NFL Top Player -- Haloti Ngata

Haloti Ngata
#92 NT
Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-4   Weight: 340   Age: 30
Born: 1/21/1984 Inglewood , CA
College: Oregon
Experience: 9th season
High School: Highland HS [Salt Lake City, UT]

Etuini Haloti Ngata (IPA: [ˈŋata]; born January 21, 1984) is an American football nose tackle and defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oregon and earned All-American honors. The Baltimore Ravens chose him in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, and he has been selected for the Pro Bowl five times.

Early years

Ngata, of Tongan ancestry,was born in Inglewood, California. He attended Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and was a three-year starter on the defensive line. As a senior, he recorded over 200 tackles and led his team to the state quarterfinals, following a 12-2 record and a berth in the State Championship as a junior. Ngata was named the 2001 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year and a first-team USA Today All-USA selection.He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Ngata was listed as a five-star recruit and the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals.com.He chose Oregon over BYU, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Washington.

Ngata also played rugby in high school, and helped lead the Highland Rugby Club to the National Rugby Championship. He was red carded in the championship match.

Transactions

Haloti Ngata was selected by the Ravens in the first round (12th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft...Baltimore traded its 13th overall pick and a sixth-round selection (181st overall) to Cleveland for the 12th-overall pick.

Honors

• Four-time Pro Bowler (2009-12) and first alternate (2008)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9, 2010)
• Associated Press first-team All-Pro (2010-11)
• Associated Press second-team All-Pro (2008-09, 2012)
• Pro Football Writers/Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL (2009-11)
• Pro Football Weekly All-NFL (2010-11)
• PFW/PFWA All-Rookie team (2006)
• Sports Illustrated (Peter King) All-Pro Team (2010 and 2011)
• Sports Illustrated (Peter King) Midseason All-Pro Team (2010-11)
• Sports Illustrated Midseason Defensive Player of the Year (2010)
• Sporting News All-Pro Team (2010-11)
• USA Today’s All-Joe Team (players who are critical to their team, but don’t receive the Pro Bowl nod) in 2008

Career

• Has 444 tackles (270 solo), 22 sacks (-152 yards), 3 INTs, 21 PD, 4 FFs and 5 FRs (one returned for a TD)
• Scored his first-career TD on a 28-yard FR at STL (9/25/11)
• Anchored a defense that did not allow a 100-yard rusher in 39-consecutive games (12/17/06 – 10/4/09)
• Dating back to 2006 when Ngata entered the NFL, the Ravens have allowed 56 rushing TDs (second fewest in NFL) and the third-fewest rushing yards (91.3)

2013:In 2013, Ngata played mostly as a nose tackle making 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3 passes defended in 15 games played.

2012: (14/14, 4/4) Named to his fourth-consecutive Pro Bowl after posting 51 tackles (33 solo), 1 PD and finishing second on the team with 5 sacks (-50 yards)...Missed games 9 and 16 (coach’s decision to rest injuries)

 • Recorded 4 tackles and a sack (-15 yards) for a defense that held the Giants to 186 total yards and 20% (2-of-10) on third down in the 33-14 victory in game 15 vs. NYG (12/23)
• Was active but did not play (coach’s decision - shoulder) in the 55-20 victory in game 9 vs. Oak. (11/11)
• Played in his 100th-career game and led the D-line with 6 tackles and a sack (-7 yards) in the 31-29 victory in game 6 vs. Dal. (10/14)
• Recorded 4 tackles (2 solo), including 1.5 sacks (-14.5 yards), and a PD in the 44-13 victory in game 1 vs. Cin. (9/10)
• Totaled 13 tackles (10 solo) and 1 PD for a defense that forced 10 turnovers in four playoff games

2011: (16/16, 2/2) Earned his third-consecutive Pro Bowl nod after leading the D-line with 65 tackles for the NFL’s third ranked defense (288.9 ypg), which was also second against the run (92.6 ypg) and the league’s top red zone defense... Also produced 5 sacks, 5 PD, 2 FFs and 3 FRs

• Produced 4 solo tackles and a career-high-tying 2 sacks for a defense that recorded a franchise-record-tying 9 sacks in the 16-6 victory in game 11 vs. SF (11/24)
• Led the team with a career-high-tying 11 tackles in game 9 at Sea. (11/13)
• Netted 2 solo tackles, a sack and a FF (which was recovered by the Ravens and returned for a TD - LB Jarret Johnson) for a defense that forced 4 turnovers and tied an NFL record with 3 defensive TDs in the 34-17 victory in game 4 vs. NYJ (10/2)
• Recorded a solo tackle from scrimmage and 1 FR, which he returned 28 yards for his first-career TD, in the 37-7 victory in game 3 at STL (9/25)
• Controlled the line of scrimmage, recording 4 tackles, 1 PD (which led to a Ray Lewis INT), 1 FF and 2 FRs (which both led to TDs) for a defense that forced a franchise-record 7 turnovers (4 FRs and 3 INTs) in game 1 vs. Pit. (9/11)
• Produced 6 tackles, 1 PD and 1 FF for a team that forced 7 turnovers in two postseason games

2010: (16/15, 2/2) Earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod by leading the D-line with 65 tackles (48 solo), a career-high 5.5 sacks (tied for second in the AFC among DTs), a career-high-tying 5 PD and 1 FR for a Ravens' defense that ranked No. 5 against the run (93.9 ypg)...The Ravens have produced a top 5-run defense in five consecutive seasons

Recorded 3 tackles and a PD, which led to the game-ending INT, for a defense that held the Saints to 27 yards rushing (fifth-fewest allowed in franchise history) in the 30-24 victory in game 14 vs. NO (12/19)
Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting 4 solo tackles and a sack (-6 yards) for a defense that forced 3 turnovers in the 26-10 win in game 8 vs. Mia. (11/7)
Started and recorded 7 tackles (5 solo) and a career-high 2 sacks (-17 yards) in game 6 at NE (10/17)
Dominated the game by posting a career-high 11 tackles, including a career-high 8 solo - as well as a sack (-8 yards) - when he controlled the line of scrimmage in the 17-14 victory in game 4 at Pit. (10/3)
Started both playoff games and recorded 4 tackles (3 solo), a half-sack and a PD for a defense that forced 7 turnovers
2009: (14/13, 2/2) Earned his first-career Pro Bowl (starter) nod after posting 41 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF and 1 FR for a squad that finished second in the AFC and third in the NFL in overall defense

