Saints Sideline Blog

Strong Shanle

Sunday, August 15th, 2010      Email Print

presented by Louisiana Machinery and Capital One Bank


Remember this time last year, when there was a buzz that Derrick Brooks had worked out for the Saints and there was speculation that he could replace Scott Shanle in the starting lineup?  Well luckily for the Saints, that didn't happen. Shanle was solid last season with 57 tackles and 2 interceptions in 14 games.  

Fast forward to Training Camp 2010, and there is a Shanle reshuffling in the works again.  With the departure of Scott Fujita(see Mike Nabors blog "Replacing Fujita") the black and gold were auditioning a host of guys at strong side linebacker.  This weekend Shanle got his shot and he might just stay there.  With Jonathan Casillas' stellar play Thursday as a weak side linebacker, Shanle's move to strong side seemed like a logical move.  But this isn't so much about Casillas as it is about Shanle.  Coach Payton speaks in glowing terms about the former Nebraska Cornhusker--throwing out adjectives like smart, versatile, and consistent, and an every down player on defense.  Sounds a lot like Fujita doesn't it?  And you can throw out unselfish to describe Shanle as well.  He is 100 percent behind the move and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the best linebacking corps on the field.

The move is nothing new for Shanle who did it before for the Dallas Cowboys in 2004 and then played middle linebacker for the Boys in 2005.  And if you go back to his college career, he was a strong side linebaker for the Huskers in Lincoln, but only after he had to walk on to the team.  So it seems Shanle has always been undervalued in his football career.  But time and again he proves how valuable he really is, and this summer is doing it once again.  And like those teams before them, the Saints are lucky to have him.

Camp Notes

Weight of the world on his shoulder-s---Adrian Arrington missed practice for the second straight day with a sprained shoulder.  He knows he needs to get back on the field and continue to make plays like he did Thursday against the Pats, if he is going to make this team.  He is hopeful to be back on Monday.

We're not in New England Anymore--Ahh those pleasant temps in Foxborough seem like a distant memory.  After days in the low 80's and a game time temp that dipped into the upper 60's, it spoiled players and us media types alike for a few days.  But back to reality today with heat advisories and a heat index well into triple digits out at camp.

Be like Bill---If you're looking to see the highlights from camp each day, you may have to be there.  Following Bill Belichick's lead, Sean Payton has elected to turn off the TV cameras once the Saints go into team portions of practice.

Just Meachey--We have yet to see Robert Meachem participate in team drills, but that could change this week.  Sean Payton says the wide receiver is right on schedule and he thinks he is close to being back, perhaps early this week.

By: Paul Boron

Post Comment | Read Comments (0)