The New Orleans Saints re-signed linebacker Scott Shanle to a four-year contract on Friday.
Shanle, who tallied 117 tackles and four sacks last season, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on March 2.
"Making sure Scott returned to our team was one of our priorities entering the offseason," said executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis. "He was a major part of our improvement on defense last season and a player who is an integral part of the group we want to build around. This is a really positive way to get 2007 started."
Originally acquired in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in August, Shanle played in every contest and started 15 games. He led the Saints with 77 solo stops, and his 117 total tackles trailed only Scott Fujita.
Shanle's four sacks led the linebacker corps and ranked fourth on the team, and he added a forced fumble and deflected a pair of passes.
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