Started and netted 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 FF and 1 FR for a defense that tied a franchise record, forcing 6 turnovers and holding QB Jay Cutler to a Ravens' franchise-record-low 7.9 QB rating in the 31-7 victory in game 14 vs. Chi. (12/20)
Tied for the D-line lead (Trevor Pryce) with 5 tackles as part of a defense that held the Patriots to 2.8 yards per rush and 40% on third-down conversions in game 4 at NE (10/4)
Started his 50th-career game and led the D-line with 4 tackles and posted a half-sack (-5 yards), while helping hold the Chargers to 53 rushing yards and a 2.5 rushing average in the 31-26 win in game 2 at SD (9/20)
Controlled the line of scrimmage, netting 1 tackle and 1 QB hit and helped hold the Chiefs to 188 total yards, including just 29 on the ground in the 38-24 win in game 1 vs. KC (9/13)...Also saw action along the offensive line in goal-line situations against the Chiefs
Recorded 7 tackles and a sack (-9 yards) for a defense that allowed just 106 rushing yards and 2.5 yards per rush in two playoffs games
2008: (16/16, 3/3) Named as a first alternate to the Pro Bowl after anchoring the Ravens' defensive line...Led the D-line with 77 tackles (43 solo), 1 sack, a career-high 2 INTs and 5 PD as part of the NFL's second-ranked defense...Ravens finished 2008 having not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 35 consecutive games

Was a dominant force, recording a tackle, 3 QB hits, 2 PD and an INT in the end zone, squashing a Texans' goal-line threat, in the 41-13 victory in game 9 at Hou. (11/9)
Also saw action along the offensive line in short-and-goal situations...Posted 6 tackles, helping dominate the line of scrimmage, holding the Browns to 27 total yards in the second half of the 28-10 win in game 2 vs. Cle. (9/21)
Finished fifth on the team with 12 tackles (10 solo) in the postseason
Recorded his first-career postseason sack in the AFC Championship at Pit. -1/18/09
2007: (16/16) Turned in an exceptional sophomore performance after anchoring the second-ranked run defense in the NFL...Tied for fifth on the team (Jarret Johnson) with a career-high 94 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 PD and 1 FF

Led D-line with a career-high 9 tackles and had 2 QB hits in game 9 vs. Cin. (11/11)
2006: (16/16, 1/1) Named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team...Was the only Ravens rookie to start all 16 regular season games, netting 51 tackles, 3 PD, 1 sack and 1 INT

Started and made 5 tackles (4 solo) and his first-career sack (-3 yards) in the 31-7 win in game 15 at Pit. (12/24)
Started his first-career NFL game in the 27-0 victory in the season opener at TB (9/10) and posted 1 tackle, 1 PD and his first-career INT off of a LB Bart Scott deflection...Rumbled 60 yards to the Tampa Bay 9, which led to a FG
Also collected 7 tackles in the playoffs
College
Entered the draft following his junior season...Consensus first-team All-American selection as a junior and the first at Oregon since DB Mel Renfro in 1962...Compiled 151 tackles (83 solo), 24.5 TFL, 10 sacks (-64 yards), 7 PD, 3 FFs and 1 FR in 36 career games (29 starts)...Set a school record with 7 blocked kicks (3 FGAs, 3 PATs and 1 punt)...Was a finalist for the Outland Trophy (best collegiate interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski award (best college defensive player) as a junior...Consensus All-American honors from the Associated Press, NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com as a redshirt junior in 2005...Also a unanimous first-team All-Pac-10 Conference selection...Named the Pac-10 co-Defensive Player of the Year and was the recipient of the Morris Trophy (Pac-10's top defensive lineman)...Finished the year with a flurry to earn second-team All-Pac-10 conference honors as a sophomore in 2004...Suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening quarter of the season opener in 2003...Freshman first-team All-American selection, as well as earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors in 2002...Ngata also blocked 3 kicks (2 PATs and 1 FGA).

Community: Ngata, who in 2006 lost his mother to complications from diabetes, has been involved in various projects to promote and fund diabetes awareness and prevention, including the Walk for Juvenile Diabetes, the Haloti Ngata Sportsfest (2008), and hosting an essay contest for students to describe ways their class could promote awareness of the disease...Founded the Haloti Ngata Family Foundation, with the purpose to improve the lives of others through love and strength...In 2012, held his inaugural Family Foundation Luau to help raise funds for these initiatives... Annually contributes to the defensive line’s holiday efforts by purchasing gifts to be distributed to youth in need...In 2011, kicked off the in-school Play 60 Challenge (an effort to increase activity amongst students) at Sandymount Elementary School and spoke to over 200 students about the importance of getting active and staying healthy...In Dec. 2012, Ngata and wife Christina visited St. Vincent’s Orphanage to distribute gifts and spent time with the children.

High School, Personal: Prepped at Highland (Salt Lake City, UT) HS and started his last three years...Rated as the top defensive player in the nation by SuperPrep and PrepStar, as well as the best interior lineman in the country by Student Sports...Named the 2001 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year, recording over 100 tackles as a senior...Led his team to the state quarterfinals as a senior, following a 12-2 record and a berth in the State Championship as a junior...Was also an outstanding high school rugby player...Haloti and his wife, Christina, have two sons, Solomone “Sam,” born 7/15/09 and Max, born 7/30/12...Name is pronounced: ha-LOW-tee NAHtah... Full Name: Etuini Haloti Ngata.

NFL Top Player -- Dennis Pitta

Dennis Pitta
#88 TE
Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-4   Weight: 245   Age: 28
Born: 6/29/1985 Fresno , CA
College: Brigham Young
Experience: 4th season
High School: Moorpark HS [CA]

Dennis Pitta (born Dennis Pitta Jr. in Fresno, Calif.) is a tight end for the Brigham Young University Cougars in the NCAA college football tournament. A second-generation football player, Pitta is starting to make a name of his own at BYU as one of the main targets in the Cougars' passing offense. Although he never is considered as the number one option, playing behind more renowned names such as Harvey Unga and Austin Collie, Pitta's emergence adds another option for coach Bronco Mendenhall's offense. Offensively, Pitta may not have the same amount of touches as Unga and Collie, but he does his job---run crisp routes and know where to fit into coverage---nonetheless.

