NFL CAREER – Bunkley helped anchor the middle of the defensive line in his first season in New Orleans as he started 15 games after signing as an unrestricted free agent from the Denver Broncos. Originally a first round (14th overall) selection in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, the seven-year veteran has played in 107 games with 80 starts with career totals of 337 tackles (197 solo), 8.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. The former Florida State University standout will look to build on his success and contribute in the Saints’ new 3-4 defensive alignment.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed by Saints to a five-year contract (UFA-DEN), 3/21/12; Acquired by Denver Broncos from Philadelphia, 8/1/11; Signed by Philadelphia to a six-year contract, 8/4/06; Selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
2012 – Started all 15 games he appeared in for his first season as a Saint…Recorded 32 tackles (18 solo), 2.5 sacks and two passes defensed…Totaled a season-high seven stops (four solo) and split a sack with LB Scott Shanle in his Saints debut vs. Washington, Sept. 9…Registered one sack of Michael Vick on Monday Night Football vs. Philadelphia, Nov. 5…Posted three tackles (one solo) and one pass defense at Atlanta, Nov. 29…Recorded six tackles (four solo) and a sack in the season finale vs. Carolina, Dec. 30. 2011 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games with 13 starts at NT in his first season with the Broncos…Finished with 43 tackles (33 solo)…Registered season-high five solo tackles vs. N.Y. Jets, Nov. 17…Played in both postseason contests with one start and totaled six tackles (four solo), a sack and a forced fumble…Recorded first career postseason sack in AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12…Forced a fumble in AFC Divisional playoff at New England, 1/14/12. 2010 – Played in 14 games with five starts in final season with the Philadelphia Eagles…Registered 34 tackles (20 solo) and a pass defense…Ranked second on the team with five tackles for a loss…Made one tackle in NFC Wild Card playoff vs. Green Bay, 1/9/11…Missed two contests with an elbow injury, snapping a 47-game starting streak. 2009 – Started all 16 games and recorded 58 tackles (37 solo), a sack, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery…Tied for the team lead with six tackles for a loss…Registered four tackles in NFC Wild Card playoff at Dallas, 1/4/10. 2008 – Started all 16 games and finished with a career-high 82 tackles (46 solo) in addition to two sacks, one pass defense and one fumble recovery…Started all three postseason contests and recorded 13 tackles (five solo). 2007 – Started all 15 games he appeared in and registered 75 tackles (35 solo) with a career-best three sacks and one fumble recovery…Recorded seven tackles (one solo) in his first career start at Green Bay, Sept. 9. 2006 – Appeared in 15 games in his rookie campaign and totaled 13 tackles (eight solo) and one pass defense…Played in both postseason contests but did not post any stats.
COLLEGE – Appeared in 44 career games with 22 starts as a four-year letterman at Florida State…Finished with 129 tackles and 11.5 sacks…Ranked fourth in school history with 37 tackles for a loss…Ranked second in the nation with 25 tackles for a loss in his senior season, the most in a season by a Seminole…Earned numerous All-American honors his senior year…Majored in social science.
PERSONAL – Attended Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.) HS and was rated the state’s second-best DT by Florida Times-Union…Led team to the state finals with 18.5 sacks as a senior and was selected to play in the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game…Born on Nov. 23, 1983, in Tampa, Fla.
