you might be able to help fill?
00:59 >> Yeah, I mean, for me, I'm a team guy.
01:01 I'm a guy who's had some success in this league and
01:04 I can still play the game at a high level.
01:06 Whatever coach asks of me, that's what I'm gonna do.
01:10 So I'm just happy to be here.
01:11 Me and DeMario, we have great respect for one another.
01:16 Even Petey being from the Hoosier State, just like me, he's from Carmel,
01:20 I'm from Fort Wayne.
01:21 So there's a mutual respect.
01:25 So just thankful to be here with these guys, for sure.
01:27 >> What do you feel like you can bring to this team?
01:31 How does something feel to you?
01:34 >> Outside of experience and production, just being in that leadership role.
01:38 I was a captain two years in the National Football League.
01:42 And just knowing what it takes to understand the preparation.
01:46 And then just a guy who's had experience going into year eight.
01:51 I've been through a lot.
01:52 But like I said, this is a team game.
01:55 I'm just happy to be a part of a group and a bond.
01:58 And each day, we get a chance to earn each other's respect.
02:02 So I'm just thankful to be here.
02:04 >> Jalen, as far as the calls and everything, where are you at mentally and
02:08 how long do you think that'll take?
02:10 As far as you get a feel where you can play fast and
02:13 you're not where it is second nature.
02:15 What is that process with you right now?
02:19 >> It's just time and experience.
02:20 I've played in multiple systems before.
02:22 I've played in this type of system before.
02:24 So a lot of things are similar.
02:27 It's just more of the terminology and the verbage and things like that.
02:31 So it won't take long.
02:32 >> As far as social media, people are happy you're here now.
02:37 But the game against Alvin, has people referenced that at all?
02:41 Has anybody even said anything?
02:43 I remember when y'all played them years ago.
02:46 >> Yeah, I mean, it was definitely a highly stouted game.
02:52 It was a Thursday night football game.
02:54 And it was just two guys competing against each other.
02:58 Two guys playing at a high level.
02:59 And he made some plays and I made some plays.
03:03 So definitely, it was just a blessing to be out there for sure.
03:08 >> And what have you learned over the last two years,
03:11 just kind of bouncing around the NFL, obviously Green Bay, New York.
03:15 And now here, what is that kind of taught you?
03:19 >> I think just being in different prestigious places,
03:25 just understanding how people operate.
03:27 And with experience comes wisdom.
03:31 And that's really what I'm thankful for.
03:33 All the coaches I've had, all the older players that I've gotten a chance to play
03:37 with, and myself being a vet now, being able to not only contribute but to give back.
03:43 So I'm just thankful to be here.
03:45 And like I said, whatever coach asks for me, that's what I'm gonna do.
03:49 And I'm gonna be ready for sure.
03:51 >> What are your early impressions of Mike Hodges, my backer coach?
03:55 >> Huge tenacity, a guy who loves the game of football, and
03:59 he coaches it the right way.
04:01 So much respect for him, even getting in, meeting with him early,
04:06 to get caught up with the playbook and things like that.
04:09 Just thankful and love the way that he coaches and brings the guys together.
04:13 >> Can you give me an idea of one of the things that he does that you would
04:15 classify as the right way in terms of how he teaches?
04:19 >> I would say just attention to detail.
04:21 He doesn't talk about something he can actually show you and pinpoint it.
04:27 Whether it's cut ups, explaining how he wants us to perform a technique.
04:34 And then from a standpoint of if we desire to get out on the field and
04:39 do some walk throughs, go through some cans and things like that.
04:44 Just the more the merrier.
04:46 And all of us, we have an eager to win.
04:49 And it's a sense of urgency here, for sure, being here in New Orleans.
04:53 >> If I can recall correctly, I think you played for several offensive head coaches.
04:57 Is there any kind of difference coming into a scheme or
04:59 a team with a defensive head coach?
05:00 >> I believe this is my first time playing with a more defensive minded coach.
05:09 I actually love it.
05:10 It's a little different for me, but I love it.
05:13 And I see DA out here calling the plays and things like that.
05:18 And it's a mutual respect.
05:20 But coming from different systems where I've played with offensive minded coaches,
05:26 it's just something that's unique.
05:28 But we're all here trying to grow and we wanna win.
05:32 >> Even now, so many years later, people always bring up the injury in college.
05:36 Do you feel like that's something that you wanna kind of put in the past or
05:40 you're not really hearing people talk about it?
05:43 >> I mean, it just adds to my story.
05:45 Being a projected top three pick, top five pick prior to my injury.
05:52 To be able to go into year eight, and I haven't missed a game since
05:59 my rookie year, which I had the red shirt because of my college injury.
06:06 It's just kind of been a staple.
06:08 And for me, just having that clear eye view, that focused vision,
06:11 determined belief, earned dreams.
06:12 I'm a guy that's an example.
06:15 And I'm gonna continue to contribute out on that field at a high level.
06:19 For me, having the opportunity to beat the odds,
06:25 it just speaks to my perseverance.
06:29 But also, having a belief system,
06:33 understanding that there's others who believe in me as well.
06:36 And then just having the opportunity to play the game that I love,
06:38 it's amazing.
06:40 It's a lot of doctors that said I wouldn't be able to play the game again.
06:43 And then on the college side, people's having the opportunity to
06:48 skip bowl games now, that wouldn't have happened prior to my injury.
06:54 So like I said, I'm just being an example and
06:57 I'm just thankful to be able to play the game I love still.
07:01 >> Have you talked to Brian Kelly since coming here?
07:03 >> I haven't, I haven't.
07:04 I talked to Jake, the strength coach.
07:06 He came over to LSU with Coach Brian Kelly and
07:09 just excited to see them down here as well.
07:14 Balling, trying to make some noise, for sure.
07:16 [BLANK_AUDIO]