METAIRIE, La. -- Cornerback Terrence Frederick and outside linebacker Kasim Edebali could see expanded roles for the New Orleans Saints this week -- for two different reasons.
Frederick told The New Orleans Advocate that he’s been mixing in with the first-string defense during practice, though he does not know if he’ll start against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. And Edebali could see increased snaps if starter Junior Galette is out or limited by a knee injury.
Frederick could be part of a wider change throughout the Saints’ secondary. Corey White also told The Advocate that he has been spending some time at safety as well as cornerback in practice. And Kenny Vaccaro's role is expected to change in some way this week, which could mean a new starting strong safety as well.
The 24-year-old Frederick is a third-year pro who joined the Saints late last season, then spent the first half of this season on the practice squad.
The 5-foot-10, 187-pounder has only appeared in two career NFL games -- with the New York Giants as a rookie in 2012. But Saints coach Sean Payton said he’s been impressed by what he’s seen over the past year and called him a “pleasant surprise.”
“No. 1, he is smart, so he has good instincts,” Payton said. “When we brought him up (to the active roster) a couple weeks back, he very seldom is surprised defensively with what the coverage, what the front is, and what the call is. So he can align himself quickly. He’s experienced. I think he’s got real good hands. I think his football IQ is real high. And we saw it in training camp, and then he got nicked up a little bit. So he’s been kind of a pleasant surprise.”
Edebali (6-foot-2, 253 pounds) is reminiscent of Galette in many ways -- an undrafted rookie (from Germany via Boston College) who earned his way onto the 53-man roster with a high motor. He’s rotated in for about 10 snaps per game this season, totaling 17 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Payton said Edebali is still growing through “growing pains with his rush and certain things” -- including an offsides penalty before a punt that drew Payton’s ire last week against the Carolina Panthers. “But he goes hard,” Payton said.
“I like his motor,” Payton said. “He’s someone I think pursues well, and he has given us some good energy in his backup snaps. He’s also someone that can play in the kicking game in all four phases. That’s a big plus.”
Edebali played a career-high 32 snaps last week in the wake of Galette’s injury and actually performed well on a few read-option snaps (which otherwise caused New Orleans’ defense fits). Edebali said he had the advantage of recently playing in college, where he saw the read-option all the time.
Edebali said he “definitely” prides himself on that high motor Payton referenced.
“As a little kid, I think the first thing I learned playing this game was just go all motor, run ‘til the whistle blows. So every snap I try to do the best job I can,” said Edebali, who said he’ll embrace whatever role the Saints have for him. “When your jersey number’s needed, you gotta step up. That’s how it’s been this whole season.”
As for his penalty and Payton’s admonishment last week, Edebali said “it was rough.” But he said everybody on the team has his back, and he just needs to, “learn from it, fix the mistake and don’t do it again.”