Personal Life

Dennis, a native of Moorpark, California, is one of Dennis Pitta Sr. and Linda's three children (with two older sisters). Both his parents are sports-oriented, even her mother, before she passed away. He is a second-generation football player, following the footsteps of his father who once suited up as a middle linebacker for Cal from 1968-1969. The elder Pitta has received votes on a poll listing the all-time best University of California football players. Interestingly, both Dennises began their college football careers in games against Notre Dame.
Aside from their usual quarterback-tight end combo on the field, Dennis and Cougar QB Max Hall share a connection off of it. Back in the fall of 2007, Hall's wife McKinzi set up her sister Mataya with Dennis. In July of 2008, Dennis and Mataya tied the knot, making Dennis and Hall brothers-in-law.
Following his freshman season at BYU, the former Eagle Scout spent a couple of years in Dominican Republic to serve an LDS Church mission.

Community: As part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” Military Appreciation initiative, joined teammates in hosting a karaoke party for local Baltimore veterans (Nov. 2011)...Taught youth football players the fundamentals of football at the NEXT Level Football Camp at Provo High School in Provo, Utah...In 2012, led football drills for more than 150 kids at Coca-Cola’s youth fitness event Live Positively: Get the Ball Rolling, an initiative designed to educate youth the importance of healthy living…Also awarded Player of the Year by the Tri-State Ravens Nest 12 for his success on and off the field...Supported Ravens’ community initiatives by attending the annual women’s event, A Purple Evening at M&T Bank Stadium...Also participated in teammates’ charitable events, including Vonta Leach’s Celebrity Billiards Tournament benefitting breast cancer research and Haloti Ngata’s Family Foundation Luau.

High School

Pitta attended high school at Moorpark High in his hometown of Moorpark, California where he was a three-sport athlete. Aside from earning two letters in football, Pitta also got one letter in basketball and three more in track. Under head coach Tim Lins, Pitta played on both ends on the field, catching passes as a receiver on offense and swatting them or picking them off as a cornerback on defense. The four-year scholar athlete concluded his high school career with a productive senior season, catching 64 passes for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns to help his team reach the CIF state semifinals and post an 11-win record in 2002. His performance that year earned him a selection into the all-county, all-league and all-area teams. He also was tabbed as a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete.

Honor

• Has 102 receptions for 1,075 yards and 10 TDs
• His 7 TDs in 2012 tied Todd Heap (2005) for most by a Ravens’ tight end in a single season
• Posted a career-high 2 TD receptions, including a career-long 61-yarder, vs. Den. (12/16/12)
• Gained a career-high 125 yards (on 7 receptions) vs. Den. (12/16/12)
• Caught a career-high 8 receptions at Phi. (9/16/12)
• Caught his first-career TD vs. SF (11/24/11)
• Started his first-career game at Ten. (9/18/11)
• Grabbed his first-career reception at Cin. (9/19/10)

College

Despite being recruited by Yale, Dartmouth, Navy, Oregon, Oklahoma State and Utah, Pitta was not the most highly-touted prospects out of high school. Without much of an option, Pitta decided to accept BYU's invitation to be a walk-on.
2003
Grayshirted.
2004
As a freshman, Pitta took part in the spring drills and caught a pass for a five-yard touchdown in the annual Blue-White game. During the regular season, he managed to earn significant minutes under head coach Gary Crowton mainly due to the injury to Phil Niu. He made his collegiate debut against Notre Dame, playing behind David Coats and catching a 4-yard pass in the 20-17 win. The following week at Stanford, he caught three passes for 22 yards in the 27-point loss to the Cardinal. He also caught a 20-yard pass at Colorado State, hauled in three throws for 35 yards in the loss to UNLV, tallied his first career scores after catching two TD receptions in the 17-point win at Air Force, added a 21-yard catch in the win against San Diego State, then caught a season high 4 passes for 44 yards in the loss to New Mexico. He closed out his rookie year with 2 receptions for 18 yards in the 31-point setback at Utah. Pitta also moonlighted as a returner against the Falcons, returning a punt for 18 yards.
Pitta capped the year as the team's leading tight end receiver with 17 receptions for 176 yards and 2 TDs.
2007
Following his two-year hiatus, Pitta returned in December of 2006 and watched as the Cougars slaughtered Oregon, 38-8 at the Las Vegas Bowl. Upon his comeback, Pitta impressed his coaches with his speed as he topped all tight ends in that category but continued to work under a personal trainer during the summer to improve his quickness all the more. He competed with Vic So'oto and Andrew George for the position left by Jonny Harline. Pitta eventually got the starting nod during the preseason.
He made his re-debut against Arizona and caught 4 passes for 33 yards and 1 TD in the 13-point win. At UCLA, he recorded five passes for 66 yards in the 10-point loss to the Bruins. In week 3 at Tulsa, he tallied his first 100-yard game, catching 6 passes for 113 yards and 1 TD as the Cougars failed to outgun the Golden Hurricane, 47-55. Against Air Force, Pitta established a new career high of 114 receiving yards on 5 receptions as BYU started its 10-game winning streak with a 31-6 rout of the Falcons. In road wins at New Mexico and at UNLV, he also contributed significant numbers with 49 yards and 1 TD on 4 catches against the Lobos and a season high 7 receptions for 97 yards against the Rebels. He was limited to a season low 5-yard catch in the blow-out victory over Washington then chipped in 4 and 7 catches for 70 and 88 yards in the ensuing victories over Colorado State and TCU, respectively. He scored on another TD reception at Wyoming, in addition to 58 yards on 4 catches. He then tallied 3 receptions for 35 yards against Utah before closing the season out with a 4-catch, 47-yard, 1-TD effort in the finale at San Diego State.
In his first postseason appearance, Pitta had 5 catches for 38 yards in BYU's 1-point win over the Bruins in the Las Vegas Bowl. By the end of his sophomore campaign, Pitta figured prominently in the tight ends' statistical race, leading all tight ends in the Mountain West Conference and placing sixth overall in receptions (59, 4.5 per game), 5th in yards per game (63, second-ranked sophomore), and paced the league tight ends in touchdown receptions with five for the season. He was also named as an All-Mountain West Conference first-team pick in addition to an Academic All-Mountain West Conference accolades.
2008
During the preseason, Pitta was named an early candidate for a couple of prestigious national awards: the John Mackey Award and the Rotary Lombardi Award. He was also considered as a preseason All-MWC and an All-American candidate. In the season-opener against Northern Iowa, Pitta picked up where he left off by registering career highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (213) in the Cougars' easy 41-17 victory. In the "controversial" win at Washington, Pitta caught 10 passes for 148 yards and his first TD of the season to help BYU egde out U-Dub, 28-27. In a Las Vegas Bowl rematch with UCLA, he totalled 2 TD receptions and 47 yards on 5 catches as the Cougars shut-out the Bruins, 59-0.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens (2010-present)
Pitta was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. The pick was one of three that the Ravens acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos on the first night of the draft on April 22. The Broncos received a first-round pick which was used to select Tim Tebow. Pitta was signed to a three-year contract on June 21, 2010. In his rookie year, Pitta had only one catch for a single yard while playing behind Todd Heap and fellow-rookie Ed Dickson. In 2011 however, quarterback Joe Flacco looked for Pitta often, and Pitta stepped into a more valuable role, with 40 catches for 405 yards and three touchdowns. By then, Terrell Suggs nicknamed him "American Express".

