James Sanders ( American football ) James Sanders ( born November 11 , 1983 ) is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft . He played college football at Fresno State . Sanders has also played for the Atlanta Falcons . College career . After graduating from Monache High School , Sanders attended Fresno State University , where he played for head coach Pat Hill , a former assistant under Patriots head coach Bill Belichick , then coach of the Cleveland Browns . As a freshman in 2002 , Sanders was a first - team freshman All - America n selection by the Football Writers Association of America and an All - WAC honorable mention . He started every game at strong safety for the second straight year in his 2003 sophomore season , earning first - team All - WAC honors . In his junior season in 2004 , Sanders again earned All - WAC honors in what would prove to be his final season at Fresno cks on special teams . Professional career . New England Patriots . Sanders was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft ( 133rd overall ) . He was subsequently signed by the Patriots in July 2005 . He played in 10 games as a rookie in 2005 , starting twice . In a Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills , Sanders returned an interception late in the game 39 yards for a touchdown . Sanders started five of the 16 games he played in during the 2006 season , filling in for an injured Rodney Harrison . During the 2007 season , fellow safety Eugene Wilson lost his starting spot to Sanders , who went on to start 15 games in the regular season and Super Bowl XLII . He started 14 games in 2008 , missing two games in December due to an injury . In March 2009 , Sanders agreed to terms with the Patriots on a three - year contract . It was reported that Sanders turned down more money elsewhere to return to the Patriots . During an August 2 , 2009 press conference , Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke of Sanders : Sanders started the first game of the 2009 season before losing his job to Brandon McGowan in Week 2 . He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 and missed the team ' s Week 5 game . He regained his starting job in Week 14 , and started the final four games of the season as well as the Patriots ' playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens . He finished the season with 48 tackles . In 2010 , Sanders opened the regular season as a starter in the Patriots ' base defense following the demotion of Brandon Meriweather , and started two of the first three games . After Meriweather returned as a starter in Week 4 , Sanders was the team ' s third safety until he filled in for an injured Patrick Chung in Weeks 8 and 9 . In Week 10 , Sanders did not start but was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting a Ben Roethlisberger pass and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers . In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts , Sanders made a game - saving interception at the Patriots ' 6 - yard line with seconds remaining when he picked off quarterback Peyton Manning ' s throw as the Colts offense ( already in field goal range ) was poised to score and either tie the game or take the lead with a touchdown . Sanders finished the 2010 season with 58 tackles , three interceptions , and one forced fumble in 15 games played ( nine starts ) . He was released by New England on August 29 , 2011 . Atlanta Falcons . On August 30 , 2011 , Sanders signed with the Atlanta Falcons . Arizona Cardinals . Sanders signed with the Arizona Cardinals on April 4 , 2012 .