James Anderson (American football)

Last updated

James Anderson
James Anderson in 2006 with Panthers.jpg
Anderson with the Carolina Panthers in 2006
No. 50, 57, 42
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1983-09-26) September 26, 1983 (age 40)
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Chesapeake (VA) Deep Creek
College: Virginia Tech
NFL draft: 2006  / Round: 3 / Pick: 88
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:577
Sacks:12.0
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:8
Interceptions:3
Player stats at PFR

James Nathaniel Anderson (born September 26, 1983) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected in the third round (88th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Contents

Early life

Anderson was a high school and college football teammate of DeAngelo Hall and Darryl Tapp at Deep Creek High School and Virginia Tech.

College career

Anderson redshirted in 2001 at Virginia Tech, performing on the scout team. He played in every game in 2002, earning three starts and posting 47 tackles (28 solos) with a half sack, three stops for losses and a forced fumble. He spent the bulk of the 2003 season playing on special teams, as only four of his 41 tackles (29 solos) came during defensive action.

Anderson started 12 games at weak-side linebacker in 2004, performing in 117 special teams and 368 defensive snaps. He ranked seventh on the squad with 48 tackles (21 solos) and had 2.5 sacks with 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.

He started every game as a senior, ranking second on the Tech team with a career-high 82 tackles (41 solos). Anderson registered three sacks and tied for third on the team with 8.5 stops for losses. He caused and recovered a fumble, batted away three passes and had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

In 53 games with the Hokies, Anderson started 28 times. He collected 218 tackles (119 solos) with seven sacks for minus-26 yards and 18 stops for losses of 75 yards. He was credited with six quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Anderson also gained 53 yards with a touchdown on three interception returns and deflected five passes.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+34 in
(1.90 m)
229 lb
(104 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.64 s1.57 s2.67 s4.07 s6.67 s41.0 in
(1.04 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
All values from NFL Combine [1] [2]

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers selected Anderson in the third round (88th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. [3] The Panthers obtained the selection as compensation for failing to re-sign cornerback Ricky Manning as a Restricted free agent.

In his debut season, he appeared in 16 games and recorded 25 tackles. He made his first career start at the Cincinnati Bengals on October 22. In the 2007 season, he played in ten games and recorded 11 tackles.

In 2011, Anderson was re-signed by the Panthers with a 5-year deal worth 22 million dollars and 8.5 million guaranteed. In 2012 against the New York Giants, Anderson recorded a franchise record 20 tackles in a single game. He was later released in March 2013 to save salary cap room. Anderson ended his tenure with 94 appearances, the most by a linebacker in Panthers history at the time of his release. [4]

Chicago Bears

On March 24, 2013, Anderson signed a contract with the Chicago Bears, [5] and wore number 50, becoming the first Bears player to wear the number since Mike Singletary retired in 1992. [6] Anderson ended the 2013 season leading the Bears in tackles with 102, and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles for loss.

New England Patriots

Anderson signed with the New England Patriots on June 4, 2014. [7] The Patriots released Anderson on August 24, 2014. [8]

Tennessee Titans

Anderson signed with the Tennessee Titans on September 16, 2014, replacing an injured Zach Brown. [9]

Atlanta Falcons

Signed with the Atlanta Falcons on November 20, 2014. He was released on December 24, 2014.

Dallas Cowboys

On December 30, 2014, Anderson signed with the Dallas Cowboys. [10]

New Orleans Saints

Anderson playing for the Saints in 2015. Saints vs Panthers 12.6.15 021.jpg
Anderson playing for the Saints in 2015.

On November 10, 2015, Anderson signed with the New Orleans Saints. [11]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGPCOMBTOTALASTSACKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNGTDPD
2006 CAR 16211832.0200000002
2007 CAR 10171430.0000000000
2008 CAR 83300.0000000000
2009 CAR 166547181.0113000001
2010 CAR 16130101293.5232111105
2011 CAR 1614598471.5030253509
2012 CAR 127339340.0000000002
2013 CHI 1610285174.0010000003
2014 TEN 75410.0000000000
2015 NO 6161150.0000000000
Career12357742015712.05853625022

[12]

Key

Personal life

Anderson's nephew is former Liberty Flames starting quarterback and current Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis.

James appeared on the ABC Network miniature golf reality show, Holey Moley in August 2020. He set a record for longest time on the mechanical gopher. After winning in the first round, he was defeated by the Cookie Lady on "Putt the Plank" when his tee shot landed in the sand trap.

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References

  1. "James Anderson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. "James Anderson, DS #13 OLB, Virginia Tech". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  3. "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  4. Sessler, Marc (March 24, 2013). "James Anderson, Chicago Bears agree to contract". National Football League . Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  5. "Bears add LB James Anderson". ESPN . March 24, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  6. Mayer, Larry (April 9, 2013). "Singletary OK with Anderson wearing old number". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  7. "Patriots sign veteran LB James Anderson and release WR Mark Harrison". Patriots.com. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  8. Patriots reportedly release Tommy Kelly, Will Smith
  9. Wilkening, Mike (September 16, 2014). "Titans place LB Zach Brown on IR, agree with LB James Anderson". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  10. Sabin, Rainer. "Henry Melton placed on IR, Cowboys fill spot with LB James Anderson". cowboysblog.dallasnews.com. The Dallas Morning News Inc. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  11. Woodbery, Evan (November 13, 2015). "LB James Anderson joins New Orleans Saints, team he's faced 13 times on other side". nola.com/saints. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  12. "James Anderson Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved June 27, 2021.