In the Ravens' 2012 season opener in Cincinnati, Pitta caught 5 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, with quarterback Joe Flacco targeting him 10 times. By October, he was the starting TE in front of Ed Dickson. However, Dickson was listed ahead of Pitta in Super Bowl XLVII. In Super Bowl XLVII, Pitta caught four balls for 26 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In the entire playoffs, he caught touchdowns in 3 of the 4 games.

On May 13, 2013, the Baltimore Ravens announced that Pitta signed his second round restricted free agent tender worth $2.023 million.

On July 27, 2013, Pitta suffered a dislocated and fractured hip during training camp and underwent surgery the same night. Pitta was not immediately placed on injured reserve and examinations of the hip revealed no ligament or cartilage damage..

In Week 14 of the 2013 season, Pitta returned to on field action for first time since Super Bowl XLVII . He caught 6 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in a 29-26 win against the Minnesota Vikings.

On February 28, 2014, the Baltimore Ravens and Pitta agreed to a 5 year $32 million contract. 

NFL Top Player -- Terrell Suggs

Terrell Suggs
#55 OLB
Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-3   Weight: 260   Age: 31
Born: 10/11/1982 Minneapolis , MN
College: Arizona State
Experience: 12th season
High School: Hamilton HS [Chandler, AZ]

Terrell Raymonn Suggs (born October 11, 1982) is an American football outside linebacker and defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Arizona State University, and was recognized as an All-American. The Ravens selected him with the tenth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, and is now the team's all-time leader in sacks with 94.5.Suggs is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

Transactions

Terrell Suggs was originally selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Honors

• Five-time Pro Bowler (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011)
• Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
• Pro Football Weekly Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
• KC 101 Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Month (Dec., 2011)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Month (Nov., 2010)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 14, Week 12 and Week 1, 2011)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 7, 2008)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 13, 2005)
• Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003)
• Associated Press first-team All-Pro (2011)
• Associated Press second-team All-Pro (2008)
• Butkus Award (best LB) co-winner with Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware (2011)
• Ed Block Courage Award Winner (2012)
• Football Digest second-team All-Pro (2006)
• Pro Football Weekly first-team All-NFL (2011)
• Sporting News All-Pro Team (2011)
• Tied an NFL rookie record (Santana Dotson) with a sack in each of his first four NFL games
• Defensive Rookie of the Month (Sept. 2003)

Early years

Suggs was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Laverne Diane (née Kennedy) and Donald Lee Suggs.He was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. While growing up in Saint Paul, Suggs played youth football, as a center, with future baseball player Joe Mauer.Suggs moved to Arizona either after eighth grade or after playing on Johnson Senior High School's freshman football team.As a teenager, he attended multiple schools, the first being Chandler High School. He later transferred to Hamilton High School where he set the Arizona Class 5A record for rushing yards in a game with 367 against Yuma Kofa as a junior in 1999.

As a senior, Suggs was named a Parade high school All-American in 2000, Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year, the No. 1 jumbo athlete in the nation by SuperPrep Magazine, Arizona Player of the Year by USA Today as well as an All-American by USA Today and the 60th-best player in the nation by Sporting News.

In addition, Suggs lettered three times in basketball and once in track and field.

High School, Personal: Parade All-American in 2000 and Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year at Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) HS...Rated the No. 6 player in the Far West and the No.3 Athlete in the Western region by PrepStar...Named to the All-American team and Arizona Player of the Year by USA Today…Ranked the 60th-best player in the nation by The Sporting News...Made second-team All-West Team by The Orange County Register...Rated the No. 19 player on the Western Region Super 30 by SportsLine/PrepStar...Arizona 5A Player of the Year by the Phoenix Metro...Arizona Player of the Year by Super All-State ‘99...Member of the first-team offense on the Super All-State 1999...First-team All-State and All-Region...Rushed 297 times for 2,274 yards and 26 TDs... Transferred from Chandler (AZ) HS, where he was a blocking back and LB...Set the school record with 367 rushing yards and 5 TDs in a single game...First in the state in rushing yards (2,274), third in TDs (26) and fourth in scoring (156)...Once scored 4 TDs and had 205 yards in three quarters...Lettered three times in football, three times in basketball and once in track and field...Is also a movie aficionado, with a TV, DVD player and sound system in his locker...Suggs co-wrote and produced “When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things,” a short film that was shot in Baltimore and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May 2011... Suggs’ independent film company, Team Sizzle Productions, had another film, “The Commitment,” selected to Cannes in 2012...Suggs was the producer, while Rich Volin wrote and directed the movie...Suggs’ third movie “The Coalition,” which he wrote and produced was released on Feb. 5, 2013... He is also in pre-production on his fourth movie “Everything about You,” due out in the summer of 2014...Also during the 2012 offseason, Suggs was one of 20 players selected to take part in the NFL’s first-ever Hollywood Boot Camp...The fourday event is designed to provide current and former players an opportunity to get a taste of the motion picture business.

