re: Complete Saints Draft History Under Payton

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2006- During the regular season, Ninkovich appeared in three games for the Saints as a reserve defensive end before suffering a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 29, finishing the year with four tackles.

2007- During an afternoon practice on July 30, 2007, Ninkovich was carted off the field with a knee injury that caused him to miss the preseason. He was waived by the team prior to the regular season opener. Ninkovich was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on September 7, 2007. He appeared in four games for the team that season as a reserve defensive end while being inactive for the other 12 games. Ninkovich finished the season with two tackles, recording one each against the New York Jets (Sept. 23) and New York Giants (Oct. 28).

2008- Ninkovich, who converted to outside linebacker when the Dolphins switched to a 3–4 defense in 2008, tied Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks with a team-high two sacks during the 2008 preseason. He was released by the team on August 31 and re-signed to the practice squad on September 3.
On November 15, 2008, Ninkovich was promoted to the active roster. He played against the Oakland Raiders in a reserve role on November 16 but did not record any tackles. On November 20, he was released to make room for linebacker Erik Walden. Ninkovich was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
Ninkovich signed off the Dolphins' practice squad by the New Orleans Saints on December 3, 2008. He was released on July 30, 2009 after the Saints signed long snapper Jason Kyle. Ninkovich had previously been considered as a long snapping option for the Saints in the offseason

2009 he hit it with the Patriots.

Plenty of players take a while or have to get in the right situation for things to click. See the resumes of Lance Moore & dlP before getting to NOLA.