Saints Acquire LB Help
 

Saints get Shanle from Cowboys for 2007 pick
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

August 23, 2006

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

The trade is pending the player passing a physical, the Saints said.

Shanle is entering his fourth season in the NFL. He joined the Cowboys in 2004, playing on special teams and starting 11 games. In 2005, he had 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

RE: Saints Acquire LB Help
 

Hmmmm.....don't know much about the guy but it sounds like he should be HUNGRY for playing time.

6-2 245


PRO: The Cowboys found a solid contributor via the waiver wire late in the 2003 season when they grabbed Scott Shanle (pronounced SHAN-lee). Originally drafted out of Nebraska in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Rams, Shanle was claimed off waivers by Dallas on Dec. 10 of that year. He immediately distinguished himself in practice as a smart player who could potentially make a visible impact for the following season. Shanle had a stand-out campaign for the Cowboys in 2004, finishing fourth on the team in special teams tackles and supplying a late-season boost to the defense at strong-side linebacker. The switch to the 3-4 scheme in 2005 opened the door for his emergence as a weak-side inside linebacker behind veteran Dat Nguyen. His intelligence and versatility also put him in position to be an opening day contributor as a starting middle linebacker in the Cowboys nickel defense. The unexpected season and career ending injuries to Nguyen in 2005 accelerated Shanle's progression into a starter in the middle.

2005: Following training camp, Shanle earned the role as the Cowboys nickel middle linebacker for the first several weeks of the season. After an accumulation of injuries forced Cowboys starting middle linebacker Nguyen into retirement, Shanle was thrust into the role of the starter along side Bradie James. Shanle, who battled injury setbacks of his own in the season's latter stages, closed the 2005 campaign tied for seventh on the team in tackles with 50. He also added four quarterback pressures, 1.5 sacks and a pair of passes defensed. In the season opener at San Diego (9/11), Shanle stepped in at middle linebacker in the Dallas nickel defense and recorded one tackle. In the Monday night loss to Washington (9/19), he recorded four tackles from his nickel middle linebacker spot as well as his first sack of the season, and second of his career, when he chased down Mark Brunell from behind. He also added a quarterback pressure and special teams tackle on the night. In the come-from-behind victory at San Francisco (9/25), he had two tackles as a nickel linebacker and tied for the team lead with two special teams stops. In the following week's loss at Oakland (10/2) he had four tackles and split a Kerry Collins sack with Jay Ratliff. In a key divisional win over Philadelphia (10/9), Shanle started in place of the injured Nguyen (neck) at middle linebacker and finished second on the team with four tackles and a quarterback pressure as the Dallas defense limited the Eagles top ranked offense entering the game to 129 total yards, including just 19 on the ground. He earned his second start of the year the following week against the Giants (10/16) - again replacing Nguyen - and was third on the team with four tackles. The Giants were held to 92 yards through three quarters and finished the day one-of-11 on third downs. At Seattle (10/23), he recorded three tackles while again replacing Nguyen at linebacker for the third straight week. Shanle also contributed a quarterback pressure that led to a 14-yard intentional grounding penalty. The Dallas defense limited the NFL's top ranked offense entering the game to 289 yards, 118 below their season average, and one touchdown. Shaun Alexander, the NFL leading rusher, was limited to 61 yards on 21 carries (2.9 avg.). In the win over Arizona (10/30), Shanle started and split time with Nguyen at middle linebacker. He recorded three tackles and helped limit the Cardinals to 213 total yards, including just 71 on the ground. In the following week's start at Philadelphia (11/14) he registered three tackles in the thrilling come-from-behind victory on Monday Night Football. In the win over Detroit (11/20), he recorded three tackles and helped limit the Lions to 226 total yards, including just 57 rushing on the day. He suffered a sprained ankle in the Lions game, and the injury forced him to miss the Denver (11/24) game. He returned to action at the N.Y. Giants (12/4) and contributed four tackles and his first pass deflection of the season. The Giants were held to one offensive touchdown and 150 net passing yards. In the win over Kansas City (12/11), Shanle led the team with a season-high eight tackles and also broke up a pass. He had five stops in the loss at Washington (12/18. While battling the ankle injury, he added two tackles at Carolina (12/24) while working primarily in the nickel package.