College
Shattered school, conference and NCAA single-season records with 24 sacks in 2002...One of the most dominant pass rushers in the history of college football, Suggs entered the draft after his junior season...His career totals of 44 sacks and 65.5 TFL set school records...Started 34 of 36 games over his 3-year career at Arizona State, amassing 163 tackles (109 solo), including 44 sacks, 14 FFs, 3 FRs, 2 INTs and 9 PD...Consensus All-American and first-team All-Pac 10 Conference selection as a junior…Recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Trophy (nation's top lineman) and Morris Trophy (Pac-10's top lineman)…Also named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year...Winner of the Hendricks Award, given to college football's premier DE and voted team MVP…Started every game at DE as a junior and recorded 73 tackles (44 solo)…Set school, conference and NCAA single-season records with 24 sacks, topping the previous school and conference marks of 19 by Al Harris (Arizona State) in 1978 and 17.5 by Syracuse's Dwight Freeney in 2001...His 31.5 stops for losses broke the previous conference mark of 28 by Stanford's Ron George in 1990...Second-team All-American selection by The NFL Draft Report, third-team All-America from Football News and a first-team All-Pac 10 choice as a sophomore...Named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year...Football News first team Freshman All-American and third-team Freshman All-America selection by The Sporting News...Secondary education/history major.


Career

• Ravens all-time leader in sacks (84.5) and sack yardage (-625)
• Also owns the Ravens’ record for FFs (29) and is second in FRs (11)
• Produced a single-season franchise-record 7 FFs in 2011
• His 682 tackles (461 solo) are third most in Ravens history
• Owns 49 PD and 7 INTs (2 returned for TDs - both in 2008)
• Scored his first-career TD on a 44-yard INT return at Mia. (10/19/08)
• Earned a career-high 102 tackles (62 solo) in 2008
• Tallied a franchise-rookie-record 12 sacks in 2003
• Ravens all-time leader in postseason sacks and yards (12-77)

2003: (16/1, 1/1) Finished fourth in the AFC and eighth in the NFL with a franchise rookie-record 12 sacks...Totaled 33 tackles, 6 FFs, 4 FRs, 3 PD and 1 INT in 2003...Became just the second Raven (Peter Boulware – 1997) to earn Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors... Also earned Defensive Rookie of the Month (September).

2004: (16/16) Earned his first-career Pro Bowl berth after leading the team with 10.5 sacks (third in the AFC)...Recorded 72 tackles, had 1 FF and recovered 2 more

Posted 7 tackles, including 1 sack (-7 yards) in game 10 vs. Dal. (11/21)...Sack was the 20th of his career in his 26th game, tying him for the fourth-fastest in NFL history to the 20-sack mark…Also had 1 FR, which led to a Ravens' TD two plays later.

2005: (16/16) Finished fifth on the team with 86 tackles (65 solo), 8 sacks (-64.5 yards), 6 FFs, 1 FR, 3 PD and a career-high 2 INTs.

Shared the defensive game ball (Adalius Thomas), when he netted 6 tackles (5 solo) and a career-high 3 sacks (-24 yards) and 1 FF in the 16-15 win in game 12 vs. Hou. (12/4)
Posted 11 tackles, including 8 solo, with 1 TFL in game 6 at Chi. (10/23).

2006: (16/15, 1/1) Named to his second Pro Bowl after posting 86 tackles, including 63 solo...Also tied for third on the team with 9.5 sacks (-64.5 yards), 7 PD, 3 FFs and 2 FRs

Started and produced a postseason career high 10 tackles, 1 FF and the team lead with 6 QB hits while helping hold the Colts to 2.9 yards per rush in the Divisional Playoff vs. Ind. (1/13/07)


2007: (16/16) Finished fourth on the team with 95 tackles, including a team-leading 5 sacks (-34 yards)...He also recorded 7 PD (tied a career high) and 1 FF

Led the team with a career-high 14 tackles, 1 sack (-9 yards) and 3 additional QB hits in game 8 at Pit. (11/5)
Helped hold the Jets to 2.6 yards per rush, posting 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL and a career high 3 PD in the 20-13 win in game 2 vs. NYJ (9/16)

2008: (16/16, 3/3) Earned his third Pro Bowl nod after finishing third on the team with a career high 102 tackles (62 solo), a team-leading 8 sacks (-69.5 yards), 11 PD, 2 FFs, 1 FR and tied his career high with 2 INTs, both of which he returned for TDs (44 and 42 yards respectively) for the NFL's second-ranked defense...Ravens finished 2008, not allowing a 100-yard rusher in 35 consecutive games

Dominated by making 9 tackles, 2 QB hits, 2 PD and an INT, which he returned 42 yards for a TD to seal a 10-point victory in game 8 at Cle. (11/2)...It was his second INT returned for a TD in three weeks
Turned in another massive performance, recording 9 tackles, including 2 TFL and 1 sack - the 50th sack of his career - in the 29-10 victory in game 7 vs. Oak. (10/26)
Earned AFC Defensive player of the Week honors after posting 8 tackles (6 solo), a sack (-7 yards) and an INT (first pick since 2005 season), which he returned 44 yards for his first-career TD in the 27-13 win in game 6 at Mia. (10/19)
Posted 11 tackles, 1 FR and a postseason career-high and team-leading 4 sacks (-35 yards) while starting all three games
Started and produced a postseason career high 2 sacks (-17 yards) despite playing with a significant shoulder injury after not practicing all week in the AFC Championship at Pit.(1/18/09)

2009: (13/13, 2/2) Finished sixth on the team with 58 tackles (41 solo), 5 PD, 4.5 sacks (-33 yards), 1 FF and 1 FR for a squad that ranked second in the AFC and third in the NFL in overall defense, despite missing three games with a knee injury

