Dhani Jones signs one year deal with Saints
 

Just heard it from Dhani Jones' mouth on NFL Total Access where he was co hosting. 1 year deal. Didn't get the numbers.
I think this is a great signing by the way. Our defense is going to be really good this year. Top ten I think. Put that together with our number 1 offense and it's Superbowl time.

nice deal. WLB back up was needed. Now we can wear dickie-bowes in the stands and not feel like a geek

Class act and I think he'll make a great 2nd at WLB. Might not even be second for long, will certainly motivate Shanle.

Check This Out!!!
 

If this is true thats a very good addition to the defense. I'm on record saying our "D" will step up and make life hell for opposing offensive teams this season. They will be the difference makers to compliment the firepower on offense.

anyone able to provide the stats for his career, im too lazy to look it up!

I can't find anything on his signing? I hope it's true.

I think it's true. You can always use more solid linebackers. Although I do hope to see more depth at middle linebacker. Have you heard any good news about our rookie Marvin Mitchell?

Here's a link from ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...e=NFLHeadlines

I heard Mitchell was doing pretty good actually, but Jones will provide depth and competition if nothing else. We all know Payton's love of (not to mention ability to get the best out of) guys from the NFC East.

I really like this signing he will hopefully light a fire under Shanle and make him step his game up....

So he hasn't signed, he intends to sign.

Oh he's already absorbed. It's too late.

watching him now on nfl network
 

he's been on for bit. very interesting guy. my mom thought he looked like he could be a model. anyway, off his own website, interesting read on there about him even though some of the info is a bit dated. Id like to think this guy can and will do wonders for the artistic/social side of New Orleans life, work with kids, and social causes. could be be for the defense what Brees is for the offense? a guy who you can really feel proud of even if his stats aren't booming? If he does light it on D, the maybe another NFL "man of the year candidate"? (given for off field, not so much as on field stuff in case anyone forgot). to sum it up, I'm impressed to say the least.
http://www.dhani55.com/about.asp

Forgive my superficiality but isn't this the guy that plays the air guitar when he does something well? That screams of geek.
That said, when he's on the field for the Saints I hope to see him playing that fake stringed instrument any time he's on the field.

Player News

The Eagles cut seven-year veteran Dhani Jones, thinning a linebacking corps made crowded by offseason additions. Jones, 29, was largely a disappointment after he joined the Eagles as a free agent in 2005 following four seasons with the New York Giants. He struggled with the Eagles after being moved to the strong side from his natural weakside position. He became expendable after the selection of Nebraska's Stewart Bradley in the third round of this year's draft. Bradley and Chris Gocong, a third-round pick last year, are expected to compete for Jones' position on the strong side. The Eagles acquired weakside linebacker Takeo Spikes in a trade with Buffalo last month.


"In six (6) years in the league (I'm counting 6yrs because he didn't play at all in 2000, so the stats are from 2001-06), Jones played or started in 95 of 96 games, accumulated 446 tackles; 4 sacks; 4 ints for 15 yrds; 22 pass def; 1 ff; and 4 fr. Jones meager numbers might be associated with him playing out of position at SLB, maybe he'll play better at his more natural position at WLB. But don't expect him to push for Shanle's job, he's strictly a valuable veteran backup. Shanle proved his first year with the team that he is the starter, but with the addition of Jones(If and when he signs) and the signing of Brian Simmons, our linebacker corps is a hell of a lot stronger this year. With projected starters Shanle; Simmons; and Fujita; he definitely strengthens the backup position."

Linebackers on the Saints Roster:

50 Mitchell, Marvin LB 6-3 249 22 R Tennessee
59 Koehl, Wade LB 6-2 230 22 R Houston
56 Fincher, Alfred LB 6-1 238 23 3 Connecticut
55 Fujita, Scott LB 6-5 250 28 6 California
54 Evans, Troy LB 6-3 238 29 6 Cincinnati
57 Faulk, Trev LB 6-3 254 25 3 Louisiana State
51 Simmons, Brian LB 6-3 240 32 10 North Carolina
58 Shanle, Scott LB 6-2 245 27 5 Nebraska
53 Simoneau, Mark LB 6-0 245 30 8 Kansas State
46 Sims, Desmond LB 6-3 230 24 R Arkansas
** Jones, Dhani LB 6-1 240 29 8 Michigan(That's if he signs)

The outside LB isn't a lock to make the team!
 

