It's not as if there weren't expectations of him.

When the New Orleans Saints added free agent linebacker Craig Robertson, he was expected to be a core special team member, a solid veteran who understood the importance of the units and previously had done the job admirably. True, he'd started some games at linebacker, but special teams would be where he would make his mark.

Except, Robertson proved to be so much more valuable as a starting linebacker – first, because Dannell Ellerbe was injured and later, because he simply was too good to take off the field.

Robertson led the Saints with a career-high 115 tackles, and also showed his versatility in the passing game (four passes defensed, one interception) in a career-high 15 starts. He'll be tough to unseat in the starting lineup, and added an element at "Mike" linebacker that the Saints had lacked.

BEST GAME: Robertson was impossible to ignore during training camp; he often was a defender playing pass defense 20 yards down the field, capably covering tight ends and running backs, breaking up passes and intercepting a few. That was the player on display when the Saints played San Francisco, in a 41-23 road victory. The 49ers took advantage of the Saints several times in pass defense in the first half, but Robertson intercepted his only pass of the season and returned it 29 yards to set up a Saints touchdown, was credited with two passes defensed and also recorded five tackles.

BEST QUOTE: "I just want to win. That's what it all boils down to. Regardless of whether I play every snap, one snap or no snaps, I want to do whatever I can to put our defense and our team in the best position to win a game.

"That's what this league boils down to. You can play as good as you want to, but it's a wins and losses league. The more games you win, that's what you're judged by." – Robertson