Leadership took a hit for the New Orleans Saints defense this offseason. With the departure of linebacker Demario Davis and the current loss of defensive end Cameron Jordan, though Jordan is still available, the Saints are left with some influential voids around the unit. Even the free agency loss of cornerback Alontae Taylor contributes, as young corners looked to his example often.
To help counter those exits, the Saints wisely pursued and signed linebacker Kaden Elliss. A seventh-round draft pick for New Orleans in 2019, Elliss went on to be a three-year starter, team captain and defensive signal caller for the Atlanta Falcons.
He now brings experience and the voice of a leader with him back to the Big Easy. But in doing so, he’s not endeavoring to fill the shoes of those that departed: he’s ready to set a new standard with his own style of leadership.
“I’m coming here to be Kaden Elliss,” he said during the second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practice. “I’ve got great people around me, great teammates, great coaches, and the leadership will be dispersed throughout the team because Demario’s got a special voice. (Replacing him is) not what I’m here for.”
While Elliss rightfully can’t focus on replacing Davis as he returns to New Orleans, he does have a chance to bring his own leadership approach along with him and help the Saints identify other leaders in which to invest.
Dispersed leadership isn’t new for the Saints.
Davis, Jordan, Taylor and safety Justin Reid were among those that contributed just last year. Beyond the captains badge, the Saints implemented a team leadership council that featured non-captains, such as offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, to help keep the standard-bearing across the roster ever present.
Accountability has even resulted in the recent creation of SWAT, the Spring Workout Accountability Team, so named by director of sports performance Ted Rath.
Elliss will be one of the several standard-bearers the Saints will rely upon this season and is a shoo-in for a team captain badge. But his approach to endeavoring upon leadership will be his own, rather than an attempted replication of Davis’.
This goes further toward representing what has been a clearly defined new era for the Saints, as their bellweathers lead the charge.
