LB Scott Shanle

Linebacker Scott Shanle has landed a new four-year contract from the Saints, his new home where he found a pair of allies in the defensive coaching staff, a starting job at weakside linebacker, 117 tackles and four sacks.

Shanle is the first to benefit from his team's surprising success in 2006, and was scheduled to become a free agent on March 2.

His four sacks led the linebacking corps of the Saints in 2006. In the playoffs, Shanle had eight tackles, a sack and two quarterback hurries.

Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs brought Shanle to New Orleans from Dallas, where he had coached the Nebraska product since December 2003 when the Cowboys claimed him from St. Louis.

The Rams drafted Shanle in the seventh round of the 2003 draft, twenty picks after the Saints selected WR Talman Gardner.

The Saints starting linebacking corps from 2006 is now under contract through 2007. Shanle, MLB Marc Simoneau and SLB Scott Fujita started all 18 games for the Saints this season. The Saints began the game at Carolina in dime and the game at Dallas in nickel formation.

Click here for NOPF's Free Agency Central 2007.