games and the playoffs. In 2004, he ranked fourth on the Cowboys roster with 15 special teams tackles. He became the starter at strongside linebacker in the team's new 3–4 defense for the final three games, in place of an injured Al Singleton, registering 26 tackles which led the team over that span. In 2005, he served as the Cowboys' nickel middle linebacker. After injuries forced Dat Nguyen into retirement, Shanle moved into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker. He battled injury setbacks (ankle) in the season's final games, tying for seventh on the team with 50 tackles and tied for eleventh with 8 special teams tackles. On April 28, 2006, he was re-signed to a one-year contract. On August 23, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a seventh round pick (#237-Alan Ball). New Orleans Saints In 2006, he was acquired to improve the linebacker corps, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton, who was the offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. He became a starter at weakside linebacker, leading the team with 77 solo tackles, he was second with 117 total tackles, while registering four sacks, a forced fumble and one pass defensed and helped lead the Saints to the NFC Championship Game vs Chicago. On February 9, 2007, he signed a four-year extension contract. He started 14 games, recording 96 tackles (56 solo), a pass defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one tackle for a loss. In 2008, he was named the Saints Defensive MVP, after finishing with 145 tackles, 79 solo tackles (second on the team), 8 passes defensed, 2 sacks and one forced fumble. In 2009, he was a starting weakside linebacker on the Saints' Super Bowl championship team. He started 14 games, missing the last two regular season contests with a concussion. He recorded 106 tackles (74 solo), 2 interceptions, 4 pass defensed and 2 fumble recoveries. He was the team's leading tackler during their playoff run that included wins over opposing quarterbacks Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV. In 2010, he started 14 games at weakside linebacker, missing contests with a hamstring injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. He posted 98 tackles (46 solo), 3 passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one special teams tackle. On July 29, 2011, he signed a two-year contract with the Saints after