No. 38 | |
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Position: | Cornerback Safety |
Personal information | |
Born: | Xenia, Ohio, U.S. | February 18, 1958
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Weight: | 191 lb (87 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Greeneview (Jamestown, Ohio) |
College: | Tennessee |
NFL draft: | 1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14 |
Career history | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Roland Orlando James (born February 18, 1958) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 11 year career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) during the 1980s and early 1990s. James played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, earning All-American honors. He was selected in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft. [1]
James attended the University of Tennessee, and played for the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1976 to 1979. As of 2011, James has the fourth longest punt return in the history of the University of Tennessee, an 89-yard return against Vanderbilt in 1979. While at Tennessee, Roland played in three bowl games: the Hula, Senior and Bluebonnet bowls.
James had the longest punt return in the NFL during the 1980 season. He returned a punt 75 yards for a TD in the Patriots 34–21 win over the New York Jets at Schaefer Stadium on November 2. [2] James recorded five sacks in 1981. [3]
He intercepted a pass by David Woodley on the last play of the Patriots 3–0 "Snow Plow" victory over the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 1982.
James intercepted three passes by Joe Ferguson in the third quarter of the Patriots 31–0 shutout of the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium on 10–23–83, becoming the first player in club history to record three interceptions in the same quarter.
He tackled Frank Middleton for a safety in the Patriots 50–17 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on November 18, 1984. [4]
James recovered 10 fumbles during the regular season and recovered a fumble by Freeman McNeil in the Patriots 26–14 AFC Wild Card Round win over the New York Jets on December 28, 1985. [5] [6]
He had 29 interceptions and 42 punt returns in 145 regular season games for the New England Patriots. [7]
James played in five playoff games for the New England Patriots. [8]
James went on to coach the Sharon High School football team in Sharon, Massachusetts. His son, Roland James Jr., played for Hofstra. His son, Roman, played free safety at Baylor University. [9] He currently resides in Sharon, Massachusetts and is working as the Director of Youth Services at the Somerville Community Youth Program in Somerville, Massachusetts, and is active in other charitable work. [10]
Lawyer Marzell Milloy is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He played college football for the Washington Huskies, and earned unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft, and also played for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time All-Pro, and a member of the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI championship team that beat his hometown team, the St. Louis Rams.
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.
Eugene W. Wilson, II is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
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The 1976 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League and 17th overall.
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Devin McCourty is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Missing only five games during his Patriots career, McCourty received two Pro Bowl selections and was also a member of three Super Bowl-winning teams. McCourty also has the most postseason starts for a defensive player. His twin brother, Jason McCourty, also played in the NFL. Since leaving the NFL in 2022, he has served as a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.
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