Robert Ayers

Last updated

Robert Ayers
Robert Ayers.JPG
Ayers with the Denver Broncos in 2009
No. 56, 91
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1985-09-06) September 6, 1985 (age 39)
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:Bennettsville (SC) Marlboro
College: Tennessee (2004–2008)
NFL draft: 2009  / round: 1 / pick: 18
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:265
Sacks:34.5
Forced fumbles:9
Fumble recoveries:3
Pass deflections:12
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Ayers (born September 6, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for 10 years in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Contents

Early life

Ayers was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. [1] He spent part of his freshman year at Hoboken High School in 1999–2000 before moving to Clio, South Carolina, [2] where he attended Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville. [3] He was an All-State linebacker and was selected to play in the 2003 Shrine Bowl as a senior. [4] That season, he recorded 112 tackles and intercepted five passes. As a junior, he had 94 tackles, eight sacks, and three interceptions. In addition to football, he also lettered twice in track as a sprinter, running the 100-meter dash and 4 x 100 metres relay.

College career

Ayers began at the University of Tennessee as a redshirt outside linebacker in 2004. [5] [6] As a sophomore, he moved to defensive end and was a backup, recording five tackles and one sack. In 2006, he once again was a backup, totaling 25 tackles and one sack. In 2007, Ayers was once again a backup, but led the team with four sacks and 12 tackles for losses. He also had 34 tackles, two pass breakups and four quarterback pressures. As a senior in 2008 Ayers became a starter at right defensive end, recording 49 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and a team and league leading 15.5 tackles for losses. [7] [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 3+1⁄8 in
(1.91 m)		272 lb
(123 kg)		4.78 s1.62 s2.78 s4.46 s7.07 s29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m)		8 ft 6 in
(2.59 m)		18 reps29
20-ss and 3-cone from Tennessee Pro Day, all others from NFL Combine [9] [10]

Denver Broncos

Ayers was selected by the Denver Broncos as the second one of their two first round picks at 18th overall of the 2009 NFL draft. [11] The Broncos drafted Ayers with the first round pick that was traded from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Jay Cutler. On August 4, 2009, Ayers signed a five-year contract with $9.7 million guaranteed. [12] In his rookie season, he recorded 19 tackles and no sacks. [13] He recorded his first professional sack in week 1 of the 2010 season against David Garrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars. [14]

Ayers's second season was a bit of a disappointment to fans who were hoping for high production from the former first-round draft selection. In 2010, Ayers started in ten games as an outside linebacker and recorded 39 tackles and 1.5 sacks. [15]

Ayers finished the 2011 season with three sacks, 39 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble. [16] He had two sacks against the Steelers in the Wild Card Round victory. [17]

Ayers began the 2012 season as a backup under new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. He had two sacks and 16 total tackles in 15 games. [18]

In the 2013 season, Ayers had 5.5 sacks, 29 total tackles, and one forced fumble in 15 games and three starts. [19] In the AFC Championship, he had one sack in the 26–16 win over the Patriots. [20] The Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, but fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 43–8. [21] Ayers recorded one tackle in the game. [22]

New York Giants

Ayers signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the New York Giants on April 2, 2014. [23] He was placed on season ending injured reserve on December 2, 2014, after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. [24] In the 2014 season, he had five sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble in 12 games and one start. [25] In 2015, Ayers set a career record for sacks and led all Giants players in that category with 9.5 sacks despite missing four games. [26] [27]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 12, 2016, Ayers agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [28] On September 11, Ayers recorded a sack in his Buccaneers debut, bringing down Matt Ryan in a 31–24 win over the Atlanta Falcons. [29] Ayers was sidelined for five weeks due to an ankle injury. [30] [31] On November 13, he recorded a season-high 1.5 sacks and five tackles, as well as forcing fumble in the end zone, resulting as a safety in a 36–10 blowout win over the Chicago Bears. [32] Ayers wrapped up his first year as a Buccaneer with 6.5 sacks, 29 tackles, and a forced fumble. [33]

