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January 30, 2008

Sanders knew his chance was coming

He is quite possibly the quietest member of the Patriots' defense in the locker room, but James Sanders has announced himself to NFL opponents.

The third-year safety out of Fresno State started 15 games this season, first in place of Rodney Harrison, who was suspended for the first four games of the year, and then for Eugene Wilson, who was first hurt and then surpassed by Sanders.

A hard worker who had responsibility thrust on him at a young age when he helped his mother care for his five brothers and sisters, Sanders had a career-high 73 tackles during the regular season along with two interceptions, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

He has learned at the knee of Harrison, one of the hardest hitters and most versatile safeties of his era.

"Each and every year, I come in and I work extremely hard. I learn from Rodney. I try to come in each year like I'm a rookie," Sanders said. "I constantly learn, ask questions, and always try to get better and more consistent on the field."

Bill Belichick lauded Sanders' work ethic recently, and clearly his friend and former assistant Pat Hill, the coach at Fresno State, was right when he undoubtedly recommended Sanders to Belichick before the 2005 draft.

He was thrust into a starting role last year, when Harrison suffered different injuries in the latter half of the season. He recorded 17 tackles in three postseason games, including a key third-down sack against San Diego in the divisional round.

But Sanders said he really felt comfortable midway through this season.

"In the Indianapolis game, I went out there and was just playing my game off emotion and playing physical. The coaches had my back; they didn't tell me too much, just let me play the game," he said. "I didn't have to look over my shoulder and worry about doing something wrong. I went out there and played my game. I think that might have been the game when I turned the corner."

It was the result of more than two years of hard work: "I kept grinding and I kept working hard. I just knew when that opportunity presented itself, I would be ready," he said.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:20 PM to James Sanders | Permalink