Eric Alexander (American football)

Alexander attended Stephen F. Austin High in Port Acres, Texas, where he played football as a running back and safety while also participating in baseball and track and field. He was twice named a member of The Port Arthur News Super Team and was an honorable All-State mention before graduating in 2000.

Alexander attended Louisiana State University beginning in 2000. In his first three seasons with the team he was a backup safety and special teams contributor. Alexander moved to linebacker before his senior season in 2003 and recorded 65 tackles and five sacks in LSU's BCS Championship season.

Alexander was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2004 NFL draft. He was waived by the Patriots on September 5, 2004, and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the 53-man roster on December 20, 2004, but was placed on injured reserve during the playoffs on January 13, 2005. Alexander was again released during final cuts in 2005 and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, September 4, 2005. He was elevated to the 53-man roster for the team's Week 5 game against the Atlanta Falcons, waived after the game, and re-signed to the practice squad, where he spent the rest of the season.

After the 2005 season, Alexander was re-signed by the Patriots, and in 2006, Alexander made the Patriots' opening day roster for the first time in his career. He appeared in 14 games in 2006, a career high, and in the AFC Championship, Alexander made the first start of his NFL career in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, leading the team with 10 solo tackles at inside linebacker. Alexander again made the opening day roster in 2007, appearing in 12 games and leading the team in special teams tackles in two games. However, Alexander was inactive for all but one game in 2008 before being placed on injured reserve on November 22. He was re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Patriots following the 2008 season. He was released on October 20, 2009, and re-signed the next day to a different contract. He signed a one-year extension on November 23, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4670946/extension-for-eric-alexander|title=Extension for Eric Alexander|work=ESPNBoston.com|first=Mike|last=Reiss|date=2009-11-23|access-date=2009-11-23}} He played in 14 games in 2009, recording 12 tackles on special teams. He was released on September 4, 2010, during final cuts.

Alexander was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 27, 2010. He was waived on November 2, 2010.

The Cleveland Browns signed Alexander on November 23, 2010. He was waived on July 28, 2011.{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|title=Release Tracker|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/28/release-tracker/|work=Pro Football Talk|date=28 July 2011 |access-date=29 July 2011}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081218115011/http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=30707 New England Patriots bio]
• [http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=175065&Q_SEASON=2000 LSU Tigers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020065611/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=175065&Q_SEASON=2000 |date=2012-10-20 }}

{{2003 LSU Tigers football navbox}}

{{Super Bowl XXXIX}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Eric}}

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Tyler, Texas

Category:American football linebackers

Category:LSU Tigers football players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players

Category:Cleveland Browns players

Category:Players of American football from Port Arthur, Texas