Sheard with the Patriots in 2016 | |||||||||
No. 97, 93, 98, 91 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Born: | Hollywood, Florida, U.S. | May 10, 1989||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 268 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Hollywood Hills (Hollywood, Florida) | ||||||||
College: | Pittsburgh (2007–2010) | ||||||||
NFL draft: | 2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Jabaal Lamar Sheard [1] (born May 10, 1989) is an American former football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the New England Patriots, with whom he won Super Bowl LI.
Sheard was an All-Broward County defensive lineman who had 54 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior at Hollywood Hills, a Florida 5A (second largest classification) school. He was rated as the nation's No. 23 weakside defensive end and was one of the top 60 prospects in the state of Florida according to Rivals.com . He was a PrepStar All-Southeast Region.He was rated one of the top 100 prospects in Florida by SuperPrep. He was rated one of the top 75 prospects in the southeast region by Scout.com .
Sheard was also a track and field letterman. In 2007, he placed fourth in the shot put at the FHSAA Outdoor State Championships with a throw of 16.20 meters (53-0). He also earned All-Broward County honors in the discus. He was timed at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash at the Nike combine prior to his senior season.
Sheard was described as someone who didn't get enough credit on the Pittsburgh defensive line [2] and noted for his "extraordinary game" against Notre Dame and the pressure he put on quarterback Jimmy Clausen. [3] He had four tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and four quarterback hurries in the game, as he "simply overwhelmed right tackle Sam Young off the edge with his speed". [2] Commentator Wes Bunting describes Sheard, a 6–4, 260-pound lineman, as being balanced and exhibiting impressive body control, "an explosive first step", and "keeping his pad level down and making himself small when turning the corner". [2] As a junior in 2009 Sheard was overshadowed by teammate and fellow defensive lineman Greg Romeus, but "is a gifted pass rusher in his own right, and his combination of burst, balance and closing speed will find him a spot on an NFL roster". [2] Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh's coach and a former National Football League (NFL) coach has also said that he thinks Sheard and Romeus will both play in the NFL.
Teammate Brandon Lindsey, who believes Romeus and Sheard, credited them with helping him develop as a player saying, "They’ve really shown me how to work hard every day in practice and to not get frustrated when things don’t go your way." [4] The Panthers lead the country in sacks. [5]
Sheard was suspended from the Pitt Football team indefinitely after his July 18, 2010 arrest on charges stemming from an off-campus brawl that occurred on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh. [6] He was restored to the team after charges were reduced to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and paid restitution for injuries and damages incurred during the fight. [7]
Sheard earned first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American honors in 2010 and was named as one of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award for the years best defensive end.
Sheard was selected with the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. [8]
In 2011, Sheard started all 16 games for the Browns and led the team in sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (5). [9] Sheard and teammate Phil Taylor were chosen to the Pro Football Weekly 2011 All-Rookie Team. Sheard recorded his first career sack and forced fumble against the Indianapolis Colts in week 2 and recorded a career-high 2 sacks against the Arizona Cardinals in week 15. [10] [11]
In 2012, Sheard started all 16 games for the Browns, recording 7.0 sacks and 36 tackles to cap a productive year. [12]
Limited by injury, Sheard started 13 games in 2013. He recorded 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles. [13]
Sheard improved in 2014 under a new coaching staff led by head coach Mike Pettine. During the 2014 season, he started all 16 games and ended the year on a solid note with 44 combined tackles (25 solo, 19 assisted) and 2 sacks. [14]
As a free agent, Sheard signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the New England Patriots on March 11, 2015. [15] He made an immediate impact on the Patriots' defense, collecting four sacks in his first four games. [16] He finished the season with 37 tackles, 8 sacks, and two passes defensed. [17]
After Chandler Jones was traded to the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason, Sheard was expected to fill his starting role on the defensive line. In Week 3, he sacked Brock Osweiler twice in a 27-0 shutout win against the Texans. [18] On February 5, 2017, Sheard was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, he recorded two tackles and 0.5 sacks as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. [19] The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter and rallied back to win the game, which featured the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. [20]
On March 10, 2017, Sheard signed a three-year, $25.5 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. [21] [22] [23] Sheard was switched to an OLB due to the Colts' 3-4 scheme. He again made an immediate impact on the Colts' defense, collecting 5.5 sacks and 52 tackles over the course of the 2017 season.
