“It was tough mentally at first \u2014 I would say the first two months, maybe, when I was on bed rest. I couldn’t really move for, like, 60 days. Couldn’t walk, couldn’t do nothing \u2014 I was on a scooter, needed help to get out of the bed, to do everything. That time was a tough moment, but I got back to moving around, I got into the boot and I could walk a little bit.<\/p>\n
“I was just reading a lot during the whole process, watching a lot of tape, watching a lot of ball, just being a student of the game. That year, it built me up in a good way, honestly. It made me stronger as a man.”<\/p>\n
Emerson said he has been cleared for full participation, but will approach his return cautiously.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to rush anything because I’m nine months out,” he said. “But training camp, I should be full go. Not should be \u2014 I will be full go.”<\/p>\n
Jennings brings the experience of playing in the most recent Super Bowl, LX; he had six tackles in the 29-13 loss to Seattle.<\/p>\n
Jennings started 40 of 75 games and totaled 7.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 27 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 217 tackles.<\/p>\n
“I thought having an opportunity (with the Saints), especially after what they’ve done in the draft and how they finished last season, I felt like that was a good opportunity for me,” he said.<\/p>\n
Jennings lauded the multiplicity showcased in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme.<\/p>\n
“From Staley’s time in the NFL, he’s been able to coach up a lot of great players,” Jennings said. “The defense that he runs, the style that he brings \u2014 being a 3-4, multiple defense, being able to have guys that are versatile and switching up disguises and having different players in different places, being a multiple defense in and out, being able to move around the front and manipulate the front and still have a light box, stuff like that \u2014 I just feel like I’m a smart enough player where I can understand that, and I’m versatile enough that I can go out and produce and help the team win.”<\/p>\n