Defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers signs with New Orleans Saints in a $4 million deal– NFL update
Former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle, Shaun Rodgers, has signed up with the New Orleans Saints for one year in $4 million deal, according to a source. He also met with the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs, and could have met with other teams,
but decided in the end that he wanted to go with the Saints.
There are reports that Rogers turned down an offer for $6 million from another team and decided to take $2 million less with the Saints. It could be that the Chiefs and Redskins both use a 3-4 defensive scheme whereas Rogers could feel more comfortable in
the Saints’ 4-3 scheme.
Greg Bensel, vice president of communications for the Saints, confirmed this on Twitter when he tweeted, “Saints agree to terms on a one year deal with DT Shaun Rogers.” The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts at the end of the 2009 season,
31-17. Bensel did not elaborate on the monetary details about the signing but a source said that Rogers will be paid approximately $4 million.
The 31-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler, is coming off the worst season in his 10 years in the National Footbal League (NFL). He had only 17 tackles and two sacks. Rodgers, also known as “Big Baby,” was drafted in the second round, 61st overall,
in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. In his rookie season, he had 81 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and four pass deflections. He started in all 16 games of the season.
In his second season, he had 58 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, five pass deflections and was selected into his first Pro Bowl. The next year was also a Pro Bowl year, in which Rogers had 39 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections
in 14 games. In 2006, Rogers violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy and was suspended for four games. He played in only six games and had 20 tackles and three sacks. In 2007, he had 39 tackles, seven sacks, one interception and three pass deflections. The
one interception that he had was returned 66 yards for a touchdown. Keep in mind that Rogers is six foot four and weighs 350 pounds.
He was then traded to the Browns, where he had to work with a different defensive scheme. He had 76 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four pass deflections in 16 games and made it to his third Pro Bowl, but as a reserve this time. He broke his leg in November of 2009
and was placed on injured reserve, finishing the season with only 36 tackles, two sacks and one pass deflection.
Rogers is the 11th player to be signed with the Saints on Tuesday, the others having had their contracts extended.
Tags: