Scott Shanle

Will compete for the starting weakside linebacker position.

Shanle was an unsung hero in the Saints' march to the Super Bowl last year. From the outside linebacker position, Shanle contributed 57 tackles and two interceptions. Over the past four years, he averaged almost 58 tackles per season and has missed only four games. While Shanle has been remarkably consistent, he will be asked to assume a larger role in 2010 with the departure of Scott Fujita via free agency.

After a solid 2008 campaign, Shanle is locked in as the Saints starting outside linebacker, a position in which the team does not possess much depth. Recording 87 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble, Shanle is a solid, yet unspectacular player at the position. He should be able to post numbers similar to those in 2009, however, if the Saints choose to acquire Derrick Brooks via free agency, his playing time could be reduced significantly.

After a solid 2006 in which Shanle recorded 99 tackles and four sacks, the five-year veteran managed just 69 tackles and no sacks in an injury-plagued 2007. Shanle should retain the starting job this season, and will have some IDP value if he can stay healthy and regain his 2006 form.

After coming to the Saints from Dallas before the start of the 2006 season, Shanle stepped in nicely as a starting outside linebacker. He finished the season with a career and team-high 97 tackles and added four sacks while starting 15 out of 16 regular season games. Shanle is expected to be the starter again in 2007 and should put up similar numbers, though he could lose some playing time to recent acquisition Dhani Jones.

He's not IDP-worthy, but Shanle is an important cog in the Cowboys' LB rotation.

Promising youngster is pushing Bradie James for a starting MLB spot in the new 3-4 defense.

Shanle is a bottom-of-the-roster special teams player.