On October 22, 2017, Ayers brought down his first sack of the season, dropping Tyrod Taylor in a 27–30 loss to the Buffalo Bills. [34] On November 5, Ayers recorded a strip-sack against the New Orleans Saints. [35] He missed Week 12 & 13 due to a concussion. [36] [37] Ayers played two more games, but missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. [38] He finished the season with two sacks, 31 tackles, and two forced fumbles. [39]

On March 17, 2018, Ayers was released by the Buccaneers. [40]

Detroit Lions

On August 27, 2018, Ayers signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, [41] but was released the next day. [42]

Retirement

After sitting out the entire 2018 season, Ayers announced his retirement on July 16, 2019. [43]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGPCOMBTOTALASTSACKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNGTDPD
2009 DEN 15191440.00254000002
2010 DEN 11393271.5100000001
2011 DEN 163925163.0110000002
2012 DEN 1516882.0000000002
2013 DEN 15292675.5100000000
2014 NYG 12221845.0100000001
2015 NYG 124131109.0200000004
2016 TB 12292186.5100000001
2017 TB 123120112.0200000000
Career 1202651957534.593540000013

Key

  • GP: games played
  • COMB: combined tackles
  • TOTAL: total tackles
  • AST: assisted tackles
  • SACK: sacks
  • FF: forced fumbles
  • FR: fumble recoveries
  • FR YDS: fumble return yards
  • INT: interceptions
  • IR YDS: interception return yards
  • AVG IR: average interception return
  • LNG: longest interception return
  • TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
  • PD: passes defensed

Coaching career

Ayers joined the University of Tennessee coaching staff as a defensive graduate assistant before the 2023 season. [44]

Related Research Articles

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

Jamael Orondé "Ronde" Barber is an American former professional football cornerback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Barber grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, earning third-team All-American honors twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lynch (American football)</span> American football player and executive (born 1971)

John Terrence Lynch Jr. is an American professional football executive and former safety who is the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1993 NFL draft, later winning Super Bowl XXXVII with them. Lynch also spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos before retiring in 2008 and working as a color commentator for NFL on Fox games until being named general manager of the 49ers in 2017. He made nine Pro Bowls during his career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aqib Talib</span> American football player (born 1986)

Aqib Talib is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Kansas, where he received consensus All-American honors, and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Talib also played for the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Rams, winning Super Bowl 50 with Denver. In 2020, he made his debut as an analyst for NFL on Fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Barron</span> American football player (born 1989)

Mark Barron is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was twice recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was selected as a strong safety by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, where he played for two and a half seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Rams in 2014, where he moved to the linebacker position. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Pierre-Paul</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jason Andrew Pierre-Paul is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. With the Giants, Pierre-Paul made two Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro and won Super Bowl XLVI. With the Buccaneers, Pierre-Paul made his third Pro Bowl and won Super Bowl LV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve McLendon</span> American football player (born 1986)

Stephen Craine McLendon is a former American football nose tackle. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Troy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lavonte David</span> American football player (born 1990)

Lavonte Lamar David is an American professional football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, twice earning All-American honors, and was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Since entering the NFL, David has been named to three All-Pro teams, one Pro Bowl and won Super Bowl LV during the 2020 season, in a 31–9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Ryan</span> American football player (born 1991)

Logan Daniel Ryan is an American former professional football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played college football at Rutgers as a cornerback and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Ryan also played for the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. He played cornerback for the first seven seasons of his career before switching to safety in 2020 and playing the position in his last four seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vernon Hargreaves</span> American football player (born 1995)

Vernon Hargreaves III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected 11th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2016 NFL draft.

