Fred Strickland

Last updated

Fred Strickland
No. 53, 55
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1966-08-15) August 15, 1966 (age 57)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:246 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school: Wanaque (NJ) Lakeland Regional
College: Purdue
NFL draft: 1988  / Round: 2 / Pick: 47
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:161
Tackles:711
Sacks:8.5
Fumble recoveries:11
Interceptions:4
Player stats at PFR

Fredrick William Strickland, Jr. (born August 15, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.

Contents

Early years

Strickland attended Lakeland Regional High School, where he was a two-way player (linebacker and fullback). He earned honorable-mention high school All-American honors as a senior. He also practiced basketball.

He accepted a football scholarship from Purdue University. He became a starter as a sophomore, finishing fourth in the conference with 132 tackles (89 solo).

As a junior, he was second in the conference with 140 tackles (80 solo). As a senior, he led the conference in tackles with 130, earning All-Big Ten honors. He appeared in the Blue-Gray Game.

He was a three-year starter and would lead the team in tackles for three straight years. He finished his college career in second place in school history in total tackles (479) and first place in solo tackles (321); he also led the Boilermakers in tackles in 3 straight seasons (1985–87).

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Strickland was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (47th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. [1] As a rookie, he was a backup linebacker, tallying 43 tackles (34 solo) and 4 sacks. He had 2 sacks in the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers and in the playoff loss against the Minnesota Vikings.

In 1989, he suffered a right knee injury early in training camp, missing all of the preseason and the season opener. He still was able to become a starter at inside linebacker, registering 63 tackles (fifth on the team), 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 6 passes defensed. He missed 3 games with an ankle injury he suffered in the sixth game against the Buffalo Bills. He had 10 tackles and 2 interceptions in the season finale against the New England Patriots.

In 1990, the Rams took advantage of his versatility as a player, creating a position called "nose linebacker", that rushed the quarterback, dropped back in coverage and took on offensive lineman in the running game. [2] On October 15, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a fractured left fibula. [3] He was fourth on the team with 25 tackles at the time.

In 1991, he made 29 tackles (23 solo), one sack, 2 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He missed 2 games after suffering a sprained knee in the second game against the New York Giants.

In 1992, he was passed on the depth chart at middle linebacker by Larry Kelm, playing mainly on special teams and short yardage situations. He collected 7 tackles and 8 special teams tackles.

Minnesota Vikings

On May 7, 1993, he was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings. [4] He finished with 15 starts at weakside linebacker, 137 tackles (second on the team) and 4 fumble recoveries (tied for second on the league), on a defense that was ranked number 1 in the league. [5]

Green Bay Packers

On June 23, 1994, after the retirement of linebackers Johnny Holland and Brian Noble, he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers, reuniting with his former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. [6] He was named the starter at middle linebacker, posting 88 tackles (second on the team).

The next year he had 72 tackles. He missed 2 games after suffering a sprained left medial collateral ligament in the fourteenth game against the Cleveland Browns.

Dallas Cowboys

In 1996, after losing linebackers Robert Jones and Dixon Edwards to free agency, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent on March 11. [7] He was named the starter at middle linebacker and recorded 153 tackles (led the team) on a defense that was ranked number 3 in the league. On November 24, he had a career-high 20 tackles against the New York Giants.

In 1997, he was limited with injuries, but still tallied 132 tackles (fourth on the team) and 2 fumble recoveries (tied for the team lead). In 1998, he registered 117 tackles (third on the team). On February 11, 1999, he was released after the team decided to start third year player Randall Godfrey. [8]

Washington Redskins

On March 27, 1999, he signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent. [9] He was the backup at middle linebacker to Derek Smith, before being placed on the injured reserve list on October 26. [10] The next year, he was tried at outside linebacker, until being released before the start of the season.

Strickland played 12 seasons in the NFL; appearing in 161 games (111 starts) and finishing with 580 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

He retired soon after.

Personal life

Strickland is the cousin of professional wrestler Swerve Strickland. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Fletcher</span> American football player (born 1975)

London Levi Fletcher-Baker is an American former linebacker who played for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins. He played college football at John Carroll and signed with Rams as an undrafted free agent in 1998. After four seasons with the Rams, he was a member of the Bills for five seasons and spent his last seven seasons with the Redskins. He made four Pro Bowls during his Redskins tenure and won a Super Bowl title with the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Robert Vinson Smith, is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates. Smith played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He won Super Bowl XXVII with Dallas over the Buffalo Bills.

Broderick Lee Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning unanimous All-American honors in 1988.

Scott Allen Shanle is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at the University of Nebraska.

William Frederick Bates is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 15-year career as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). A fan favorite, he was a Pro Bowl selection in 1984, played in Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX, and was on the Cowboys' roster for Super Bowl XXVII. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Alshermond Glendale Singleton is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Temple University.

Markus Steele is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Southern California.

Robert Lee Jones is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates football, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by Dallas in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft with the 24th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrin Smith</span> American football player (born 1970)

Darrin Andrew Smith is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Durant</span> American football player (born 1985)

Justin Ryan Durant is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hampton University.

Dixon Voldean Edwards, III is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.

Darrick Dewayne Brownlow is an American former football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL draft.

Orantes Laquay Grant is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia.

David Howard is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League. He played college football at Long Beach State University.

Jesse William Solomon is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Florida State University.

Tony Dixon is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hicks</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jordan Hicks is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Wilber</span> American football player and coach (born 1989)

Kyle Wilber is a former American football linebacker and coach who is the special teams quality control coach for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wake Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Thomas (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Joe Lewis Thomas Jr. is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State, and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Littleton</span> American football player (born 1993)

Cory Littleton is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Rams : Fred Strickland, a Man of Many Positions". Los Angeles Times . September 22, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. May 8, 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Strickland fills gaping hole left by depleted linebacker corps" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. June 25, 1994. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Strickland joins Cowboys" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Redskins Land Strickland" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Redskins add new defenders" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  11. ↑ "RBR Wrestling Interviews Shane Strickland". FanOff.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.