Manti Te'o Signs With New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints defense just got another boost with the addition of Manti Te'o.
ESPN's Mike Triplett has reported that the former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Saints. NFL.com's Mike Garafolo and The Advocate's Nick Underhill also confirmed the move.
Well, the Saints now have a lot of middle linebackers to choose from. Last season's starter, Craig Robertson, is still on the roster and A.J. Klein also joined the team two weeks ago. The three of them will have to compete for playing time since the team only uses two linebackers. However, Triplett believes they are versatile enough to play alongside each other.
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"Based on the way the Saints aggressively went out and got Klein on the first day of free agency, he probably will be penciled in as the starting middle linebacker to start the offseason. But Te'o, 26, could give Klein a run for his money," Triplett said in his report.
"Te'o could be moved to strongside linebacker, though he doesn't have much experience there, and it's a part-time position in New Orleans. Perhaps Robertson or Klein could move to the weak side to split time with (or replace) Dannell Ellerbe," he continued.
Dannell Ellerbe, Stephone Anthony, Nate Stupar, Hau'oli Kikaha, Royce LaFrance, Travis Feeney and Adam Bighill are on the team's roster and they will have to fight for minutes as well.
Te'o is a solid linebacker, but signing him is a little risky for the Saints. He has missed time in every season due to injuries. Last season, Te'o played in only three games because of a torn Achilles tendon.
Te'o was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2013 National Football League (NFL) draft and he has played with the team for four seasons. In 38 career games (34 starts) with the Chargers, Te'o has accumulated 221 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.
