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New Orleans Saints Safety Jim Leonhard

Post-Practice Media Availability

Monday, July 29, 2013

Are you a guy that always wore the (leg) pads or did you not wear the pads and how do you feel about the new rule that everybody has to wear the pads?

“I haven’t worn the pads in nine years so it’s definitely a change. It’s a good thing; We probably should have been wearing them the whole time. I don’t see it as an issue. Guys are going to get used to it. It’s going to be the guys that have been out awhile that are going to complain the most. It’s not going to affect the game. You’ve seen the college game and it hasn’t changed anything. It shouldn’t be an issue.”

Is it more of a mental thing than a physical thing or does it really slow you down?

“You definitely feel them. Your pants are a little bit tighter. Your legs are a little bit heavier, but you wear them every day and it shouldn’t be a problem. Guys will adjust; we have a long training camp here to get ready. It’s not going to be a problem.”

Can you talk about your role here, Most of the attention has been on Malcolm Jenkins, Roman and even Kenny Vaccaro. Obviously, you’re a guy that’s carved out a nice career here and you’re here for a reason.

“I’m not 100 percent what my role is going to be at this point. I’m just trying to come in, work hard and learn the defense and be able to communicate with my teammates. I have no idea what my responsibility is going to be, whether it’s special teams or playing some defense. You just come in work and keep your head down and try to bring the whole team with you and see what happens at the end of the day.”