New Orleans Saints Troy Evans prepared to start Sunday
 

New Orleans Saints Troy Evans prepared to start Sunday
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

In his eight-year career as a special teams standout, New Orleans Saints linebacker Troy Evans has yet to start on defense. But he could get that call Sunday at Miami if starter Scott Fujita, who has a strained calf, is unable to play.Fujita missed practice all week and is listed as questionable. Both Evans and second-year pro Jo-Lonn Dunbar are possible replacements, but Evans filled in admirably last week against the Giants after Fujita went down.
"When you're a backup in this league, you've always got to just be ready, whenever anyone needs you at any position, " said Evans, 31, who was voted by teammates as the Saints' special teams captain for the second consecutive season.
Evans (6 feet 3, 238 pounds) said he has never let himself "settle" for a backup role, but he said it does take a certain mentality to be a special teams specialist.
"I think if you ever strive to not be a starter, you'd be dead in this league, " Evans said. "So it's not really that mind-set. It's more of a mind-set that on every team, every player has got to know your role. And obviously my role on this team and teams before has been a lot of special teams and always just being ready.
"I would say (special teams) is definitely an attitude. It's running fast and hard collisions, so if you're not in that mindset, then chances are you're not going to excel."