Started and recorded 3 tackles and a sack (-8 yards) on a defense that held the Raiders to 51 rushing yards (2.6 avg.) in the 21-13 victory in game 16 at Oak. (1/3/10)
Posted 3 tackles for a defense that tied a franchise record, forcing 6 turnovers and holding QB Jay Cutler to a Ravens' franchise record - low 7.9 QB rating in the 31-7 victory in game 14 vs. Chi. (12/20)
Played in his 100th-career game and posted 6 tackles, including a sack (-14 yards), a FF (on the sack, which was recovered by Dwan Edwards for a TD) and a PD in game 4 at NE (10/4)
Started both playoff games and tied for fourth on the team with 10 tackles, 1 sack (-9 yards), 1 FF and 1 FR on a defense that allowed just 106 rushing yards and 2.5 yards per rush
Netted 3 tackles, a sack (-9 yards), a FF and a FR (which led to a Ravens' TD 5 plays later) as part of a defense that allowed just 64 yards rushing in the 33-14 victory in the Wild Card Game at NE (1/10/10)...Ravens held QB Tom Brady to a 49.1 QB rating, while forcing 4 turnovers, including 3 INTs.

2010: (16/16, 2/2) Earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod after recording 58 tackles (38 solo), a team leading 11 sacks (-73 yards), 2 PD and 2 FFs

Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for November after posting 14 tackles and 4 sacks in four games
Posted 4 tackles (3 solo) and a sack (-11 yards), marking the first time since 2007 that he has posted at least one sack in three consecutive games in game 10 at Car. (11/21)
Recorded 4 tackles, including 2 sacks (-14 yards), marking his first multi-sack game since 9/20/09, in game 9 at Atl. (11/11)
Netted 2 tackles, including a sack (60th career sack), in the 17-14 win in game 4 at Pit. (10/3)
Posted 10 tackles, including a team-leading 5 sacks and 1 FF for a defense that forced 7 turnovers in two postseason contests
Turned in a dominant performance, recording 6 tackles, a franchise-record-tying 3 sacks and a FF (that was recovered by the Ravens and returned for a TD) in the Divisional Game at Pit. (1/15/11)
Netted 4 solo tackles, including 2 sacks (-7), for a defense that held the Chiefs to 161 total yards and forced 5 turnovers in the 30-7 victory in the Wild Card Game at KC (1/9/11)

2011: (16/16, 2/2) Earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year (by multiple outlets) after leading the AFC with a career-high 14 sacks and recording a single-season franchise-record 7 FFs for the NFLs third-ranked defense (288.9 ypg)...Baltimore was also second against the run (92.6 ypg) and the league’s top red zone defense...Also had 70 tackles, 6 PD and a career-hightying 2 INTs

• Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors (Dec./Jan.) after producing 21 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 PD and 4 FFs, helping the Ravens to a 4-1 record to close out the season
• Posted 5 solo tackles, including a career-high-tying 3 sacks and a career-high 3 FFs, for a defense that allowed just 167 total yards and held the Colts to 14% (2-of-14) on third down in the 24-10 victory in game 13 vs. Ind. (12/11)... With 3 sacks, Suggs established a new single-season career high with 13 sacks...Set a franchise single-game record with his 3 FFs, earning his third Defensive Player of the Week award in 2011
• Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a FF and a career-high-tying 3 sacks, part of a franchise-record-tying 9 sacks, in the 16-6 victory in game 11 vs. SF (11/24)
• Led the team with 13 tackles, 1 sack and 2 QB hits (one of which led to a Ravens’ INT) for a defense that held the Cardinals to 18% on third down (2-of-11) and recorded 6 sacks in the 30-27 victory in game 7 vs. Ari. (10/30)
• Recorded 3 tackles and 2 QB hits for a defense that forced 4 turnovers and tied an NFL record with 3 defensive TDs in the 34-17 victory in game 4 vs. NYJ (10/2)
• Netted 4 solo tackles and a sack (part of 5 by the Ravens’ defense) in the 37-7 victory in game 3 at STL (9/25)
• Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after turning in a dominant performance, posting 5 solo tackles and a career-high-tying 3 sacks (-25 yards), becoming the Ravens’ all-time sacks leader in the 35-7 victory in the season opener vs. Pit. (9/11)...Also posted 2 FFs (both of which were recovered by the Ravens and led to scores) for a defense that forced a franchise-record 7 turnovers
• Finished third on the team with 11 tackles and a PD for a team that forced 7 turnovers in two playoff games.

2012: (8/8, 4/4) Produced 22 tackles (17 solo), 2 sacks (-15 yards) and 4 PD despite playing in just eight games due to injury (missed first six games of the season with an Achilles injury, missed one game due to a biceps injury and another game on a coach’s decision to rest injuries)

• Posted 4 solo tackles, including a sack (-7 yards) and 1 PD, for a defense that held the Chargers to 20% on third down (3-of-15) in game 11 at SD (11/25)
• Started and finished with 3 tackles (2 solo) and 2 PD in the 55-20 victory in game 9 vs. Oak. (11/11)
• Started his first game of the season after returning from an Achilles injury and recorded 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack (-8 yards) and 1 PD in game 7 at Hou. (10/21)
• Activated from the PUP list on 10/20
• Was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list (Achilles) on 8/27 and missed the first six weeks of the season
• Totaled 21 tackles (13 solo), 2 sacks, 1 PD and 1 FF for a defense that forced 10 turnovers in four playoff games
• Finished second on the team with 10 solo tackles, 2 sacks (-8 yards), 1 PD and 1 FF in the 38-35 double-overtime win in the Divisional Playoff at Den. (1/12/13)

Posted 5 tackles (3 solo), including 2 sacks (-9 yards), which established a new franchise rookie record with 12 sacks (Peter Boulware – 11.5 in 1997) in game 15 at Cle. (12/21)
Tied an NFL record (Santana Dotson – 1992) with a sack in each of the first four games of his career in game 4 vs. KC (9/28)
Was used mainly in passing situations at DE and recorded his third sack in as many games in the 24-10 win in game 3 at SD (9/21)...Pulled in his first-career INT against the Chargers, leading to a Jamal Lewis TD two plays later
Subbed and recorded his first NFL sack (-7 yards) in his first NFL game in the season opener at Pit. (9/7)

2013

The 2013 season began very well for Suggs compared to the year prior. Within 12 weeks into the season, Suggs had registered 9.0 sacks and one fumble recovery. Overall in 2013, Suggs started all 16 games with 80 tackles, a fumble recovery, and 10 sacks. For his efforts, Suggs was elected to participate in the Pro Bowl (6th overall).