2004: Shanle started his first full season in Dallas as a special teams standout, finishing the year fourth on the team with 15 special teams tackles. He was a vital cog in a kickoff coverage unit that led the NFL in opponents return average (17.5-yard avg.). Late in the year he became a key contributor on defense when he replaced Al Singleton in the starting lineup at strongside linebacker and recorded 26 tackles in the final three games of the season. Shanle tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles while helping limit Chad Morton to a 6.0 average on three punt returns on eight punts at Washington (9/27). He helped limit the N.Y. Giants (10/10) to two punt returns for a 2.0-yard average with a special teams tackle. At Green Bay (10/24), he led the team with two special teams tackles. Against Detroit (10/31), he recorded one special teams tackle as Eddie Drummond, the NFL's third ranked kickoff returner entering the game at 29.0 yards-per-return, was limited to a 16.8-yard average on five kickoffs. He recorded two special teams tackles at Baltimore (11/21) as the Ravens were limited to a 14.0-yard average on kickoff returns. He saw his first real playing time at strongside linebacker at Seattle (12/6) but did not record a tackle. The following week against New Orleans (12/12), he saw considerable action at strongside linebacker for Singleton (lower abdominal strain) and recorded three tackles and a tackle for a loss at the goal line. He also had a big play on special teams when he tackled Fred McAfee on a fake punt attempt, giving Dallas the ball at the Saints 38-yard line. Two plays later, the Cowboys scored a touchdown to go up 10-0. He made his first NFL start in place of Singleton (abdominal injury) at strongside linebacker at Philadelphia (12/19) and tied for the team lead with eight tackles. He helped keep Donovan McNabb in check most of the day as the NFL's third ranked passer (107.2 rating) entering the day, was limited to a 62.0 rating with two interceptions. Against Washington (12/26) in his second NFL start, Shanle recorded a career-high 14 tackles.


2003: A seventh round draft choice of the Rams, Shanle finished fifth in preseason action with 14 tackles. He made his NFL debut in the Rams season opener at the N.Y. Giants (9/7) and saw mostly special teams action in six games for St. Louis, posting four special teams stops. He missed four games from late September through October while serving a four-game league suspension. He was waived by the Rams on Dec. 9 and claimed by Dallas Dec. 10. He was inactive for the Cowboys final three games and the wild card playoff game.

COLLEGE: Shanle earned Big 12 honorable mention selection as a senior after collecting 71 tackles, six pressures, five tackles for losses, two sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble. As a junior in 2001, he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors after finishing fifth on the Cornhuskers with 56 stops, eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage, eight passes defensed, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Shanle started nine-of-11 games as a sophomore, finishing fifth on the team with 55 tackles, four stops for losses, four pressures, two passes defensed, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble. As a redshirt freshman, he saw action in every game, primarily as the up-front blocker on the Husker punt return team.

PERSONAL: Shanle was a key factor in St. Edward, Neb., High School's turnaround from a 3-6 record in his freshman season to 10-1, 9-1 and 10-1 records his final three prep seasons. A standout running back and defensive back who played eight-man football, Shanle earned all-state honors and was named the player of the year by Huskerland Prep Report. He also earned multiple letters in track and basketball and served as a class officer his senior year. Shanle - a two-year member of Nebraska's Unity Council - graduated in December, 2002 with a degree in family and consumer science. Shanle participated in the team's annual support of The Salvation Army Angel program that provides Christmas gifts to area children in need. Shanle, and wife, Erin, have a son, Jagger (11/11/04).


www.dallascowboys.com



8)

