The New Orleans Saints have signed linebacker James Laurinaitis reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. Terms of the deal have not been announced.
I'm told LB James Laurinaitis has agreed to terms with the #Saints.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 17, 2016
Laurinaitis confirmed the deal on Twitter.
⚜ WHO DAT!!! ⚜ I'm honored and excited to be joining the Saints Organization!!
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) March 17, 2016
Laurinaitis was cut by the St. Louis Rams earlier this offseason, after playing seven seasons for the organization. While the 29-year-old continued to be a durable and consistent performer for the club, achieving his seventh straight 100 hit season, his numbers fell off last year as he only reached 61 total tackles, a career low.
The Saints, who went 7-9 in 2015, had a brutal defense in 2015 and are likely hoping Laurinaitis can bring a steady veteran presence. The club allowed 6620 total yards, second-worst in the league which included the 129.8 rushing yards against per game, which also was second-worst.
New Orleans isn’t the destination you’d expect Laurinaitis to land, especially after he told ESPN’s Nick Wagoner after being cut he’d likely signed with a title contender in an attempt to chase a ring.
“I’m going to look at what the interest is and let my agent go and talk to teams and see kind of who is out there. I obviously want to have a chance to get in the tournament and a chance to get the trophy. It will be fun to kind of have this process play out for the first time for me.”
Laurinaitis dad, former WWE wrestler Road Warrior Animal, wrote on his Twitter his son visited with the Patriots, Giants, Redskins and 49ers among others before signing.
#Atlanta, Ne Orleans, Chicago, Washington, New England, San Fran, NY Giants #visits #LEADER #Proud pic.twitter.com/sbqsn2fImw
— RoadWarriorAnimal (@RWAnimal) March 12, 2016
The Saints have focused on improving their defense also adding former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Nate Stupar today on a three-year contract. The Saints now have eight linebackers signed for next season, including 2015 first round pick Stephone Anthony. Laurinaitis may not be the player he was a few years ago, but he instantly improves the Saints poor defense.
[Nola.com]
