NFL CAREER – Entering his third season with the Saints, in 2007 Simoneau was again a solid performer for New Orleans, starting all 16 games for the first time since 2003 and posting 97 tackles – the second-highest total of his career. He was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia near the end of the 2006 preseason and has since been a mainstay at middle linebacker, playing in every contests with 30 starts and notching 170 stops, three sacks and an interception. Simoneau – who ranked second on the team in tackles last year – has also been a standout special teams performer throughout his career, which includes stints with the Eagles (2003-05) and Atlanta (2000-02). Re-signed by the Saints prior to the start of free agency, Simoneau was initially a third-round pick by the Falcons, where he started nine of 45 games.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Re-signed by Saints to a three-year contract, 2/29/08; Acquired in trade with the Philadelphia Eagles with an undisclosed draft pick for WR Donté Stallworth, 8/29/06; Signed a five-year contract with Philadelphia Eagles, 3/4/03; Traded to Philadelphia by the Atlanta Falcons for sixth-round pick in 2003 and fourth-round pick in 2004, 3/4/03; Signed a four-year contract with Atlanta, 5/17/00; Selected by Atlanta in third round (67th overall) of 2000 NFL Draft.

HONORS – 2003: NFC Defensive Player of the Month (October).

2007 – Ranked second on the team with 97 tackles (63 solo) and had two sacks and a pass defense…Season tackle total the second-highest of his career to 2003, also the only other year he started all 16 games…Started every contest at MLB, and posted six games with eight or more stops, including two games with 10…Went over 500 career tackles vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 2 – in the game had nine stops (eight solo). 2006 – Quickly became a starter after being acquired in a trade on the eve of the regular season, opening 14 of 16 games and both playoff contests at MLB... Had 73 tackles (39 solo), a sack, an INT and a pass defense. Ranked fourth on team…Did not start at Carolina, Oct. 1 and at Dallas, Dec. 10 when Saints opened in nickel defense…Had five or more tackles in eight contests…Posted a season-high eight stops (six solo) at Carolina, Oct. 1…Appeared in 100th NFL game at Pittsburgh, Nov. 12 and had three tackles…Notched five tackles and an interception vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 19…Recorded five stops and a sack vs. San Francisco, Dec. 3…In NFC Championship at Chicago, 1/21/07, posted eight tackles (five solo). 2005 – Ranked second on Eagles with 22 special teams tackles…Replaced injured K David Akers vs. Oakland, Sept. 26 and kicked a PAT, the first defensive player in NFL to kick a PAT since Oilers LB Ted Thom-pson kicked four at NYJ, 11/23/80…Played in 16 games and had 35 tackles (23 solo). 2004 – Played 14 games, with 13 starts and had 60 tackles (36 solo), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Opened seven of first eight contests at MLB before moving to weakside. 2003 – Led Eagles with a career-high 149 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles…Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month after 45 tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in October…Posted a career-best 13 tackles vs. San Francisco, Dec. 21…Had 12 stops, a sack and a forced fumble at NY Giants, Oct. 19…Recorded first career solo sack vs. Washington, Oct. 6. 2002 – Appeared in 15 games for Falcons …Blocked a punt in NFC Wild Card Playoff at Green Bay (1/4/03), recovered by a teammate for a TD…Forced a fumble and recovered it for a TD at Pitts-burgh, Nov. 10…Had 16 tackles (11 solo). 2001 – Started five of 16 games and had 49 stops (35 solo) and added 13 special teams stops. 2000 – Opened four of 14 contests, recording 46 tackles (36 solo) and a half-sack.

COLLEGE – Only the second player in Kansas State history to serve as team captain three seasons…Ranked third on Wildcats’ all-time list upon departure with 48 tackles for a loss and 400 total tackles…Two-time All-America and three-time All-Big 12 pick…As a senior was a finalist for the Butkus Award with 91 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two INTs...First-team freshman All-America selection by The Sporting News and named Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.

PERSONAL – Was a USA Today honorable mention All-America at Smith Center (Kan.) HS as a running back and linebacker…Also lettered in track, baseball, and basketball. As a senior was the state shot put champ and was the runner-up in the 100 meter sprint…Brother, Jeff, was a starting nose tackle at Kansas State after beginning career as a fullback at Arizona State…Majored in social science…Full name: Mark Lee Simoneau…Born in Phillipsburg, Kan.