Community: Annually hosts the “Team Sizzle Worldwide Celebrity Weekend,” a charitable event to benefit the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund...Inspired by a chance encounter with a teen who suffers from sickle cell anemia, Suggs’ charitable focus is on funding research efforts and care for those who have the disease...Continues to support his alma mater, Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) HS, and has provided uniforms, cleats and gloves to the football team... Also supports his teammates’ and the Ravens’ charitable initiatives, including the 2011 Anquan Boldin Foundation Fundraising Dinner, the Ngata Family Foundation Event and former Raven Jonathan Ogden’s “A Ringside Gala” (2012).

NFL Top Player -- Jacoby Jones

 
 
Jacoby Jones 
#12 WR
Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-2   Weight: 215   Age: 29
Born: 7/11/1984 New Orleans , LA
College: Lane
Experience: 8th season
High School: Marion Abramson HS [New Orleans, LA]

Jacoby Rashi'd Jones (born July 11, 1984) is an American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Lane College, and was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2012. During Super Bowl XLVII, he recorded the longest play in the game's history, a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Transactions

Jacoby Jones signed with the Ravens on 5/8/12...Originally drafted by the Texans in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Honors

• Pro Bowler (2012)
• AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (November, 2012)
• AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 6, 2008; Week 8, 2008; Week 4, 2009; Week 6, 2012; Week 10, 2012)
• Associated Press first-team All-Pro (2012)
• PFW/PFWA first-team All-Pro (2012)
• Sports Illustrated (Peter King) All-Pro (2012)

Early years

Jones lived in New Orleans East.Jones attended St. Augustine High School and Marion Abramson High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a third-year student (junior) at St. Augustine he learned that the school considered him too small to play on the football team. Allen Woods, his godfather and the assistant principal of Abramson, advised him to transfer to that school.At Abramson, he was a letterman in football, basketball, and track. In basketball, he was an All-Metropolitan selection and an All-Area selection. In track, he was an All-Metropolitan selection and an All-Area selection, with a personal best of 10.28 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.3 seconds in the 200 meters.

His childhood house and his high school were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

College: Three-time All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honoree...Finished his career at Lane College as the all-time career leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (2,750) and receiving TDs (21)...Also established Lane records with 1,937 yards and 4 TDs on KORs and the school’s single-season record with 931 yards on KORs, as a junior... SIAC Offensive Player of the Year and MVP as a senior after leading the SIAC in receiving yards per game (74.7), receptions per game (6.2), receiving TDs (6), all-purpose yards (189.9) and PR average (13.8)...Had 2 KORs and a PR for TDs and finished second in the conference in scoring with 10 TDs...Also had 68 receptions for 822 yards, helping the Dragons finish with an 8-3 record...Led the conference with 50 receptions for 587 yards and 3 TDs as a junior...Posted 46 receptions for 664 yards and 5 TDs as a sophomore...Pulled in 36 receptions for 677 yards and a career-high 7 TDs as a freshman...Majored in interdisciplinary studies.

Career

 • Established Super Bowl records with a 108-yard KOR for a TD and 290 combined yards (206 KOR, 28 PR and 56 rec.) vs. SF in Super Bowl XLVII (2/3/13)
• Tied an NFL record with a 108-yard KOR for a TD vs. Dal. (10/14/12) - Ellis Hobbs (9/9/07) and Randall Cobb (9/8/11)
• Led the NFL with a Ravens’ franchise-record 30.7 KOR avg. in 2012
• Is the first Raven ever to post multiple KOR-TDs in a season and a career and is the only player in NFL history to record dual KOR-TDs of at least 105 yards (2012)
• Has returned 4 punts and 3 KOs for TDs
• Is the only Raven to produce 3 combined kick return TDs in a season (2 KORs and 1 PR) in 2012
• Owns the Texans’ franchise record with 4 career returns for a TD
• Only player in Texans history to have 3 PRs for TDs
• Caught a 70-yard TD pass from Joe Flacco with :31 seconds remaining in the Divisional Playoff at Den. (1/12/13), which tied the game eventually won by the Ravens, 38-35 in 2OT
• Had a career-long 79-yard PR vs. Ind. (9/11/11)

2007: (with Houston – 14/3) Posted 15 receptions for 149 yards, 4 KORs for 78 yards (19.5 avg.) and 30 PRs for 286 yards (9.5 avg.)

• Started his first-career NFL game at WR, pulling in 3 receptions for 11 yards and posting 2 KORs for 41 yards in game 7 vs. Ten. (10/21)
• Netted 3 receptions for 26 yards and had 2 PR for 86 yards in game 3 vs. Ind. (9/23)
• Recorded his first-career NFL reception (finished with 2 catches for 33 yards) in game 1 vs. KC (9/9)

2008: (with Houston – 16/0) Had 3 receptions for 81 yards and returned 32 punts 386 yards (12.1 avg.), with a career high 2 TDs and 13 KORs for 280 yards (21.5 avg.)

• Earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after posting a PR for 73 yards for a TD and 3 KORs for 58 yards in game 7 vs. Cin. (10/26)
• Earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after returning 4 punts for 87 yards, including a then career- long 70-yard TD return, in game 5 vs. Mia. (10/12)

2009: (with Houston – 14/1) Recorded 27 receptions for 437 yards and carried the ball 3 times for 22 yards...Established then-career highs in KORs (24), KOR yards (638), KOR avg. (26.6) and posted his first-career KOR for a TD...Also had 39 PRs for a career-high 426 yards (10.9 avg.), including a long of 62.

2010: (with Houston – 15/7) Established career highs in receptions (51), yards (562) and produced 3 receiving TDs...Also recorded 23 KORs for 494 yards (21.5 avg.) and 29 PRs for 204 yards (7.0 avg.)

