Robert Ayers
{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Robert Ayers
| image = Robert Ayers.JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Ayers with the Denver Broncos in 2009
| current_team =
| number = 56, 91
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|09|06|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 275
| high_school = Bennettsville (SC) Marlboro
| college = Tennessee (2004–2008)
| draftyear = 2009
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 18
| pastteams =
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2013}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 265
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 34.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 9
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 3
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 12
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = A/AyerRo99
}}
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.
Early life
Ayers was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Giants Ayers, Casillas have Jersey City hometown bond |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/08/04/giants-ayers-casillas-have-jersey-city-hometown-bond/31134217/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=USA TODAY|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}} He spent part of his freshman year at Hoboken High School in 1999–2000 before moving to Clio, South Carolina,{{Cite web |last=Villanova |first=Patrick |date=January 28, 2014 |title=Super Bowl 2014: Jersey City's Robert Ayers relishes chance to return to former grammar school |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/01/super_bowl_2014_jersey_citys_robert_ayers_is_touched_by_return_to_former_grammar_school.html#incart_river_default |access-date=January 28, 2014 |publisher=The Jersey Journal}} where he attended Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville.{{Cite web |last=Haggard |first=Mark |date=January 20, 2014 |title=Former Marlboro County Bulldog bound for Super Bowl |url=https://wpde.com/sports/national-football-league-news/former-marlboro-county-bulldog-bound-for-super-bowl |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=WPDE |language=en}} He was an All-State linebacker and was selected to play in the 2003 Shrine Bowl as a senior.{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2003 |title=2003 Shrine Bowl team by position |url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2003/10/21/2003-shrine-bowl-team-by-position/29688308007/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Spartanburg Herald Journal |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers - Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/robert-ayers/14096 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-ayers-1.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-ayers-1/gamelog/2008 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2008 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2008.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3+1/8
| weight = 272
| dash = 4.78
| ten split = 1.62
| twenty split = 2.78
| shuttle = 4.46
| cone drill = 7.07
| vertical = 29+1/2
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 6
| bench = 18
| wonderlic = 29
| arm span =
| hand span =
| note = 20-ss and 3-cone from Tennessee Pro Day, all others from NFL Combine{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2009 |title=Robert Ayers Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/robert-ayers?id=71193 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Nawrocki |first=Nolan |date=April 21, 2009 |title=The Way We Hear It — draft edition |url=http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/wwhi042109.htm |access-date=April 25, 2009 |website=Pro Football Weeklywebsite}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
}}
=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.{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/draft.htm |access-date=December 3, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2009 |title=Ayers signs 5-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4374896 |access-date=January 6, 2014 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} In his rookie season, he recorded 19 tackles and no sacks.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He recorded his first professional sack in week 1 of the 2010 season against David Garrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 12th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201009120jax.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=December 3, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Ayers finished the 2011 season with three sacks, 39 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He had two sacks against the Steelers in the Wild Card Round victory.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - January 8th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201080den.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 2013 season, Ayers had 5.5 sacks, 29 total tackles, and one forced fumble in 15 games and three starts.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the AFC Championship, he had one sack in the 26–16 win over the Patriots.{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 19th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190den.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, but fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 43–8.{{Cite web |last=Kurtzman |first=Rich |date=February 4, 2014 |title=Before Super Bowl Disaster Struck, Broncos Had One Remarkable Season In 2013 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/before-super-bowl-disaster-struck-broncos-had-one-remarkable-season-in-2013/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=CBS - Chicago |language=en-US}} Ayers recorded one tackle in the game.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – February 2nd, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201402020den.htm |access-date=December 3, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Giants=
Ayers signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the New York Giants on April 2, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=April 2, 2014 |title=Robert Ayers signs contract with New York Giants |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/robert-ayers-signs-contract-with-new-york-giants-0ap2000000338909 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} He was placed on season ending injured reserve on December 2, 2014, after suffering a torn pectoral muscle.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Ed |date=December 1, 2014 |title=Report: Torn pec will end Robert Ayers' season |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2014/12/1/7313861/robert-ayers-injury-torn-pectoral-to-end-his-season-per-report |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Big Blue View |language=en}} In the 2014 season, he had five sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble in 12 games and one start.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2015 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2015.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
