Scott Fujita

Scott Fujita (OLB) # 55

New Orleans Saints 2006 - 2009

Height: 6-5

Weight: 250

Born: 4/28/1979, Ventura, CA

High School: Rio Mesa HS [Oxnard, CA]

College: California Bears

Drafted: 2002, 5th round, Kansas City Chiefs

Scott Fujita leaves New Orleans Saints for Cleveland Browns

Scott Fujita: "It was tough leaving, but really it wasn't a tough decision"

March 8, 2010 - Cleveland, Ohio - Scott Fujita, talking about his decision to sign with Cleveland Browns said, "It was tough leaving, but really it wasn't a tough decision. The Saints just didn't really put forth that much effort. From that standpoint it made the decision a little bit easier. The Saints, I think they certainly value what I brought to the table over the last four years. I think they valued my contributions, but in terms of their plans in moving forward, I completely respect their decision to want to get younger and try to build for the future." Fujita called the opportunity "bittersweet", as he has grown to love the City of New Orleans over the past 4 years.

The New Orleans Saints didn't even come close to matching his three year, $14 million offer from the Cleveland Browns. The Saints were never in that ballpark, according to people familiar with the situation. Linebacker Scott Fujita did what was best for his family and the New Orleans Saints did what was best for the team.

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton: "Scott Fujita will be missed here"

March 8, 2010 - New Orleans, Louisiana - New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said linebacker Scott Fujita's departure to the Cleveland Browns was strictly business and an offer too good to refuse by Fujita. Coach Sean Payton said, "In this profession, you know in the end it's an equation. What are you going to do with Jahri Evans and Darren Sharper and Scott Fujita and other players and all of that comes into play at this time of year. How are you going to allocate your dollars?" Coach Sean Payton said Fujita is one of his favorite players, "Scott was the first player I brought here, and he was with me in Dallas and we go back. We even have the same agent, there are all kinds of connections here. He'll be missed here, but I'm thrilled he has this opportunity in Cleveland."

Linebacker Scott Fujita signs three-year, $14 million deal with Cleveland

March 7, 2010 - Cleveland, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns have signed New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita to a three-year, $14 million contract, including various lucrative incentives. According to reliable sources, the contract could be worth $16 million, with $8 million guaranteed.

Entering his ninth season, Scott Fujita played the past four years in New Orleans, being the first unrestricted free agent the Saints acquired in 2006, when Saints returned back to New Orleans after relocating to San Antonio for a year due to Hurricane Katrina.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said, "Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense. He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them. He is a great leader and played a big part in the success that the Saints achieved last year."

The Cleveland Browns announced Sunday that they also signed San Francisco 49er offensive lineman Tony Pashos.

Heckert went on to say, "We are extremely happy that we were able to get Scott and Tony signed so quickly. They are two players we had targeted from the start of free agency. Both are smart, tough and physical, the type of players that the Browns are looking for."

Obviously, the New Orleans Saints were looking to upgrade the outside linebacker (OLB) or strong-side (know as SAM) linebacker position. The New Orleans Saints wouldn't budge on their assigned value to unrestricted free agent, Scott Fujita. The New Orleans Saints should easily be able to replace his production with a new acquisition this year.

Last season Scott Fujita played in 11 regular-season games and tallied 58 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles. 2006 was Scott Fujita's first and best season with the New Orleans Saints where he posted 96 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, six passes defensed and a forced fumble.

The New Orleans Saints will miss Scott Fujita's leadership in the locker room. Likewise, the City of New Orleans will miss his community activism. We wish Scott Fujita well as he leaves New Orleans. Cleveland, Ohio will certainly benefit from this true professional. Scott Fujita was a key leader for the first Super Bowl-winning team in New Orleans Saints franchise history. However, it's good that the Super Bowl champions don't get caught up in emotions and nostalgia.

Scott Fujita leaves Dallas Cowboys for New Orleans Saints

Linebacker Scott Fujita signs four-year deal with New Orleans Saints

March 13, 2006 - New Orleans, Louisiana - Former Dallas LB Scott Fujita, a familiar player to several members of the Saints coaching staff, agreed to terms on a four-year deal with Saints New Orleans Saints, as announced today by Executive Vice-President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. Scott Fujita became the first acquisition for New Orleans in the 2006 NFL free-agency period, as the New Orleans Saints made a significant initial strike in the NFL's Free Agency Period. Scott Fujita is the first free-agent acquisition under Head Coach Sean Payton.

