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The New Orleans Saints drew closer to their squad on Tuesday, in time for the team to prepare for its formidable Sunday test against the Los Angeles Rams at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Defensive tackle David Onyemata joined the team after serving his suspension of a match, imposed by the league. And given the caliber of the opponent and the fact that the Saints (1-0) had some areas to defend after the 30-28 win against Houston, their first game of the season, the moment of Onyemata's return could not be much better.
"It's huge," said quarterback Drew Brees. "It's part of the D-line. Obviously, he is an impact player, but also from a depth point of view, with a particularly dynamic group such as the offensive that our defense faces with the Rams. The deeper you are, the more you can scramble guys and keep them cool. It's important. "
The return of Onyemata is significant for a defense that allowed 180 rushing yards and a touchdown in just 23 runs against Houston. New Orleans started undefeated rookie Shy Tuttle in the defensive tackle, then turned in sophomore Taylor Stallworth to the position.
Onyemata, who had never missed an NFL game before the game opened, had amassed 4.5 sacks (including three against Dallas), a forced fumble and 36 tackles in a rotation involving Sheldon Rankins, Tyeler Davison and Stallworth.
"Just go out and play ball," Onyemata said. "You can not do much (suspended), you can just watch and have the spirit just to come back and play ball.
He was a force at training camp, knowing that he would miss the first game of the season but preparing to be ready when the time came.
"He made a very good camp," said coach Sean Payton. "I think he's managed the situation well. He is badass. He is an excellent teammate and a very good football player. It would be nice to get it back. "
In his absence, the Saints produced a six-bag match against Houston, with 11 hits for the quarterback against Deshaun Watson. If Jared Goff of the Rams is under similar pressure, Onyemata thinks he can participate.
"At this point, you have to remove him from his position, you must be able to put him uncomfortably in the pocket," said defender Cam Jordan about Goff. "And I think we now have David Onyemata added for this week, it will be a huge advantage for us on line D."
They will have a rested Onyemata. They will also have one wiser, who has had three seasons to become more familiar with the NFL after not playing football until college and then college at the University of Manitoba.
"It's just understanding, learning," he said. "You can never stop learning. Every week, you learn something new, it's a bit like that mindset that I approach.
"At the end of last season, I only see new things, I start things better and I'm in the game longer. Being in American football for four years now, you understand a little, you see different things and it slows down. "
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