2006 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 62 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Possesses good top-end speed and shows adequate range. Uses hands to protect body, can get through traffic quickly and makes plays in pursuit. Breaks down in space, wraps upon contact and is a reliable open field tackler. Plays with a non-stop motor and can cover kicks. However, Shanle is far more effective filling against the run than he is dropping into coverage and he doesn't have much upside. Lacks ideal lateral mobility, doesn't explode out of cuts and lacks the man-to-man cover skills to match up with most backs as well as tight ends. Lacks ideal bulk, offensive linemen will have some success engulfing him at the point of attack and is vulnerable to wearing down when teams consistently run at him.

I'm willing to bet that this guy won't be our only acquisition at LB.

Any takers?

Now why would the Cowpokes dump this guy if he was a proven performer? Somthing's fragrant in the air...

Excuse me, xan...I didn't think anyone heard me slip that out....*sprays air freshener*

He is a solid starter, but they upgraded. They have a rookie first round pick at one linebacker spot, and Ellis has performed well since moving to linebacker as well.

According to ESPN, we gave up a 4th for this guy. Ugh.

Seems like you can't get enough quality subs at the LB spot, especially since the Pokes had (like everyone) serious injury problems in the last two years. This guy was, by all accounts, a stud. So I repeat, why dump an experienced, all around quality LB for a conditional draft choice? Are the 'boys that confident in their depth that they can afford to lose a guy like this? Is there an implication there that the writeup from above is "fluff marketing?"

# The Cowboys traded linebacker Scott Shanle to the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed late-round draft choice, likely a seventh.

I dunno. Guess we'll find out soon enough.


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm

Did they really give up a 4th rounder for this guy?!!!!!!!
WHY?!!!!!!! I hope this is some wrong information.

Are you telling me that we couldn't get anything for Dwight Smith, and this guy is worth a 4?

$%*#*@!


:bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

We now have two ex Cowboy LBs: Fujita and Shanle - both decent players with experience who aren't good enough to start for Parcells. But given the dire situation facing the Saints their addition represents a big upgrade. Two ex Cowboy coaches have concluded that Cowboy backups are better than our "starters". I predict both will be starters Week 1. Keep 'em coming!

We'll be playing in Dallas week 14, so we'll see how much of a mark we really are by then...

It's OK. Didn't we have an extra 4th round pick anyway from the Michael Bennett trade? So, we essentially got a starting linebacker for a back-up running back. Anyone willing to make that trade?

^Exactly. Just think of it like the three-way trade from yesterday, with the only difference being that this trade didn't happen all at the same time.

Never heard of him but hey... we need all the help we can get. Hopefully this guy will be able to contribute. Only weird thing about it is if you offered a 4th rounder for this guy, why not just do a 3rd rounder for Edwards? Oh well.

^Because one of them is in his mid-20s, and the other one is 33.

When I heard this I was like yeah!!! Then I saw a 4th rounder, it kinda took away my happiness until I really realized this was an upgrade...He played middle, stron side, and the wheel...He adds depth to all postions and ST's, so good bye to Gleason...

We could've given up a 5th, though...I would've went for Ayodele for a 4th, c'mon he may have been a starter but geesh. He'll start here no doubt, he can play, I think they'll release Foreman instead of Fincher as well...You guys may be like Fincher didn't even get any stats vs Dallas nor Tenn. He actually has a totaal of 5 tackles and a few good pressures...He's been getting the most pressure on a QB, other than Smith and Nink, and Foreman should've had way more tackles than 6 or 7, he misses alot of them

Come to think of it, they probably acquired this guy because of his run stuffing ability. If he makes the run defense better, then the safeties can sit deeper in coverage and prevent big plays in the passing game. You know, cover for the cornerback's lazy a$$.

I thought about that after I posted wheelman and it makes sense... but the impact Edwards could have made compared to this guy probably would have been greater. Edwards probably still has about 2 or 3 more years in him. I'll stay optimistic for now on this guy but I see more of a special teams contributor out of him.

