Lorenzo Alexander

Lorenzo Alexander

refer to caption

Alexander with the Buffalo Bills in 2016
No. 57 Buffalo Bills
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1983-05-31) May 31, 1983
Place of birth: Oakland, California
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Berkeley (CA) St. Mary's
College: California
Undrafted: 2005
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 12, 2016
Total tackles: 238
Sacks: 19.0
Pass deflections: 9
Forced fumbles: 6
Player stats at NFL.com

Lorenzo John Alexander (born May 31, 1983) is an American football outside linebacker and special teamer for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2005.

Alexander has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders.

High school and college

Alexander went to Saint Mary's College High School, where he played as a defensive lineman. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30th, 2000. Alexander went to the University of California, Berkeley.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

On April 29, 2005, the Carolina Panthers signed Alexander as an undrafted free agent. He re-signed with the Panthers' practice squad on September 5, 2005 and was released on September 3, 2006.

Baltimore Ravens

He was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on September 7, 2006 and released just five days later.

Washington Redskins

Alexander was signed to the Washington Redskins' practice squad on October 3, 2006.

He made his NFL debut in Week 5 of the 2007 season against the Detroit Lions. Later in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had his first career start.

Alexander's first three seasons on the team were spent primarily playing on special teams and as a reserve defensive tackle. He also saw time on the offense as an offensive guard and tight end.

2010 season

On February 27, 2010, it was reported that Alexander would switch to outside linebacker.[1] On October 3, 2010, he delivered a hit on Philadelphia Eagles kickoff returner Jorrick Calvin in the Redskins' 17-12 win that prompted head coach Mike Shanahan to call it "one of the best hits I've been around since I've been in the NFL."[2] Later in the season, Shanahan called Alexander the best special teams player he'd been around.[3] Midway in the 2010 season, Alexander was made the permanent special teams captain.[4] At the end of the season he was the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

2011 season

Alexander continued to be captain of special teams throughout the 2011 season.[5] Along with working on special teams, he was made the backup left outside linebacker for Ryan Kerrigan. Alexander led special teams with 21 tackles on punt and kickoff coverage.[6] He was chosen as an alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl along with teammates, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo.[7] On January 5, 2012, it was announced that Alexander was chosen as the Redskins' nominee for the Walter Payton Award for the second straight year.[8] He was also named the Redskins' 2011 Special Teams Player of the Year.[9]

2012 season

Alexander signing an autograph at the 2013 Pro Bowl

On April 17, 2012, it was announced that Alexander would transition from an outside linebacker to an inside linebacker for the 2012 season to act as a backup for starting inside linebackers, London Fletcher and Perry Riley.[10] On September 21, he was fined $15,750 by the NFL for using a horse collar tackle on Danny Amendola in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams.[11] He had an impressive performance in the Week 6 win against the Minnesota Vikings. He not only recorded one and a half sacks on Christian Ponder, but also recovered the ball after Ponder fumbled that set up ideal positioning for the Redskins to score the next play.[12][13] Alexander was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as the designated special team performer.[14][15]

With Alexander set to become an unrestricted free agent during the 2013 season, the Redskins had made him an offer to stay with the team, but it was ultimately not enough of an offer for him to remain with the team.[16] His departure from the team was considered a casualty of the $36 million salary cap penalty that the team suffered in the 2012 offseason. Alexander, himself, even stated "But I know, in my heart of hearts, if it wasn’t for the cap, I would’ve been here.”[17]

Arizona Cardinals

Alexander signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 13, 2013 to a three-year, $9.5 million contract with $3 million guaranteed.[18] On September 23, it was announced that he would miss the rest of 2013 season and be placed on injured reserve due to a damaging his Lisfranc ligament in the Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints.[19] On August 31, 2015, he was cut by the Cardinals.[20]

Oakland Raiders

On September 2, 2015, Alexander signed a one-year, $870,000 contract with the Oakland Raiders.[21]

Buffalo Bills

On April 12, 2016, the Buffalo Bills signed Alexander to a one-year, $885,000 free agent contract with $75,000 guaranteed.[22][23] On October 9, 2016, he had his first career three sack performance against the Los Angeles Rams. During a week five matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Alexander finished with five solo tackles, two tackle for-a-loss, and a sack. Alexander had a seven-game sack streak to start the season and his nine sacks in the first seven games tied his career sack total he had accumulated over the past decade.[24] He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.[25]

Personal

Alexander was raised by his mother and his maternal uncle.[26] He is married and has two daughters and two sons. He has a family history of diabetes and thus a spokesmen for the American Diabetes Association.