On March 12, 2016, Ayers agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |last=Knoblauch |first=Austin |date=March 11, 2016 |title=Robert Ayers agrees to 3-year, $21M deal with Bucs |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/robert-ayers-agrees-to-3-year-21m-deal-with-bucs-0ap3000000643808 |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=NFL.com}} On September 11, Ayers recorded a sack in his Buccaneers debut, bringing down Matt Ryan in a 31–24 win over the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite news |last=Kania |first=Joe |date=September 11, 2016 |title=Bucs Defeat Falcons, 31–24, in Week 1 |work=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Defeat-Falcons-31-24-in-Week-1/c3c711a8-7644-4df6-a339-7907778d70d6 |access-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120752/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Defeat-Falcons-31-24-in-Week-1/c3c711a8-7644-4df6-a339-7907778d70d6 |url-status=dead }} Ayers was sidelined for five weeks due to an ankle injury.{{Cite news |last=Laine |first=Jenna |date=September 18, 2016 |title=Bucs' Martin leaves game with hamstring injury |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17582071/doug-martin-robert-ayers-four-bucs-injuries |access-date=March 18, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Auman |first=Greg |date=November 4, 2016 |title=Bucs lose RB Antone Smith, DE Howard Jones for season with injuries |work=Tampa Bay Times |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/bucs-lose-rb-jones-de-jones-for-season-with-injuries/2301515/ |access-date=March 18, 2018}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Kania |first=Joe |date=November 13, 2016 |title=5 Standouts from Bucs vs. Bears |work=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/5-Standouts-from-Bucs-vs-Bears/4af09b9c-60f9-4816-84e1-2babe49efc93 |access-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318182620/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/5-Standouts-from-Bucs-vs-Bears/4af09b9c-60f9-4816-84e1-2babe49efc93 |url-status=dead }} Ayers wrapped up his first year as a Buccaneer with 6.5 sacks, 29 tackles, and a forced fumble.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
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.{{Cite news |last=Philipse |first=Sander |date=October 23, 2017 |title=Four winners, four losers for the Buccaneers against the Bills |work=Bucs Nation |url=https://www.bucsnation.com/2017/10/23/16524666/four-winners-four-losers-for-the-buccaneers-against-the-bills |access-date=March 18, 2018}} On November 5, Ayers recorded a strip-sack against the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite news |date=November 6, 2017 |title=5 Key Takeaways from Bucs vs. Saints |work=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/5-Key-Takeaways-from-Bucs-vs-Saints/feaf68a6-df37-4f5a-8e50-fb6df84cb95e |access-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317191054/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/5-Key-Takeaways-from-Bucs-vs-Saints/feaf68a6-df37-4f5a-8e50-fb6df84cb95e |url-status=dead }} He missed Week 12 & 13 due to a concussion.{{Cite news |last=Phillipse |first=Sander |date=November 22, 2017 |title=Robert Ayers, Evan Smith miss Buccaneers practice with concussions |work=Bucs Nation |url=https://www.bucsnation.com/2017/11/22/16693186/robert-ayers-evan-smith-miss-buccaneers-practice-with-concussions |access-date=March 18, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Phillipse |first=Sander |date=December 8, 2017 |title=Robert Ayers and Doug Martin cleared from concussion protocol |work=Bucs Nation |url=https://www.bucsnation.com/2017/12/8/16750640/robert-ayers-and-doug-martin-cleared-from-concussion-protocol |access-date=March 18, 2018}} Ayers played two more games, but missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.{{Cite news |last=Vitali |first=Carmen |date=January 30, 2018 |title=2017 Player Recap: Robert Ayers Jr. |work=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/2017-Player-Recap-Robert-Ayers-Jr/626681f3-25cb-40c3-ab74-700c33e4991a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210165910/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/2017-Player-Recap-Robert-Ayers-Jr/626681f3-25cb-40c3-ab74-700c33e4991a |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2018 |access-date=March 18, 2018 }} He finished the season with two sacks, 31 tackles, and two forced fumbles.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On March 17, 2018, Ayers was released by the Buccaneers.{{Cite news |last=Vitali |first=Carmen |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Bucs Release Robert Ayers Jr. |work=Buccaneers.com |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Release-Robert-Ayers-Jr/93efbc6b-c290-43c4-8671-5ff4234a87d2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318050130/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Release-Robert-Ayers-Jr/93efbc6b-c290-43c4-8671-5ff4234a87d2 |archive-date=March 18, 2018}}
=Detroit Lions=
On August 27, 2018, Ayers signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions,{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2018 |title=Lions sign free agent DE Robert Ayers and waive CB Josh Okonye |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-free-agent-de-robert-ayers-and-waive-cb-josh-okonye |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=DetroitLions.com}} but was released the next day.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=August 28, 2018 |title=Lions release Robert Ayers a day after signing him |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lions-release-robert-ayers-a-day-after-signing-him |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=Retirement=
After sitting out the entire 2018 season, Ayers announced his retirement on July 16, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Robert Ayers calls it a career |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/robert-ayers-calls-it-a-career |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 || DEN
| 15 || 19 || 14 ||4|| 0.0 || 0 || 2 || 54 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||0|| 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 || DEN
| 11 || 39 || 32 || 7 || 1.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2011 || DEN
| 16 || 39 || 25 ||16|| 3.0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 || DEN
| 15 || 16 || 8 || 8 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 || DEN
| 15 || 29 ||26||7|| 5.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 || NYG
| 12 || 22 || 18 || 4 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015 || NYG
| 12 || 41 || 31 || 10 ||9.0|| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 || TB
| 12 || 29 || 21 || 8 || 6.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 || TB
| 12 || 31 || 20 || 11 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AyerRo99.htm Career] || 120 || 265 || 195 || 75 || 34.5 || 9 || 3 || 54 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 13 |
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.{{Cite web |title=Robert Ayers Jr. - Defensive Graduate Assistant - Staff Directory |url=https://utsports.com/staff-directory/robert-ayers-jr-/5381 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=A/AyerRo99}}
- [https://utsports.com/staff-directory/robert-ayers-jr-/5381 Tennessee Volunteers coaching bio]
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/robert-ayers/14096 Tennessee Volunteers player bio]
{{2009 NFL Draft}}
{{BroncosFirstPick}}
{{Broncos2009DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayers, Robert}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football outside linebackers
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Hoboken High School alumni
Category:New York Giants players
Category:People from Clio, South Carolina
Category:Players of American football from Jersey City, New Jersey
Category:Players of American football from South Carolina
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players