Anyone know how many more years this guy has left on his contract?

So we traded Michael Bennet, a 1st round draft pick, top 3 running back (2002) and a prized offseason acquisition for a 4th rounder, eating his signing bonus, then took that 4th rounder and traded it for a backup LB, a former 7th round draft choice who's starts came through injuries to the two players above him on the depth chart.

And we had the opportunity to trade for several quality 1st string LBs earlier. Is it my imagination, or are we still in reverse?

Just because Bennett was a top three running back four years ago, that doesn't mean you were going to get much for him in 2006. As much as I liked signing him, it was a gamble. The man has serious injury problems, and the team was hoping that he would stay healthy.

Thank YOU xan.

While I have since shied away from the idea of trading for Edwards, there has to be someone of more value we could've gotten for the no. 4 pick.

I'm sure Payton is familiar with this guy and that's why we made the trade, but COME ON!!!

I love how you people are simply passing him off as a scrub, only because you don't know who he is.

I'm not pleased. We just gave up a 4th round pick for a backup LB. Sweet. I mean I know that Payton has been big on getting guys from Dallas to follow him here, but this is kinda ridiculous. I saw the article this morning when it broke and it was an undisclosed draft pick at the time, so I figured it would be a 7th or 6th at worst. But no, we give up a 4th round pick for a veteran who nobody's ever heard of. I live in Dallas and I can only vaguely remember ever hearing his name. Well I'm glad we got some serious help for the LB corps. Sweet. Why didn't we try to pool some picks together and actually make an effort at a guy who actually has some talent/real starting experience. Ugh is right whodi

Haha, is that a joke? Maybe he's a scrub because he's been in the league for years and has only started a handful of games. And usually people know players when that player is good, that's how it works. Good players get recognition, bad players don't. Maybe that has something to do with it....

Name all four starting linebackers for the San Diego Chargers. And no Internet, just off the top of your head.

Agreed Deuce.

Like Wheelman said, you dont know who he is...Hes a great player though, the 3rd best on the team right now under Polley and Fujita...Just b/c you dont hear of him doesnt mean he isnt good, just like Will Smith for us, I know alot of people who didnt know who he is but Will is still awesome

This guy has talent all aroung, only weakness being his pass reading ability...He can blow a guys head off on ST's and he can play all LB positions...He started those games, b/c he earned them, not b/c of injuries Before that he started at the wheel, but Dat went down so they put him at middle, he can play and that it, I know we'd all rather have Edwards but this is still an upgrade and by far our starting LB

Hey, I'm not saying this guy's bad, I'm saying that there's been and continues to be more value in the LB market that a 4th round pick or a 4th and a WR we don't need could get. Trading out of value is where we've been hurt in the past and continue to get smoked.

Agreed. I thought we'd be better getting Dallas' Ayodele for a 4th

But with this younger guy, its still an upgrade all around

I sent an email to Les East of the Reporters Roundtable inquiring about the Shanle deal. This was his reply.

"JD:

You're not crazy. It's hard to imagine that a No. 4 was the market value. You have to hope that having been around him previously, Payton and Gibbs know something no one else does, but he still shouldn't have cost that much.

Thanks for the info.

Les"

Ayodele was one of Dallas big off-season acquisitions. What the hell makes you people think they would trade him?

For a pick that was that high at 4th, and besides thay are loaded at LB

I don't care how good he might be......he damn sure wasn't worth a 4th!!! Man.....we keep ending up on the sh** end of the stick in every trade.

I'm tellin ya

I can name 3 Chargers starting LBs off the top of my head wheelman... Merriman, Foley, and Edwards. I don't know who the 4th is though. So what was the point of that?

I'm not passing this guy off as a scrub... but like others have said, a backup LB for our 4th. Come on now.

Seriously. A 4th for a back-up prob gonna be cut guy? Where do I sign up? :roll: