PFF: NFC South Training Camp Battles
 

"New Orleans Saints

Position: Outside Linebacker

The Players: Scott Shanle and Chris Chamberlain

The Battle: It’s fair to say that Gregg Williams’ defensive schemes have never really helped out his linebackers. In addition to whatever bounty-related mess he has got them into, his hyper-aggressive calls always led to linebackers being asked to do things they never had a prayer of successfully achieving. That being said, I’m not sure Scott Shanle would have come out of the past few seasons in any scheme looking good. His -14.0 grade from 2011 represented the fourth consecutive time he scored in negative double-digits for the season. Furthermore, he managed just a single sack and eight pressures despite being sent on the blitz a massive 198 times by Williams last year.

The Saints went on a major linebacker shopping spree this offseason, bringing in three of them during free agency. Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne figure to slot straight in as starters, but the third, Chris Chamberlain has a battle on his hands to topple Shanle from his spot on the depth chart. In truth, Chamberlain looks made for the two-down role in that defense. He scored well (+4.7) last season against the run, but struggled in coverage the 34 times he was targetted. Lofton and Hawthorne are both capable of playing on all three downs, so Chamberlain would be a logical upgrade against the run who would be pulled from the field when the Saints go to nickel packages.

The Verdict: For some reason the Saints don’t seem to be willing or able to sit Shanle down. Maybe he’s a great team guy, and a fantastic presence in practice and meeting rooms, but he just doesn’t play well enough to keep his job. Chamberlain earned a spot with his play last season and if this comes down to merit on the field and nothing else, the job should be his to lose."

Training Camp Battles: NFC South | ProFootballFocus.com

Go Chamberlain..
Chamberlain, as mentioned above, should get the start and I would love to see Casillas play his pass rushing roll in the given situations.

If Shanle does get the start so be it. However, it wont be due to his play on the field. Regardless of his ineffectiveness the Saints D should be much improved this year.

He has been below average since day 1. I think he overachieved a bit in the beginning. I seriously believe the only reason he has started these last few years is because he is giving (special treats) for playing time. :wink:

Atlantas secondary is starting to look scary. As much as I hate to admit it they seemed to have improved a great deal on paper over the offseason. They always play us tough, and with their beefed up secondary paired with a new D cord we have no film on they could give us fits.

Shanle is to Vitt what Brooks was to Haslett.

Shanle will probably play on running downs.......if he even makes the roster.

Agreed ATLs secondary looks to be much improved, and they were never that bad to begin with thankfully we have Drew :) . I will predict ATL to be weak against the run this year.

Scott Shanle being interviewed
Do you laugh at the talk where people doubt you year after year?

"Yes, it's nothing new to me. I don't think too much of it. As long as I continue to produce with Mickey (Loomis) and Sean (Payton) and Coach (Joe) Vitt, I've obviously done something right and they've kept me around here. I think it goes back to being versatile and being able to play a lot of positions, the trust factor. I think when you've played a lot of football for people and they've seen you play, play in big games for a number of years, there's just a trust factor when it comes to Sunday and being calm."

Saints Training Camp 2012: In Their Own Words - Canal Street Chronicles

This made me laugh and wonder 'what the hell' at the same time. Someone loves this guy and I don't get it. What does he do well?


Edit: Just saw this video of Vitt talking about Shanle. Don't really know what to say. Everything Vitt says I am going to think about its validity now. The only thing Scott does well is stay healthy. The scouting reports and statistics verify this over the last 4 years, not just some guy (me) watching the games.

http://videos.nola.com/times-picayun...rim_hea_5.html

This made me laugh and wonder 'what the hell' at the same time. Someone loves this guy and I don't get it. What does he do well?[/QUOTE]

I don't think I really want to know... just sayin'.

Shanle is a hard worker. Skillwise, tapped out and has been since the day he entered the NFL. Agree with CM, average at best. If someone doesn't beat him out this year that would be disheartening knowing that's the best we got. I do however like Shanle in a backup role. He'll give you all he's got, stays in his lane and is great mentor.

I agree with everything you have said. 06-09 Shanle wasn't half bad but now his knowledge of the game is far superior to his athletic ability. He has aged and I hope he gets into coaching in the future, but its time to move on in my opinion.