Scott Fujita (6-5, 250) graduated from the California Bears with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in education. Scott Fujita was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where Scott Fujita was coached by Joe Vitt, the New Orleans Saints' current assistant head coach/linebackers coach, who was then the linebackers coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. During Scott Fujita's first three NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Scott Fujita led the Kansas City Chiefs in tackles twice in 2003 and 2004, starting all 32 games in that span. As a rookie in 2002, Scott Fujita started nine games and had 63 tackles, a sack and added 15 tackles on special teams. In 2003, Scott Fujita led the Kansas City Chiefs with 151 stops (110 solo), tied for the fourth-highest total in Kansas City Chiefs franchise history. In 2004, Scott Fujita had his second consecutive 100-tackle campaign with 112, and finished tied for third on the Kansas City Chiefs with 4.5 sacks.

In 2005, just prior to the season opener, Scott Fujita was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Working under the tutelage of then-Dallas linebackers coach Gary Gibbs, now the Saints defensive coordinator, Scott Fujita played in all 16 games, where he was a major contributor to the Dallas Cowboys defense as he posted 53 tackles (43 solo), two sacks and a forced fumble. Scott Fujita moved into the starting role after a season-ending injury to Linebacker Al Singleton and started the final eight games. Once traded to Dallas, Scott Fujita was coached by Gary Gibbs, the Saints' defensive coordinator, who was then the Cowboys' linebackers coach. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton also had a chance to see Fujita across the line on a daily basis in practice as the Cowboys' assistant head coach/passing game coordinator.

In his career, Fujita has posted 322 tackles (268 solo), 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Scott Fujita recorded a pair of sacks against New Orleans on Nov. 14, 2004, tying his career high. Entering his fifth season, Scott Fujita has started 49 games and has never missed a contest in his career. Scott Fujita has not missed a game in his four-year career and started 49 of those 64 contests.

New Orleans Saints Executive VP/General Manager, Mickey Loomis said, "We have targeted players we believe will make an impact. Scott is a smart and athletic player. He comes into a new situation and will pick up the system quickly. He has the aggressiveness on the field that you look for in a linebacker. Scott is a strong addition to our defense."

New Orleans Saints Head Coach, Sean Payton said, "Obviously, Gary and I are familiar with Scott from our time in Dallas. Scott defines the type of person we are looking for, a dedicated veteran who has been a starter and knows what it takes to succeed. Scott understands the system that Gary is putting in place and we are extremely pleased to have him on the roster as we move forward."

Scott Fujita said, "I felt comfortable in New Orleans from the start. It was an exciting opportunity and from working with Gary last year he knows what I'm capable of and how to make the most of my ability. But more than anything, I wanted to get in on the ground floor with a club that is committed to doing things the right way. It's a good fit for my wife Jaclyn and I, and we considered everything involved."

Scott Fujita said, "I was familiar with the coaches and I had to get familiar with the area. When New Orleans called, it was a trip that both my wife and I both definitely wanted to take. We felt comfortable right away and we felt great canceling the rest of our (scheduled) trips."

Scott Fujita said, "It was great to see a city on the mend. I felt there was so much upside to the organization that I had to come and check it out. To tell you the truth, we wouldn't be here if we didn't feel like there was not a tremendous upside with the new coaching staff, if I didn't believe in the organization and if I didn't believe in the city."

Scott Fujita said, "I was with them (Payton and Gibbs) in Dallas for a year and I was also with Joe Vitt, who drafted me in Kansas City. He was the guy who first put me on the field and gave me my first opportunity."

Scott Fujita said, "I play hard. One of the things I've learned is that there are very few things you can control. The one thing you can control is your effort and for me, I always consider myself a blue-collar guy. I'm going to bring it every single week, I'm going to play as hard and long as I can and I'll never take a knee."

Scott Fujita (OLB) # 55

New Orleans Saints 2006 - 2009

Height: 6-5

Weight: 250

Born: 4/28/1979, Ventura, CA

High School: Rio Mesa HS [Oxnard, CA]

College: California Bears

Drafted: 2002, 5th round, Kansas City Chiefs