CSC Interview: WR Bub Means talks about being drafted by the Saints, his message for Saints fans and more

New Orleans’ 5th round draft pick shares his thoughts with Tina Howell.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the newest members of the New Orleans Saints WR Bub Means. Means was drafted by the Saints in the 5th round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. During our interview, he shared with me what it meant to him to be drafted by the Saints, the impact he wants to make on the team and community and his message for Saints fans.

TH: Congratulations and welcome to New Orleans and the Saints. During your Zoom interview on Saturday, you said that it was such a crazy day, and you were really surprised that the Saints drafted you. What was going through your head at that moment when you got the phone call?

BM: There were so many emotions. I’ve been working for this my whole life. So, that phone call just made it all worth it. It was actually hard to explain in words… Overjoyed, overexcited… It brought tears to my eyes, I literally cried when I got the phone call. It was a crazy moment, a blessing and I’m grateful for the opportunity for sure.

TH: Coming here to New Orleans, you are joining a great wide receiving group. What do you think will you set you apart from our other wide receivers and what will you bring to the offense?

BM: Well, I can do everything as a receiver. Whether that’s blocking, short routes, intermediate routes… But I feel like I can be a vertical threat, that is how I can impact the team. I play special teams. I am all over the field, just get me on the field and help me help the team get some wins. That’s my job. But yes, we have a great receiving corps with the Saints.

TH: You also said in the interview, “If you don’t block, you don’t get the rock.” What are your thoughts behind that?

BM: It’s just a team game. For us to get the ball, everyone’s got to do their 1 out of 11. Linemen gotta block, the running back gotta block, if that’s his assignment. The quarterback has got to get the ball to you, so when I’m getting the ball a lot of people have to do their job right for me to get the ball, so I’ve got to do the same thing when it ain’t my turn. When it’s the running back’s turn, when it’s the tight end’s turn, whoever has got the ball, I’ve got to block too. They helped me get the ball, so I got to help them get the ball. At the end of the day, me doing the job in the block game, getting in the run game, that’s gonna help the team get some wins and that’s all I am trying to do.

TH: You have been playing football for a long time, is there any NFL player past or present that you look up to and want to model your career after?

BM: Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson Jr. I kind of looked up to them growing up and they made me want to play the WR position. That started it off. But right now, I just feel like not too many people get this opportunity, so I feel like I respect everybody that actually got to play this game before me. All the greats… Jerry Rice, Reggie Wayne, Vince Carter. There are so many that you can name that paved the way for the new receivers so, I respect everybody who came before me that is actually in the league right now.

TH: You had a great season last year at Pittsburgh, leading the offense in both receiving yards and touchdowns, was there anything that you did differently in your game mentally or anyone who helped mentor you along the way?

BM: It just came from work. Me and Nata (Konata Mumpfield) #9 from Pitt, Coach Underwood… We just spent countless hours putting in the work. The only thing that comes from work is results. So, we just kept our heads down and kept grinding even with the obstacles and adversity we faced this season. We just kept grinding and kept working and it just showed off on the field with the production.

TH: As you know, Saints fans are extremely passionate and excited. What do you want them to know about you and what message would you send to them?

BM: I’m just ready to give my all. I’m ready to make an impact not only on the football team but also in the community. I just want to be able to make an impact in the community that I live in and that I’m going to be moving to pretty soon. I want to be able embrace the culture and become a part of the New Orleans community.

TH: Minicamp is just a couple of weeks away, what are you looking forward to first when you get here in New Orleans?

BM: Probably the food! Man, when I was out there in Louisiana, they have some of the best food in the world. So, I’ve got to get some good food… like some boudin or something. I remember the food, so that’s what I am probably looking forward to the most.

Thank you again to Bub for taking the time to speak with me. Welcome to New Orleans and we look forward to seeing you on the field soon.