He started every game at strong safety for the second straight year in his 2003 sophomore season, earning first-team All-WAC honors.

[2] During an August 2, 2009 press conference, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke of Sanders: James is an excellent leader.

He's a very committed player, spends a lot of time in the classroom, studying, learning, watching tape, making sure he knows his assignments.

I think he's very professional and you would like to have 53 players like James on your team in terms of his work ethic, his toughness [and] being a teammate.

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.

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).