After the 2017 season, the Colts fired Chuck Pagano and hired Frank Reich. The Colts then returned to a 4-3 defense and Sheard was moved back to defensive end. [24]
On October 12, 2020, Sheard was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. [25] He was elevated to the active roster on October 17 for the team's week 6 game against the Detroit Lions, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. [26]
On October 20, 2020, Sheard was signed by the New York Giants off the Jaguars practice squad. In Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sheard secured a 19–17 Giants victory by stripping Bengals backup quarterback Brandon Allen on the 50 yard line late in the fourth quarter, very close to field-goal range for kicker Randy Bullock. [27]
On September 1, 2021, Sheard was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He was released on November 16. [28]
Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | CLE | 16 | 55 | 40 | 15 | 8.5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2012 | CLE | 16 | 55 | 38 | 17 | 7.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2013 | CLE | 13 | 36 | 19 | 17 | 5.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
2014 | CLE | 16 | 44 | 25 | 19 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2015 | NE | 13 | 37 | 28 | 9 | 8.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2016 | NE | 15 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
2017 | IND | 16 | 52 | 37 | 15 | 5.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2018 | IND | 16 | 50 | 27 | 13 | 5.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
2019 | IND | 13 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | JAX NYG | 10 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Career | 144 | 406 | 274 | 132 | 53.0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Dwight Jason Freeney is an American former football player who played as a defensive end and linebacker for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. With the Colts, Freeney won Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears, and made seven Pro Bowls. He also played for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.
Anthony Siragusa, nicknamed "the Goose", was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League (NFL). After his football career, he worked as a sideline analyst for NFL games broadcast on the Fox Network from 2003 to 2015. He also hosted various shows on television, such as the home renovation program Man Caves on the DIY Network.
MeShaunda "Shaun" Pizarrur Ellis, nicknamed "Big Katt", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end who spent the majority of his career with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Ellis was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft with the 12th overall pick. He also played for the New England Patriots. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Terrell Raymonn Suggs, nicknamed "T-Sizzle", is an American former football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 10th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft, and is the franchise's all-time leader in sacks. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ted Monachino is an American football coach who is currently the defensive line coach at North Carolina. He was hired by the Tar Heels in 2023 as Senior Defensive Analyst before being elevated to the defensive line position following the departures of Tim Cross and Gene Chizik. A longtime assistant in the National Football League (NFL), Monachino coached for several teams, including most recently as outside linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Monachino also coached for Missouri in 2018 and served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2016 to 2017. He was also formerly the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2010 to 2015. He was part of the Ravens' coaching staff that won Super Bowl XLVII.
Calais Malik Campbell is an American football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Qualin Dont'a Hightower is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Patriots. Hightower played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, receiving consensus All-American honors and winning two BCS National Championships. Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Patriots, he was named to two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl titles.
Vonnie B'VSean Miller is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Miller played college football at Texas A&M, where he earned consensus All-American honors and the Butkus Award. He was selected by the Denver Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
Chandler James Jones is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Malik Barron Jackson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Jackson was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns.
Barkevious Levon Mingo is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers (LSU) and was selected by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots.
Kyle Van Noy is an American football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Van Noy played college football at BYU. He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, with whom he spent his first three seasons. Van Noy played his next four seasons for the New England Patriots, where he won Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Following a year as a member of the Miami Dolphins, he rejoined New England in 2021. Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers the following season.
Joe Vellano is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at the University of Maryland, and signed with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, and the Parma Panthers of the Italian Football League.
Aaron Charles Donald is an American former football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams franchise. He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
Malcom D'Shawn Brown is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Texas. He was selected by the New England Patriots with the 32nd overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
DeForest George Buckner is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. With the 49ers, Buckner made a Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. With the Colts, he was selected to the first-team All Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.
Geneo Grissom is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round with the 97th overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft.
Shaquil Akeem Barrett is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks before transferring to the Colorado State Rams. Barrett was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Broncos, including winning Super Bowl 50, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barrett's level of play increased, making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2019 after leading the league in sacks, and in 2021 won Super Bowl LV, recording a sack in the game. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 before retiring from football shortly after.
Elandon Roberts is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Houston. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He plays primarily as a linebacker on defense, but when injuries during the 2019 season left the Patriots without a fullback on the roster, Roberts began to play that position as well.
Brian Poole is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Florida and signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2016.