Saints signed LB Dhani Jones to a one-year contract.

Jones was in the NFL Network studio to announce the signing himself on Thursday. Cut by the Eagles in late April, Jones didn't get much action on the free agent market. The outside linebacker isn't a lock to make the team.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx

According to the TP, Jones is going to back up Fujita on the stong side.

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...690.xml&coll=1

Great guy to have on our depth chart. He has tons of starting experience and should one of our starters go down, he should be able to step in without us missing a beat. I remember a special they did on him a long time ago on ESPN... he fits this city perfectly. He's a musician, artsy, and not an outspoken guy.

Good Move
 

March 2006 Arrest
 

Did anyone read about his arrest in Miami last year? I thought I was going to see assault, drug possession, or some kind of sexual offense like so many players as of late. But he just refused to stop dancing outside a nite club after an officer instructed him to do so. Sounds like my kind of guy. Think of all the Penalty yards we can get hit with for Unsportsman-like conduct when he decides to dance after a great play. Classic!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhani_Jones

We're probably going to be above average defensively but to pick the Saints over the Ravens for fantasy?! Let me play in your league! =]

Welcome to the site.

I think he starts game 1.

so who would you replace? shanle?

He is not going to start. The linebackers should be: Simmons at MLB, Fujita at SLB, and Shanle at WLB. That should be the lineup. But I guess I could see him in there instead of Shanle.

Saw him on the NFLN and was pleased with the way he carried himself. Has very good character, and love the bow tie. I for one am happy he is apart of the team. I see him replacing Shanle. Sean will put him where he needs to be; either on the field or on the sideline.

In Sean We Trust!

Yep, I think he starts over Shanle. I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch, so I'm not going to offer up a ton of data to corroborate my claim, but Shanle in the three seasons he has seen much PT has put up about 3.36 tackles per game (158/47). Compare that to Jones' 4.36 (415/96). Aside from that, their Ints and Sacks are pedestrian at best.

I just think DHani has a higher ceiling than Scott and that his already-established rapport with and respect for Coach is going to help him realize his potential.

It's not a knock on Shanle, he does a great job, but I'm not sure he has starter talent.

Seeing how Shanle is two years younger and entering his prime, I'd have to disagree with you there. Shanle has more potential of the two. We know what Jones is capable of because what he's shown in the past. This was Shanle's first year as a full time starter and he was very solid. Shanle's only going to get better. Even while being in the Eagles' and Giants' attacking defense, Jones has never amassed more than 3 sacks. I love the fact we signed Dhani, but he is not going to supplant Shanle whom we just signed to an extension as the starter. Dhani will be good insurance if someone were to go down... and a good rotational guy when Fuji or Shanle needs some rest.

I was happy when I heard this, it adds depth to the team.

Agree 100% on your Shanle take. But I'm not so sure Dhani even makes this team. We have Simoneau, who can back up all 3 spots, and Fincher, and Faulk, and Evans, and Mitchell and a couple other prospects.

I think one of tyhe youngsters will step up in TC and take that 5th/6th/7th LB spot from Dhani.

Remember, if Dhani is a last cut, he'll most likely be available as a street free agent all year similar to the Bellamy situation a year ago. There was virtually no action on this guy 1 month away from TC's.

I think he's simply insurance in case one or two of the youngsters disappoint in camp, or we suffer an injury to the top 4. His special teams play may be the only reason he makes this squad, because all I've heard from Eagles' fans is good riddance.

AbqSaintsfan welcome aboard.

'bout time - it's official on neworleanssaints.com

While I agree that he probably isn't going to start, take a look at those names that you said would take a roster spot from Dhani Jones. Alfred Fincher? Haha this guy will never see the field, he's terrible. Special teams player at very best. Is that Trev Faulk? Scrub. Won't play. Marvin Mitchell? Can't really say about this guy, but I remember being pretty upset about the pick because I didn't think he'd even make the roster. So while Dhani Jones might not start, he is a proven commodity in the NFL, a guy who can come in and be a decent starter which is ten times better than anything Faulk or Fincher can give you.

This signing is strictly for depth. Shanle and Fujita are locks to start at OLB. Simmons and Simeneau will battle it out in the middle with the loser being the primary backup at all 3 positions. Evans probably makes the team because he is a very good special teamer. I think Jones will stick, but it will in no way be as competition to the starters.

And I doubt Dhani is the last LB we sign before the season starts too.