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

Randy Gregory is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwon Alexander</span> American football player (born 1994)

Kwon Alexander is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Alexander has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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

Shaquil Akeem Barrett is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlton Davis</span> American football player (born 1996)

Carlton Davis III is an American professional football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vita Vea</span> American football player (born 1995)

Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea, otherwise known as Vita Vea, is an American professional football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Vea won Super Bowl LV with the team over the Kansas City Chiefs, and was selected to the Pro Bowl the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Whitehead</span> American football player (born 1997)

Jordan Tyler Whitehead is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin White</span> American football player (born 1998)

Devin Marcel White is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth overall in the 2019 NFL draft. He spent five seasons with the Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl championship with the team in Super Bowl LV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charvarius Ward</span> American football player (born 1996)

Charvarius "Mooney" Ward is an American professional football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Murphy-Bunting</span> American football player (born 1997)

Sean Murphy-Bunting is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Edwards (safety)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Mike Edwards is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky, and was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay in 2020 and Super Bowl LVIII with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Winfield Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Antoine Duane Winfield Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Golphers, earning unanimous All-American honors. Winfield was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Giants Ayers, Casillas have Jersey City hometown bond". USA TODAY. Associated Press. August 4, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  2. ↑ Villanova, Patrick (January 28, 2014). "Super Bowl 2014: Jersey City's Robert Ayers relishes chance to return to former grammar school". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ Haggard, Mark (January 20, 2014). "Former Marlboro County Bulldog bound for Super Bowl". WPDE. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  4. ↑ "2003 Shrine Bowl team by position". Spartanburg Herald Journal. October 21, 2003. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Robert Ayers - Football". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Robert Ayers College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2008 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2008 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Robert Ayers Draft Profile". NFL.com. March 25, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ Nawrocki, Nolan (April 21, 2009). "The Way We Hear It — draft edition". Pro Football Weeklywebsite. Retrieved April 25, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Ayers signs 5-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 12th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - January 8th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ "AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 19th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  21. ↑ Kurtzman, Rich (February 4, 2014). "Before Super Bowl Disaster Struck, Broncos Had One Remarkable Season In 2013". CBS - Chicago. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – February 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  23. ↑ Patra, Kevin (April 2, 2014). "Robert Ayers signs contract with New York Giants". NFL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  24. ↑ Valentine, Ed (December 1, 2014). "Report: Torn pec will end Robert Ayers' season". Big Blue View. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ "2015 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  28. ↑ Knoblauch, Austin (March 11, 2016). "Robert Ayers agrees to 3-year, $21M deal with Bucs". NFL.com. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  29. ↑ Kania, Joe (September 11, 2016). "Bucs Defeat Falcons, 31–24, in Week 1". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  30. ↑ Laine, Jenna (September 18, 2016). "Bucs' Martin leaves game with hamstring injury". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  31. ↑ Auman, Greg (November 4, 2016). "Bucs lose RB Antone Smith, DE Howard Jones for season with injuries". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  32. ↑ Kania, Joe (November 13, 2016). "5 Standouts from Bucs vs. Bears". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  34. ↑ Philipse, Sander (October 23, 2017). "Four winners, four losers for the Buccaneers against the Bills". Bucs Nation. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  35. ↑ "5 Key Takeaways from Bucs vs. Saints". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  36. ↑ Phillipse, Sander (November 22, 2017). "Robert Ayers, Evan Smith miss Buccaneers practice with concussions". Bucs Nation. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  37. ↑ Phillipse, Sander (December 8, 2017). "Robert Ayers and Doug Martin cleared from concussion protocol". Bucs Nation. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  38. ↑ Vitali, Carmen (January 30, 2018). "2017 Player Recap: Robert Ayers Jr". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Retrieved March 18, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  39. ↑ "Robert Ayers 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  40. ↑ Vitali, Carmen (March 17, 2018). "Bucs Release Robert Ayers Jr". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Lions sign free agent DE Robert Ayers and waive CB Josh Okonye". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  42. ↑ Alper, Josh (August 28, 2018). "Lions release Robert Ayers a day after signing him". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  43. ↑ Alper, Josh (July 16, 2019). "Robert Ayers calls it a career". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Robert Ayers Jr. - Defensive Graduate Assistant - Staff Directory". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
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.