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2018 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Preview: Linebacker The New Orleans Saints are just a week away from the official beginning of their 2018 training camp. The Saints defense White Michael Thomas Jersey , a major liability from 2012-16, has undergone major changes over the last few seasons. The unit as a whole had struggled, but the team's performance at linebacker was perhaps it's most glaring weakness. Often outmatched athletically, the linebacking unit as a whole was considered by many to be perhaps the worst in the NFL. Today's training camp preview has a look at some of the changes made at this position over the last couple of years, and how their performance might be a vital key to the 2018 season. LINEBACKER Key Losses: Michael Mauti (released), Adam Bighill (released, CFL)Key Additions: Demario Davis (free agent, Jets)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThe New Orleans defense finished last season ranked 17th in total yards and 10th in points surrendered. While a vastly improved secondary and better play up front were the primary reasons for the rise in rankings, the Saints linebacking play was still inconsistent at times. Still, improvement in this area was evident. Craig Robertson was the lone remaining starter from the 2016 defense, and he finished second in tackles after leading the team in the same category the year before. Robertson is an underrated and versatile defender capable of staying on the field in every situation. Although he does get caught out of position against the run at times, he was the Saints best coverage linebacker over the last two seasons, and led the team's linebacking unit with 2 interceptions and career high 6 passes defensed. Robertson is always around the ball, evidenced by his 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. New Orleans added another defender always around the ball when they signed A.J. Klein away from division rival Carolina a year ago. The 26-yr. old Klein made the most of his first opportunity as a full time starter, and was among the team leaders in tackles before having his season cut short by injury after twelve games. A very good run defender and underrated blitzer Michael Thomas Jersey 2019 , he tied Robertson with two sacks, tops among the team's linebackers. Klein is a capable man-to-man defender, and smart in his zone drops, although struggles at times with sideline to sideline reaction. Manti Te'o stepped up into a prominent role when injuries thinned out a linebacking corps that already had questionable depth. Although a liability in pass coverage, Te'o excelled against the run, racking up a number of big stops during the course of the year. He played all 16 games for the first time in his five year career, and will bolster depth and stability as he enters the final year of his contract. Nate Stupar returns to the team after missing all but four contests last year with injury. A special teams standout, Stupar also adds versatile depth to the defense with starting experience and the ability to play either inside or outside. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNew Orleans used the second of it's three 3rd round picks, 76th overall, last spring to draft Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone. After winning a starting job in training camp, Anzalone appeared lost at times in the first couple games before looking like he could round into a potential star. Unfortunately, his season was ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that plagued his collegiate career. Anzalone's injury history is a big concern to Saints fans, but he has the athleticism and instincts to be an every down player and possible defensive cornerstone. New Orleans signed Jayrone Elliott to a futures contract away from the Dallas Cowboys early into the offseason. The 26-yr. old Elliott had 3 sacks and an interception in 2015 with Green Bay, and totaled 47 tackles in three seasons there, as he tries to make a mark as a situational pass rusher. Undrafted college free agents Colton Jumper and KeShun Freeman will compete for snaps as well, hoping a standout performance will earn them a roster spot. Adam Hunger-USA TODAY SportsOne of the Saints' biggest offseason moves was the free agent signing of linebacker Demario Davis from the New York Jets. The 29-yr old Davis is coming off a career high 5 sacks and over 130 tackles in 2017, has 13.5 career sacks and has had over 100 tackles in four of the last five seasons. He is a fearsome tackler with tremendous speed and excellent play recognition New Orleans Saints Eli Apple Jersey , capable of playing the run or pass equally well. Linebacker coach Mike Nolan, whose hiring prior to 2017 made a major difference to the entire defense, has a versatile and athletic linebacking unit. Davis, Robertson, Anzalone, and Klein are all capable of playing any of the inside or outside positions, and have the ability to stay on the field in every game situation. The Saints linebackers are no longer overmatched physically, and were diagnosing opposing offenses well last season, even before the addition of Davis. The improvement of the New Orleans secondary and defensive line were primary reasons for the Saints defensive rise in 2017. Now a fast and physical linebacker group has the opportunity to make the 2018 New Orleans defense into an elite unit. No team has done more to limit Saints running back Alvin Kamara's influence on a game this season than New Orleans itself.That was by design, and Kamara says he's OK with it if an increasingly dynamic offense helps the Saints keep winning."I'm not worried about touches, whether it's a lot or a little," Kamara said after practice Wednesday. "Just take advantage of the plays that come."The Saints relied heavily on Kamara and receiver Michael Thomas in the first month of the season, when Kamara had more than 600 yards and six touchdowns from scrimmage and Thomas made 42 catches for 445 yards.In the most recent game before their Week 6 bye, the Saints demonstrated in a lopsided victory over Washington that they no longer need to do that.Suddenly, quarterback Drew Brees had more options when deciding where to go with the ball. That development could make it considerably harder to defend an offense that twice put up more than 400 yards and at least 40 points before running back Mark Ingram or rookie receiver Tre'Quan Smith had touched the ball once this season, and before fellow receiver Cameron Meredith, seen as a key acquisition in free agency Womens Eli Apple 2019 Jersey , had made as many as two catches."Everybody on the offense can make a play at any moment," said Kamara, whose six carries for 24 yards and three catches for 15 yards against Washington represented by far his lowest production this season. "We're a good offense and we're doing what we're supposed to do."Ravens coach John Harbaugh, whose team hosts New Orleans on Sunday, said the Saints have "two of the premier backs in the whole game" and an offense that is "back to full strength.""It kind of completes the picture that the Saints have for their offense," Harbaugh said.Meredith, who missed last season with a knee injury after leading Chicago in receiving in 2016, did not make his first catch with the Saints until Week 3, when his 11-yard touchdown was his only reception of that game. During the two games that followed, he caught eight passes for 103 yards."The more time we get together as a unit, it's only going to progress," Meredith said. "We've got young guys who are learning on the fly. All of that stuff is going to play a part."Smith made his first catch in Week 4, then caught three passes in Week 5 for 111 yards, including touchdowns of 62 and 35 yards.Ingram rushed 16 times for 53 yards and two TDs, and also caught two passes for 20 yards, in his 2018 debut after serving a four-game suspension for use of a banned substance.Meanwhile, New Orleans has found opportunities to further stress defenses by inserting Taysom Hill into games as a change-of-pace Archie Manning Jersey Stitched , read-option QB.Saints coach Sean Payton said he expected his offense to eventually become more diversified as the season wore on and will "continue to look at that and keep finding ways to mix and match who's in the game and how we can get them the ball."That has long been Payton's strong suit, Brees said."Everybody has their package of plays, the things that they're going to know stone cold so that when they go out there they can play with a ton of confidence and everybody knows that their opportunity can come at any moment," said Brees, who has completed 78 percent of his passes for 1,658 yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception."One game it's one guy carrying the load in the backfield for 100-plus yards and a couple touchdowns. The next game it might be the tight end position. The next game it might be a young guy like Tre'Quan coming up with two touchdown catches — three catches for over 100 yards. You just never know. And all those guys understand the importance of their role every week."Brees said the re-introduction of Ingram, combined with the emergence of Smith and Meredith, should only make it easier for the Saints' offense to adjust during games to the way they're being defended."We try to paint the picture for each guy that, 'Hey, we're not sure what we're going to get (defensively), but if we start getting this, man, this is your opportunity," Brees said.