When he joined the Redskins in 2006, Alexander gained the nickname, "One Man Gang", due to the versatility of football positions he can play; offensive guard, tight end, linebacker, fullback, defensive tackle, defensive end, and special teams.[27][28]

Alexander co-owns and runs a Pilates studio in Ashburn, Virginia called The Studio M.B.S. (Mind, Body, Soul) with former Redskins teammate Kedric Golston.[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Redskins will use Alexander at outside LB in 3-4 scheme". The Washington Post.
  2. ↑ "Banks, Alexander put the "special" in special teams". The Washington Post.
  3. ↑ "Shanahan: Alexander best special teamer he's seen". The Washington Post.
  4. ↑ "Redskins elevate Rabach, Hall and Alexander to captain status". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  5. ↑ Jones, Mike (September 5, 2011). "Quick hits: 'Rex won by an edge'". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  6. ↑ "Roster Review: Outside Linebackers". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  7. ↑ Maese, Rick (December 28, 2011). "London Fletcher among Redskins' Pro Bowl alternates". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  8. ↑ Jones, Mike (January 5, 2012). "Lorenzo Alexander named Redskins' Walter Payton award nominee". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  9. ↑ Jones, Mike (August 24, 2012). "Fred Davis, London Fletcher, Lorenzo Alexander named Redskins' 2011 players of the year". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  10. ↑ Jones, Mike (April 17, 2012). "Lorenzo Alexander transitioning to inside linebacker". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  11. ↑ Campbell, Rich (September 21, 2012). ""Out of hand" Redskins-Rams game results in at least $55,000 in fines". WashingtonTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  12. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (October 15, 2012). "Stats Recap: Redskins-Vikings". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  13. ↑ Maske, Mark (October 15, 2012). "Redskins juggle personnel on defense and reveal some helpful contributors". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  14. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (December 27, 2012). "Smith: None More Deserving Than Alexander". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  15. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (December 26, 2012). "Three Redskins Selected To 2013 Pro Bowl". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  16. ↑ Graziano, Dan (February 27, 2013). "Report: Alexander rejected Skins' first offer". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  17. ↑ Jones, Mike (March 13, 2013). "Lorenzo Alexander: Decision to leave Redskins for Cardinals was both hard and easy". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  18. ↑ Maske, Mark (March 13, 2013). "Lorenzo Alexander signs with Arizona". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  19. ↑ Urban, Darren (September 23, 2013). "Linebacker Loss With Sam Acho, Lorenzo Alexander". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  20. ↑ Urban, Darren (August 31, 2015). "Lorenzo Alexander, Dave Zastudil Among Cuts". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Raiders Sign LB Lorenzo Alexander". Raiders.com. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  22. ↑ Gantt, Darin (April 12, 2016). "Bills sign special teams guys Lorenzo Alexander, Colt Anderson". NBCSports.com. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Sportrac.com:Lorenzo Alexander contracts". Sportrac.com. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  24. ↑ Chris Weaseling. "Position Power Rankins:Top 10 Undrafted Players". Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  25. ↑ Ortega, Mark E. (November 3, 2016). "Tom Brady, David Johnson are Players of the Month". NFL.com.
  26. ↑ Chesebrough, Diane (January 27, 2012). "Washington Redskins: Lorenzo Alexander: ACES at Giving Back". SportsJourney.com. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  27. ↑ Ewoldt, Kevin (March 23, 2011). "Lorenzo Alexander Explains His Nickname "One Man Gang"". HogsHaven.com. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  28. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (June 27, 2012). "Alexander The Face Of Roster Versatility". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
  29. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (March 21, 2012). "Alexander Credits Pilates For Better Health". Redskins.com. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
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