Lorenzo Alexander

At 40 years old, Lorenzo Alexander has this physical status:

Lorenzo John Alexander (born May 31, 1983) is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the University of California, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2005. Alexander has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, and Oakland Raiders.

Early years

Alexander went to Saint Mary's College High School, where he played as a defensive lineman for the Panthers football team. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30, 2000. Alexander went to the University of California, Berkeley.

Personal life

Alexander was raised by his mother and his maternal uncle. He is married and has two daughters and two sons. He has a family history of diabetes and thus is a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association.

When he joined the Redskins in 2006, Alexander gained the nickname "One Man Gang", due to the versatility of football positions he can play: offensive guard, tight end, linebacker, fullback, defensive tackle, defensive end, and special teams.

Alexander co-owns and runs a Pilates studio in Ashburn, Virginia, called The Studio M.B.S. (Mind, Body, Soul), with former Redskins teammate Kedric Golston.

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College career

Alexander played in all 11 games as a freshman during the 2001 season. He had 24 tackles, one man was suspended, and one was lost, with one being a fumble recovery. He had 25 tackles, one sack, and one fumbled out as a sophomore. He received the Bob Tessier Award for the team's most improved defensive lineman. He was named a team captain as a youth. He made 33 tackles and was named the team's Most Valuable Defense Lineman on the team's Brick Muller Award. In 2004, he spent one more season for the Golden Bears.

Professional career

The Carolina Panthers signed Alexander to a three-year, $940,000 contract as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2005.

Alexander competed for a roster spot against Atiyyah Ellison, Kris Jenkins, Charles Hill, and Eddie Freeman as a back-up defensive tackle during training camp. Alexander was drafted by the Carolina Panthers as part of their final roster cuts on September 3, 2005, but the Carolina Panthers signed him to their practice squad two days later.

During preparation camp, Alexander competed against Jovan Haye, Atiyyah Ellison, and Kris Jenkins. The Carolina Panthers officially dropped Alexander as part of their final roster cuts on September 3, 2006.

Alexander was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad on September 7, 2006, but the team was released just five days later.

Alexander was signed by the Washington Redskins' practice squad on October 3, 2006. He spent the entire 2006 NFL season on the Redskins' practice squad, defensive line, and even extended to playing tight end.

Alexander was signed by the Washington Redskins to a three-year, $1.11 million contract on January 12, 2007. Alexander was the fifth defensive tackle on the Redskins' depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Cornelius Griffin, Kedric Golston, Anthony Montgomery, and Ryan Boschetti. During a 34-3 victory over the Detroit Lions on October 7, 2007, Alexander made his pro regular season debut and made one tackle. In Week 8, he had two combined tackles as the Redskins defeated the New England Patriots 52-7. During a 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 11, 2007, Alexander got off to a rocky start in his career as a tight end. He finished his rookie season in 2007 with four combined tackles (two solo) in 13 games and one start, and he primarily played on special teams and as a backup defensive tackle.

The 2007 Washington Redskins finished third in the NFC East with a 9-7 record and earned a wildcard spot. In the NFC Wild Card Round, Alexander appeared in his first playoff game as the Redskins defeated the Seattle Seahawks 35-14. Joe Gibbs, the head coach of the United Kingdom, revealed his resignation on January 8, 2008, citing family responsibilities.

Alexander competed for a roster spot against Matthias Askew, Ryan Boschetti, and Jonathan Mapu throughout training camp. Alexander is the fourth backup defensive tackle on the depth chart to start the season, behind Cornelius Griffin, Anthony Montgomery, and Kedric Golston. Alexander had his first solo tackles and was fired after a 20-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on November 23, 2008. During the fourth quarter, Alexander fired Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for a seven-yard loss. Alexander made one tackle before leaving the Redskins' 10-3 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles due to a hamstring injury. Alexander was officially placed on injured reserve after tearing his hamstring in December 25, 2008. He had 17 combined tackles (1711 solo), two pass deflections, and two sacks in 15 games and zero starts on the season.

Alexander came to training camp in 2009 as a reserve defensive tackle and saw action against Antonio Dixon, Kedric Golston, Vaka Manupuna, and Anthony Montgomery. Alexander was named as a backup defensive tackle and backup defensive end by head coach Jim Zorn to begin the regular season. During the Redskins' 34-13 victory over the Oakland Raiders on December 13, 2009, Alexander recorded a season-high three solo tackles as well as a sack. Alexander finished the 2009 NFL season with 23 total tackles (18 solo), two sacks, one pass deflection, and one forcible fumble in 16 games and zero starts.

After the Redskins finished with a 4-12 record in 2009, they announced their decision to fire head coach Jim Zorn on January 4, 2010. Alexander will change to outside linebacker on February 27, 2010. Jim Haslett, the offensive coordinator, was sent to a base 3-4 defense. Alexander was signed by the Washington Redskins to a three-year, $3.15 million deal on March 5, 2010.

Alexander competed against Andre Carter to be the starting right outside the linebacker during training camp. Alexander is the backup outside linebacker, behind starters Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, to begin the regular season, according to head coach Mike Shanahan.

Alexander made his first defense appearance on defense and was named the starting right outside linebacker by head coach Mike Shanahan on October 3, 2010. During the 17-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, he had four solo tackles. During the game, Alexander delivered a blow to Philadelphia Eagles kickoff returner Jorrick Calvin, sparking head coach Mike Shanahan to call it "one of the best hits I've seen since I've been in the NFL." Alexander was named the special teams captain on November 12, 2010. During a 33-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Alexander recorded a season-high five solo tackles on Week 15. He had 57 total tackles (1631 solo), two pass deflections, two quarterback fumbles, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks in 16 games and 12 starts on the season.

