Tyler Shough recently went on the 104.5 ESPN Off The Bench Podcast, going over what it's been like for him in the NFL. When asked how his first year has gone, the potential franchise quarterback called it a blessing.
"I love it here; the people here are what make it. I think that's why everyone stays here. I think everyone I talk to is either from here or moved here and hasn't left. It's such a cool environment to be in," he said to hosts Jacob Hester and Matt Flynn. "I'm just excited to continue to grow and see what we can do."
The former second-round pick has certainly immersed himself in the city's culture, quickly catching on. From having his first meal at Drago's Seafood Restaurant, to serving as Grand Marshal of the Pygmalion parade and even thrown a touchdown pass to a Savannah Banana to a sold-out crowd in the Superdome, Shough has proven to be a man of the people.
Tyler Shough is going to have to do more than be likable to lead the Saints
With everything he's done off the field, Shough still thinks that he has things to prove between the lines. "You can't (earn respect) right away. It has to come naturally, and I've only played half a season, if that."
Tyler Shough didn't stop there when speaking with the former NFL players, telling them that the overall mission of the team is learning how to stay in the fight and keep getting better. That's certainly something that the front office has echoed, signing a new guard, running back, and tight end within the first few days of free agency.
Shough was encouraged by the signings he described as elite talents. "Getting to know them as humans too has been cool, because there you see the vision. You see the front office's plan," he said about the signings. "You love what they're doing...I know we have a long way to go until football season comes, but I think the exciting part is the plan that we have in place, the process that we're going through to get there."
Shough, once again though, used the topic as a reason that he has to improve, saying that his job is to continue getting better and be the best quarterback he can be for "the guys who came in want to win and want to contribute." Whether it's for the incoming players or for himself, the Saints are going to need Shough to take a stride forward to justify slightly elevated expectations.