Eric Alexander

Alexander during a Stephen Gostkowski kickoff
No. 52     New England Patriots
Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: February 8, 1982 (1982-02-08) (age 27)
Place of birth: Tyler, Texas
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
College: Louisiana State
Undrafted in 2004
Debuted in 2004 for the New England Patriots
Career history
As player: New England Patriots (2004-present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XXXIX)
Career NFL statistics as of 2009
Tackles	44
Sacks	0.0
INT	0
Forced fumbles	1
Pass deflections	0
Stats at NFL.com

Eric Alexander (born on February 8, 1982 in Tyler, Texas) is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Louisiana State.

[edit] Early years

Alexander attended Stephen F. Austin High in Port Acres, Texas, where he played football as a running back and safety while also participating in baseball and track and field. He was twice named a member of The Port Arthur News Super Team and was an honorable All-State mention before graduating in 2000.

[edit] College career

Alexander attended Louisiana State University beginning in 2000. In his first three seasons with the team he was a backup safety and special teams contributor. Alexander moved to linebacker before his senior season in 2003 and recorded 65 tackles and five sacks in LSU's BCS Championship season.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] New England Patriots

Alexander was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2004 NFL Draft. He was waived by the Patriots on September 5, 2004, and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the 53-man roster on December 20, 2004, but was placed on injured reserve during the playoffs on January 13, 2005. Alexander was again released during final cuts in 2005 and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, September 4, 2005. He was elevated to the 53-man roster for the team's Week 5 game against the Atlanta Falcons, waived after the game, and re-signed to the practice squad, where he spent the rest of the season.

After the 2005 season, Alexander was re-signed by the Patriots, and in 2006, Alexander made the Patriots' opening day roster for the first time in his career. He appeared in 14 games in 2006, a career high, and in the AFC Championship, Alexander made the first start of his NFL career in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, leading the team with 10 solo tackles at inside linebacker. Alexander again made the opening day roster in 2007, appearing in 12 games and leading the team in special teams tackles in two games. However, Alexander was inactive for all but one game in 2008 before being placed on injured reserve on November 22. He was re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Patriots following the 2008 season. He was released on October 20, 2009, and re-signed the next day to a different contract. He signed a one-year extension on November 23, 2009.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• New England Patriots bio
• LSU Tigers bio