Rocky Boiman

Last updated
Rocky Boiman
No. 50
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1980-01-24) January 24, 1980 (age 43)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:236 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)
College: Notre Dame (1998–2001)
NFL Draft: 2002  / Round: 4 / Pick: 133
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:267
Sacks:1.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:5
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Rocky Michael Boiman (born January 24, 1980) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He currently works as a football color commentator for ESPN College Football.

Contents

Early years

Boiman attended St. Xavier High School in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. [1] He was named All-league as a sophomore and junior defensive back.

As a senior free safety in 1997, he tallied 164 tackles and 6 interceptions. He received All-League, All-State, Southwest Ohio Player of the Year, Greater Cincinnati League Player of the Year and All-City Player of the Year honors.

Boiman finished his high school career with 330 tackles, 11 interceptions and 15 passes defensed. He set school records for longest kickoff (95 yards) and most kickoff return yards.

He also participated in track and baseball, where he was named All-city twice.

College career

Boiman accepted a football scholarship from the University of Notre Dame to play defensive back under head coach Bob Davie. As a sophomore, he was converted into an outside linebacker and had 39 tackles playing a backup role.

As a junior, he was named a starter at outside linebacker after Joe Ferrer left the school. He collected 58 tackles (8 for loss), 3.5 sacks and was also used as a pass rushing defensive end in some situations. [2] He was a fan favorite for his intensity and tackling ability.

As a senior, he was a team co-captain and started 7 games, posting 42 tackles (11 for loss), 4 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. He had 12 tackles against Oregon State University and 11 against Texas A&M University. He finished his college career with 21 starts out of 43 games, 144 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one pass defensed, 5 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles.

Professional career

Tennessee Titans (first stint)

Boiman was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. [3] As a rookie, he played mainly on special teams, setting a franchise record with 28 tackles.

In 2003, he had his most productive season, when he played in all 16 games (starting 2), making 55 tackles (4 for loss), 18 assists, 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 16 special teams tackles, 1.5 sacks and one safety. He replaced an injured Peter Sirmon in the first quarter at outside linebacker against the Pittsburgh Steelers, collecting 8 tackles, a safety and a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, while earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. [4]

In 2004, he entered the season as the starter at left outside linebacker after Sirmon suffered a season ending knee injury. He played in 7 games with 6 starts, but was limited with a left knee and a right quad injury, before being declared out of the season with a hamstring injury on December 5. He made 24 tackles (one for loss) and one pass defensed.

In 2005, he appeared in 16 games with 2 starts at left outside linebacker. He registered 28 defensive tackles and 15 special teams tackles (tied for third on the team).

Dallas Cowboys

On March 20, 2006, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, to improve the depth at linebacker and on special teams. [5] During training camp he suffered a compound fracture of his right thumb, but only missed 10 days. On September 2, he was a surprise cut after receiving a $1,000,000 signing bonus. [6]

Indianapolis Colts

On September 4, 2006, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts to play on special teams. [7] He played in every game, totaling 21 tackles (16 solo) and one interception. In the postseason, he earned a Super Bowl ring as the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI held on February 4, 2007.

On April 17, 2007, Boiman signed a one-year contract with the Colts. He appeared in 16 games (7 starts), totaling 55 tackles (34 solo), 2 interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Philadelphia Eagles

On March 24, 2008, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. On August 31, he was cut after being passed on the depth chart by Tank Daniels.

Kansas City Chiefs

On October 15, 2008, Boiman was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. [8] He played in 11 games (9 starts), making 68 tackles (51 solo).

Tennessee Titans (second stint)

On August 11, 2009, he was signed by the Tennessee Titans as a free agent. He was cut on September 5. [9]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On November 24, 2009, Boiman was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to help improve the kickoff coverage unit. He played in six games and totaled four assists and no tackles.

Detroit Lions

On August 30, 2010, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions, reuniting with Jim Schwartz who was his defensive coordinator with the Titans. On September 5, he was released to make room for linebacker Spencer Havner. [10]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGamesCombined TacklesTacklesAssisted TacklesSacksForce FumblesFumble RecoveriesFumble Return YardsInterceptionsInterception Return YardsYards per Interception ReturnLongest Interception ReturnInterceptions Returned for TouchdownPasses Defended
2002 TEN 16131120.0100000000
2003 TEN 164528171.5000270356012
2004 TEN 7198110.0000000001
2005 TEN 152817110.0000000000
2006 IND 16211650.0100100002
2007 IND 165534210.0010228142604
2008 KC 117356170.0100000003
2009 PIT 63030.0000000000
Career103257170871.53105982060112

[11]

Personal life

Boiman works for Westwood One as a color analyst for college football games and as a sideline reporter for NFL games and co-hosting the 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. show with Eddie Fingers on WLW-AM in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also works as a color analyst for ESPN and BBC television and radio. [12] [13]

In the summer of 2011 it was announced that he would be an analyst for the Sky Sports network in the United Kingdom. He was joined by Nick Ferguson and two other English analysts. [14]

In the fall of 2011, he was appointed a trustee of Green Township, located on the west side of Cincinnati in Hamilton County, replacing a member who had stepped down to take another position in Hamilton County. [15]

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References

  1. "Varsity Football". St. Xavier High School. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  2. "Notre Dame football preview" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  4. "Cowher wants more of the good Maddox, less of the bad" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  5. "Cowboys beef up LB corps, add Boiman" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  6. "16-game rookie starter Petitti, Boiman cut by Cowboys" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  7. "Colts add defensive depth with Boiman, Schobel" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  8. "Kansas City signs veteran linebacker" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  9. "Titans: Cutdown analysis" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  10. "Lions cut WR Dennis Northcutt and LB Rocky Boiman" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  11. "Rocky Boiman Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  12. "Rocky Boiman College Football Analyst" . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  13. "Boiman and Ferguson earn U.K. studio analyst posts". NFL.com . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  14. National Football League (June 23, 2011). "Boiman and Ferguson earn U.K. studio analyst posts". National Football League . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  15. "Boiman to step down as Green Twp. trustee". Cincinnati.com. January 28, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2020.