After entering the NFL following a high-profile college career (and an even higher-profile story surrounding his personal life), Manti Te’o has been relatively quiet in his two years with the Chargers. A part-time starter, Te’o hasn’t been a bust of a second-round pick, but he hasn’t been an impact player, either.
This year, Te’o thinks that’s going to change. With new linebackers coach Mike Nolan in San Diego, Te’o says he feels like he can be a playmaker more like he was at Notre Dame, where he was widely regarded as the best linebacker in college football.
“Coach Nolan brings an old-school feel to not only our position, but to the defense as a whole,” Te’o said, via ESPN. “He’s all about making plays. He’s all about doing whatever it takes to put each piece in a position to make a play. It’s definitely a good thing to have him here.”
The Chargers’ defense struggled through a rough 2014 season, but Te’o believes they’re ready for a course correction this year.
“We all can do a better job, especially up front,” Te’o said. “Just being more stout, knowing where everybody’s going to be and just having that mindset that we’re going to make a play. Definitely each one of us can do better at that.”
Te’o looked better in college than he has looked so far in his NFL career. Nolan might be the coach who can get the most out of Te’o’s talent.