Alexander did not return to play in the 2011 NFL Draft after the Redskins drafted Ryan Kerrigan 16th overall. Alexander is the backup outside linebacker for the regular season, behind Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo. Alexander continued to be the captain of special teams during the 2011 season.

During a 23-10 victory over the New York Giants, he had a season-high four combined tackles. Alexander was selected as an alternate to the 2012 Pro Bowl on December 28, 2011. He had 15 combined tackles (nine solo) in 16 games and zero starts this season. Alexander primarily played on special teams and led the special teams unit, which featured 21 tackles on punt and kickoff coverage. Alexander was selected as the Redskins' nominee for the second year in a row on January 5, 2012. He was also named the Redskins' 2011 Special Teams Player of the Year.

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan announced on April 17, 2012 that Alexander was switched from an outside linebacker to an inside linebacker to provide more depth behind starting inside linebackers, London Fletcher, and Perry Riley.

During a 31-28 loss to the St. Louis Rams on September 21, 2012, he was fined $15,750 by the NFL for making a horse collar tackle on wide receiver Danny Amendola. Alexander made five combined tackles and made a season-high 1.5 sacks during a 38-26 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on October 14, 2012. Alexander got 1.5 sacks on Christian Ponder and also recovered a fumble by Ponder that resulted in a touchdown on the following drive. During a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, Alexander had a season-high seven combined tackles and one sack. Alexander was selected to play in the 2013 Pro Bowl as a special teams player, according to the team's announcement on December 27, 2012. He had 46 combined tackles (34 solo) and 2.5 sacks in 16 games and zero starts on the season.

Alexander was an unrestricted free agent after the 2012 NFL season and was given a contract to stay with the Redskins. Alexander said that the original contract was a three-year, $7.5 million deal with a $2.6 million guarantee. After the contract commitment was changed to $1.4 million promised the next day without an explanation, he said he turned down the bid. "The remark is not true," a Washington Redskins spokeswoman said, "the statement is not correct." His departure from the team was deemed a casualty of the team's $36 million salary cap penalty during the 2012 offseason. "But I know, in my heart of hearts, if it wasn't for the cap," Alexander said.

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to a three-year, $9.5 million contract with a three-year deal. Alexander was named as the starting weakside linebacker in training camp. Alexander and Sam Acho were the starting linebackers for the regular season, according to head coach Bruce Arians. They were first introduced by linebackers Karlos Dansby and Jasper Brinkley.

During a 27-24 loss, he started with four combined tackles and a pass deflection. Alexander left early in Week 3 after suffering a right foot injury in the first quarter of the Cardinals' 31-7 loss at the New Orleans Saints. After finding Alexander fractured the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot, the Arizona Cardinals officially placed him on injured reserve on September 23, 2013.

After the departure of Karlos Dansby, the Arizona Cardinals' head coach announced his decision on April 3, 2014, moving Alexander from outside linebacker to inside linebacker to provide depth. Alexander the backup inside linebacker, behind Larry Foote and Kevin Minter, was selected by head coach Bruce Arians to begin the regular season. During a 29-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded three solo tackles and made one sack. He had 13 combined tackles (11 solo) and one sack in 16 games and zero starts on the season.

Alexander was selected as a back-up linebacker in training camp and qualified for a roster spot against Kareem Martin and Markus Golden. The Arizona Cardinals cut Alexander on August 31, 2015 as part of their final roster cuts.

Alexander was signed by the Oakland Browns on a one-year, $870,000 contract on September 2, 2015. Alexander, the backup strongside linebacker, was named by head coach Jack Del Rio after Ray Armstrong's death, was the backup strongside linebacker for the regular season. During a 23-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he had a season-high six combined tackles in Week 17. He played in 16 games and zero starts last season, finishing the season with 13 combined tackles (11 solo) in 16 games and zero starts.

Alexander was signed by the Buffalo Bills to a one-year, $885,000 free agent deal with a $75,000 guarantee on April 12, 2016. He had his first three sack appearance against the Los Angeles Rams on October 9, 2016. Alexander finished with five solo tackles, two tackles for-a-loss, and a sack during a week five matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Alexander had a seven-game sack streak to start the season, and his nine sacks in the first seven games represented his career sack totality over the past decade. For October, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month. Alexander had his first interception attempt in his career, and he returned for 28 yards on December 11, when he lost by 27-20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished third in the league with a career-high 12.5 sacks and a career-high 76 combined tackles, as well as six passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and his first career interception.

Alexander was invited to the 2017 Pro Bowl roster at the outside linebacker position, his second Pro Bowl nomination. After defeating 20-13 in the AFC, Alexander was named Defensive MVP of the Pro Bowl. He was also ranked 91st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

Alexander signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Bills on March 11, 2017. He appeared in 16 games with 11 starts in 2017, totaling 73 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumbles, three blocked fumbles, and a pass deflection.

Alexander played in 16 games, finishing fourth on the team with 74 tackles, ninth passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two forced fumbles, leading to a career-high two interceptions.

Alexander signed a one-year contract extension with the Bills on January 16, 2019.

Alexander resigned after the Bills were disqualified from the 2019-20 playoffs, prompting Alexander's departure.

Alexander's career will include 467 tackles, 33 sacks, and 3 interceptions.

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