Eric Alexander

LB, #52

Height: 6-2 Weight: 240

Year: 6 Yrs/Pat: 6

Acquired: FA-04

School: Louisiana State

Major: Engineering

Born: Feb 8, 1982 Tyler Texas

Eric Alexander was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on April 29, 2004 … Waived by the Patriots (9/5/04) … Signed to the Patriots practice squad (9/6/04) … Signed to the Patriots active roster (12/20/04) … Placed on injured reserve (1/13/05) … Released by the Patriots (9/3/05) … Signed to the Patriots practice squad (9/4/05) … Signed to the Patriots active roster from the practice squad (10/8/05) … Released by the Patriots (10/11/05) … Re-signed to the Patriots practice squad (10/12/05) … Signed to the Patriots active roster from the practice squad (1/30/06) … Re-signed by the Patriots (3/5/09).

GP/GS (Playoffs): 45/0 (7/1)
Alexander enters the 2010 season having played in 45 career games since being signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent prior to the 2004 season.
Alexander earned his first career start in the 2006 AFC Championship Game and led the Patriots with 10 solo tackles in the contest.
Alexander led the Patriots with eight special teams tackles in the 2007 playoffs, and finished fourth on the team with a career-high 14 special teams tackles in the 2007 regular season.
Alexander has recorded 14 special teams tackles in seven career playoff games entering 2010.

2009 Season
2009 (14/0, 1/0)

Played in 14 games and was inactive for two games.
Finished third on the team with 14 special teams tackles.
Helped set the tone in the Patriotsí 27-21 victory vs. Baltimore (10/4), forcing a Chris Carr fumble on the gameís opening kickoff, allowing Brandon McGowan to recover and set up a Stephen Gostkowski field goal.

2008 Season
2008 (1/0):

Appeared in the season opener against Kansas City (9/7), but was listed as a day-of-game inactive for the next nine games.
Placed on injured reserve on Nov. 22 with a hamstring injury.

2007 Season
2007 (12/0, 3/0)

Played in 12 games in his third NFL season and listed as a day-of-game inactive four times.
Set a career high in special teams tackles with 14, a tally that was fourth best on the team.
Led the team with eight special teams tackles in the playoffs.
Led or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles two times during the regular season.
Set a single-game career high with a team-high four special teams tackles in the Patriots’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (11/25).
Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles one week later in a win at the Baltimore Ravens (12/3).
Led the team with two special teams tackles in the Patriots’ AFC Divisional playoff victory over Jacksonville (1/12).
Contributed a team-high three special teams tackles in the Patriots’ victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC
Championship Game (1/20).
Tallied a team-high three special teams tackles against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII (2/3).

2006 Season
2006 (14/0, 3/1)

In his first full season on the active roster, saw action in 14 games and started one playoff game at inside linebacker.
Registered 10 special teams tackles, tying him for fifth on the team.
Led the team or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles four times (vs. BUF, vs. DEN, at BUF, at MIN).
Teamed with Don Davis to stonewall Terrence McGee at the Buffalo 17-yard line during a fourth quarter kickoff return against Buffalo (9/10).
Saw significant action at inside linebacker in the nickel package and posted three tackles (2 solo) against Tennessee (12/31).
Teamed with Heath Evans to stonewall Justin Miller at his own 13-yard line on a third-quarter kickoff return in the
Patriots’ AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets (1/7).
Tied for the team lead with three special teams tackles on coverage units in the Patriots’ AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers (1/14).
Made his first NFL start at middle linebacker and led the team with 10 solo tackles in the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis (1/21). Registered a sack, a pass defensed and a forced fumble. Sacked Peyton Manning for a 1-yard loss in the second quarter. Knocked down a pass over the middle intended for Bryan Fletcher late in the fourth quarter.

2005 Season
2005 (1/0, 0/0)

Was on the active roster for one game and spent the remainder of the regular season and playoffs as a member of the Patriots practice squad.
Was signed to the practice squad (9/4) and later signed to the active roster (10/8).
Released (10/11) and re-signed to the practice squad (10/12), where he spent the rest of the season.

2004 season
2004 (3/0, 0/0)

Played in the final three regular season games after being signed from the practice squad (12/20).
Member of the practice squad for the first 14 weeks of the season.
Placed on injured reserve (1/13/05) and missed all three playoff games.
Made his NFL debut against the Miami Dolphins (12/20) and recorded two special teams tackles.

College

Excelled on special teams for LSU in his first three years before taking over at strong-side outside linebacker during his final campaign.
Moved from strong safety to weak-side linebacker prior to the 2002 season opener.
Started 14 of 39 games during his career, recording 77 tackles (56 solos) with five sacks, 10 stops for losses, nine quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and five pass break-ups.
As a senior, started all year at strong-side outside linebacker, recording a career-high 65 tackles (51 solos), including five sacks for minus 36 yards, nine stops for losses of 34 yards and nine quarterback pressures.
Played in every game as a junior on special teams.
Played in seven regular season games as a sophomore and in the Sugar Bowl on special teams.
Played in five games as a reserve safety as a freshman.

Eric Alexander was born the son of Deanna and Tracy Porter on Feb. 8, 1982 in Tyler, Texas.
Attended Stephen F. Austin (Port Arthur, Tex.) High.
Two-time member of the Port Arthur News Super Team.
Honorable mention all-state as well as being selected to the all-metro squad as both a safety and running back.
Rushed for 1,782 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior.
Member of the National Honor Society.
Earned letters in football, basketball, baseball and track.
In November 2006, helped pass out Thanksgiving food baskets at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston.
Supporter of the Kids Café Program at the Chelsea Boys and Girls Club.
In 2008, participated in the United Way of Rhode Island’s Hometown Huddle at the East Providence Boys & Girls
Club, teaching club members how to incorporate nutrition and fitness into their daily routines.
In 2007, attended Chelsea Day in Chelsea, Mass., in support of the Jordan Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea.
Was an engineering major at LSU.

Extra Points

Eric served as an honorary coach in the 2008 and 2009 BELL Bowl, a fundraiser at Gillette Stadium to benefit the BELL Foundation.
Eric earned his first career start in the 2006 AFC Championship Game and led the Patriots with 10 solo tackles in the contest.
Majored in engineering at LSU.

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