Saints Will See Some Familiar Faces In 2015 Opponents

LB Victor Butler and LB Jonathan Casillas (New York Giants)

Jun 10, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Victor Butler (90) during minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Butler was a former 2009 fourth round pick of the Dallas Cowboys and excelled as a pass rusher under current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan when Ryan was with the Cowboys in the same role.

It made sense that when Ryan was hired by New Orleans and the team needed a pass rushing outside linebacker, that the two would reunite in 2013.

Fans were giddy at the thought of Butler helping implement the new 3-4 defensive scheme that Ryan was known for and pump new life into what was the NFL’s worst defense in history.

But Butler never would get the chance after tearing his ACL during training camp that year and was placed on injured reserve.

After not even registering a tackle during the preseason of 2014, the Saints released Butler with little to show for the hype of his reunion with Ryan.

Between September and November of that year, he would spend time with the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, with his only stats being two combined tackles.

Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Casillas was another linebacker that the Saints had faith and aspirations for but injuries kept him from reaching them after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

He was mainly on special teams and a role player until 2010 when he was expected to play a bigger role in the defense before suffering an injury that put him on injured reserve.

But he would bounce back in 2011 with 43 combined tackles and three sacks, and it appeared that he had finally began to come into his own.

But another lackluster season followed and Casillas signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.

After landing on injured reserve later that year he would re-sign with the Bucs the following season only to be traded to the New England Patriots.

It was a good deal for Casillas who ended up with his second Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX a little over three months later.

The Giants must think highly of Casillas considering since they signed him to a 3-yr, $8 million dollar contract during the offseason of this year.

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