NFL CAREER – Since signing with the Saints as an unrestricted free agent in 2004, Young has proven to be a sturdy part of the defensive line while starting 55 of the 56 games he has appeared in. Known for his consistency and work ethic, Young has recorded 250 tackles since arriving in New Orleans, along with 11 sacks, a pair of fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He is coming of a 2007 season that was the first of his career marred by injuries, as he battled through midseason knee surgery before being placed on injured reserve late in the year with pneumonia. Previously, each year with the Saints he had ranked among the top tacklers on the club’s defensive front. In 2006, he had 5.5 sacks, his highest total since 2001, and he has eight fumble recoveries in his career. Young, who played for the St. Louis Rams from 2000-2003, was re-signed to a three-year contract in the offseason prior to the opening of the free agency period.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Re-signed by Saints to three-year contract, 2/29/08; Signed by Saints to a four-year contract (UFA), 3/8/04; Placed on Injured Reserve, 12/18/07; Re-signed by St. Louis Rams to a one-year contract (RFA), 4/25/03; Signed by St. Louis to three-year contract, 7/7/00; Selected by the St. Louis in fifth round (139th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.

2007 – Played in nine games with eight starts, spending four games on the inactive list with a knee injury and one with pneumonia before being placed on injured reserve, Dec. 18…Came back from offseason foot fracture – suffered while preparing for training camp – to be ready for regular season, but served in reserve role in opener at Indianapolis, Sept. 6, the first game since joining the Saints that he did not start…Notched a sack in three-straight games (at Seattle, Oct. 14, vs. Atlanta, Oct. 21 and at San Francisco, Oct. 28) for the first time in his career – and was the first Saints’ player to achieve the feat since Will Smith in 2006…Inactive for the next four games with a knee injury…Started two games before contracting pneumonia and being placed on IR for the first time in his career…Ended season with 19 tackles (14 solo), three sacks and a forced fumble. 2006 – Opened all 16 games at defensive tackle, notching 57 stops (30 solo), 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery…Sack total was second-best of his career, ranked third on the team and highest since 2001…Tackle total ranked eighth on club charts, and second among defensive linemen…Also started both postseason contests and had eight tackles in NFC Championship at Chicago…At Cleveland, Sept. 10, had five tackles (three solo), a career-high 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery…Notched a sack and four solo stops vs. Atlanta, Sept. 25…At Tampa Bay, Nov. 5, recorded four tackles and a sack…Deflected a pass and posted three solo tackles at Pittsburgh, Nov. 12, the 100th NFL game of his career and 40th in New Orleans. 2005 – Started all 16 games at defensive tackle, the first time he posted 16 starts since 2001…Finished first among defensive linemen with 88 tackles (41 solo)…Tackle total was the second highest of his career (102, 2003)…Had a season-high 12 tackles (five solo) vs. Miami, Oct. 30, and equaled that total vs. Carolina, Dec. 18. 2004 – Started 15 games he was active for, inactive with hip injury vs. San Francisco, Sept. 19, that he suffered in opener…Finished second among defensive linemen and fourth on the defense overall with 86 tackles (50 solo). Also had 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery…Posted a season-high nine tackles (six solo) at Dallas, Dec. 12. 2003 – Started 12 of 16 games and credited with 102 tackles (34 solo), a pair of sacks and deflected four passes…Tied a St. Louis record with five fumble recoveries…Posted 11 stops, a half-sack, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries vs. Baltimore, Nov. 9. Three fumble recoveries tied NFL single-game record, shared by many…Notched a career-high 16 stops (seven solo), and a half-sack at Chicago, Nov. 16. 2002 – Played in 16 games with three starts…Recorded 65 tackles (31 solo), two sacks, two deflected passes and a fumble recovery…Started at LDE at Denver, Sept. 8, and collected season-high eight tackles (three solo). 2001 – Started 16 games and all three postseason contests…Had 78 tackles (42 solo) with 6.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble…Made 16 tackles in postseason and a fumble recovery…Notched first NFL start and had seven tackles, at Philadelphia, Sept. 9…Had first career interception with a 25-yard return vs. Tampa Bay Nov. 26…Recorded seven tackles (three solo) with a pass defense in Super Bowl XXXVI vs. New England, 2/3/02. 2000 – Played in 12 games and recorded eight tackles (five solo) and five special teams stops.

COLLEGE – All-America third-team, All-Western Athletic Conference first-team selection and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Texas-El Paso…Played defensive end final season, and had 121 tackles and eight sacks…All-WAC selection as junior with 104 tackles and 3.5 sacks…As sophomore was All-WAC second-team with 76 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles…Redshirted between freshman and sophomore seasons…Graduated with degree in criminal justice.

PERSONAL – Lettered in football and track at Andress (El Paso, Texas) HS…A regular presence at community events covering a wide range of causes, including working with child cancer patients…Married (Noelle)…Young’s wife sang the National Anthem prior to Carolina contest in Baton Rouge in 2005…Full name: James Brian Young...Born July 8, 1977 in Lawton, Okla.