Look at New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone’s stat sheet and you’ll come away impressed. While he hasn’t started a game in 2018, playing behind veterans Demario Davis and A.J. Klein, Anzalone is earning his stripes and looks like the future of linebacker play in New Orleans.

Anzalone has paved the way to big plays in recent weeks, sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, collecting a beautiful interception against Los Angeles Rams passer Jared Goff, and forcing a fumble out of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. The second-year standout discussed his growth and playmaking ability in a conference call with local reporters Monday:

“It’s good. I just want to do my part. I think coaches do a good job putting us in good positions to make plays. I think that you just have to execute and the plays will come if you’re there. So Just being (in) the right spot at the right time making the right move at the right times really when I created that too.”

When asked which of those splash plays he was most proud of, Anzalone conceded that it was the game-changing interception to put the Saints in position to extend their lead over L.A. He explained why it topped his list:

“Just because it’s something that as linebackers we work on that all the time and the way I was able to get the ball from the position I was in and I took a step to the left and then cut back. I felt like that was what made those, out of those three plays, that’s what was most impressive.”

Anzalone also gave credit to his teammates for celebrating the important turnover with him: