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In his 11th season, 33-year-old Danny Clark is past his prime, but he has been an unsung hero for the Saints' defense in his second stint with the team, we hear. With the regular season just a few days away, New Orleans was desperate for depth at outside linebacker and Clark, who had just been dumped by the Texans, was signed on Sept. 6.

After serving as a backup early on, the Saints inserted him into the starting lineup in Week Six with Scott Shanle sidelined by an injury. Shanle returned in Week Eight, but he shifted back to the weak side and Clark, who was a backup for New Orleans in 2006, has started the past six games, holding off his top challenger, Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

Clark doesn't play in the nickel package, but he has filled the void well in the base "D" and has been a sure tackler, making 27 of his 38 stops in the past six games.

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

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