Former Patriot Heath Evans Uses Experience to Help Saints

The Patriots could have used an athletic, durable fullback on offense this season. Too bad Heath Evans was not available.

The Saints signed Evans as a free agent last March. The fullback’s presence has helped the Saints reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, the Boston Herald reports.

The Saints offered him a contract because of his success with the Patriots.

“I think that’s why I was brought here,” Evans told the Herald. “[Coach] Sean [Payton] wants better leaders, better character guys. It’s highly known Bill [Belichick] only brings in good guys in New England. What I learned from him was priceless. I’m constantly trying to dive into that memory bank that really benefited us in my four years there.”

Evans tore his ACL and was lost for the season in October, but despite the injury, he has made an impact on the team.

"Heath was just a real good influence on everybody," Saints quarterback Drew Brees told ESPN.com. “Hopefully, he will be around, and I know he will be."

Evans’ experience as a Patriot has contributed to the Saints’ improvement this season. We’ll find out Sunday if it will help them capture the Lombardi Trophy.