Saints' Payton compares rookie Lattimore to Kendrick Lamar
Sean Payton is convincing all the young kids how cool he is.
With the New Orleans Saints depending on rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore to play a big role this season, Payton analogized rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose skills and lyrics are regularly questioned, to his young defensive back as motivation.
"Listen, I told him he's gonna be like Kendrick Lamar. They're all gonna get in line to go see him," Payton said of Lattimore, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett. "That's just how it is for a rookie corner. So there'll be a long line waiting to test him, and he understands that. And that's part of that status."
Lattimore hasn't sat down or been humble about Payton's challenge, doing what he can to fill an important role in his rookie season.
"I had to step up because coach wanted me to step up way more than what I have been doing," said Lattimore. "So I just accepted the challenge and got it done ...
"I still have to get way ahead, so during this little break I have to get in here and just learn the playbook more and just watch film."
Lattimore, the 2017 11th overall pick, is expected to be a starting cornerback in the Saints' lineup along with Delvin Breaux.