 2011: (with Houston – 16/10, 2/0) Produced 31 receptions for 512 yards and 2 TDs...Also recorded 49 PRs for 518 yards (including long of 79 yards - good for a TD)

 • Posted 2 receptions for 87 yards, including a career-long 80-yard TD, in game 10 at TB (11/13)
• Recorded 4 catches for 76 yards, including a 32-yard TD in game 6 at Bal. (10/16)
• Hauled in 3 passes for 43 yards and returned 3 punts for a career-high 91 yards, including a career-long 79-yard TD scamper, in the season opener vs. Ind. (9/11)

 • Posted 5 catches for a career-high 115 yards (first-career 100-yard receiving game) in game 15 at Den. (12/26)
• Netted a career-high 7 receptions for 50 yards in game 14 at Ten. (12/19)
• Pulled in 5 catches for 52 yards and 1 TD in game 13 vs. Bal. (12/13)

• Posted 5 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD in game 16 vs.NE (1/3/10)
• Pulled in 2 receptions for a team-leading 79 yards, including a 44-yard TD in game 15 at Mia. (12/27)
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff for a 95-yard TD in game 4 vs. Oak. (10/4)...Also had 7 PRs for 60 yards and 1 reception for 6 yards against the Raiders

2012: (with Baltimore – 16/3, 4/1) Earned his first-career Pro Bowl nod after leading the league with a franchise-record 30.7 KOR average, picking up 1,167 KOR yards and 2 TDs on 38 returns...Jones tied an NFL record with a 108-yard KOR for a TD vs. Dal. (10/14/12) and became the first Raven ever to post multiple KOR-TDs in a season and a career...He is also the only player in NFL history to record dual KOR-TDs of at least 105 yards...Jones had 37 PRs for 341 yards, including a 63-yard TD return (11/18 at Pit.), and pulled in 30 receptions for 406 yards (13.5 avg.) and 1 TD

• Pulled in 5 receptions for 50 yards, had 7 PRs for 61 yards and 2 KORs for 46 yards in the 16-13 overtime victory in game 11 at SD (11/25)
• Posted 2 PRs for 66 yards (33.0 avg.), including a 63-yard TD return (his third kick/punt return-TD in five games), in the 13-10 victory in game 10 at Pit. (11/18)...Also had 2 KORs for 58 yards (29.0 avg.)
• Earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after becoming the first Raven ever to post multiple KORTDs in a season and a career with a 105-yard KOR-TD in the 55-20 victory in game 9 vs. Oak. (11/11)...Jones is the only player in NFL history to record dual KOR-TDs of at least 105 yards...He returned 3 punts for 36 yards (12.0 avg.), also pulling in 2 receptions for 54 yards and carrying the ball once for 6 yards against the Raiders
• Earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after he tied an NFL record with a 108-yard KOR for a TD in the third quarter of the 31-29 victory in game 6 vs. Dal. (10/14)...Also pulled in 2 receptions for 15 yards against the Cowboys
• Started and caught 1 pass, good for a 21-yard TD in game 2 at Phi. (9/16)...Also posted 3 PRs for 34 yards (11.3 avg.) against the Eagles
• Started and posted 3 receptions for 46 yards in the 44-13 win in game 1 vs. Cin. (9/10)...Also had 1 PR for 9 yards
• Posted 619 combined yards, with 362 yards and 1 TD on KORs, 147 yards and 2 TDs receiving and 110 PR yards in four playoff games
• Set a Super Bowl record with 290 combined yards, including 206 on KORs (with a Super Bowl-record 108- yard KOR for a TD to open the second half), a 56-yard TD reception and 28 PR yards in the 34-31 victory in Super Bowl XLVII vs. SF (2/3/13)
• Pulled in 2 receptions for 77 yards, including a postseason franchise-long 70-yard TD with :31 remaining in the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime, in the 38- 35 double-overtime win in the Divisional Playoff Game at Den. (1/12/13)...Also had 4 KORs for 64 yards and 1 PR for 14 yards against the Broncos.

2013:During the 2013 regular season, Jones was injured in the Kickoff game in Week 1 when teammate Brynden Trawick ran into him during a punt return. Jones would not return until Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, where he had his first receiving touchdown of the season. In Week 13, on Thanksgiving against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jones was en route of returning a kickoff seemingly for a touchdown, when Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin disrupted the route by unknowing standing on the field while looking at the big screen in M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens would win, however, 22-20. The next week, in a snowy game against the Minnesota Vikings, Jones returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown in the final two minutes. The Vikings would then answer with another touchdown with 45 seconds remaining, until fellow teammate, Marlon Brown, scored the game-winning touchdown with 4 seconds remaining, allowing the Ravens to win 29-26. In week 15, the Ravens played the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. On a key 3rd & 15 within two minutes left in regulation, Jones converted it for a first down with a pass from quarterback Joe Flacco. Shortly after that, second year kicker Justin Tucker kicked a career high and team record field goal from 61 yards for the 18-16 win. Jones had 6 receptions for 80 yards that game.

After testing the free agent market, on March 12, 2014 Jones agreed to a 4 year, $12 million contract with $4.5 million guaranteed to remain with the Baltimore Ravens

Community: Supports the Ravens’ charitable initiatives, including the Ravens TEAM Challenge Hometown Huddle, Giant Holiday Food Giveaway and A Purple Evening, the annual women’s event at M&T Bank Stadium...Supported teammates charitable initiatives, including Vonta Leach’s Celebrity Billiards Tournament benefitting breast cancer research, Lardarius Webb’s Charity Bowling Classic and Ravens Alumni Jonathan Ogden’s charity boxing event.

High School, Personal: Prepped at Marion Abramson (New Orleans, LA) HS...Did not start playing football until his junior year...Also lettered in basketball and track...Earned All-Metropolitan honors and was an All-Area selection in basketball...In track, he was also an All-Metropolitan and an All-Area selection in track as a senior...Finished third in the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2013, with his partner Karina Smirnoff.

NFL Top Player -- Tyrod Taylor

Tyrod Taylor | Quarterback
Team:     Baltimore Ravens
Age / DOB:      (24) / 8/3/1989
Ht / Wt:      6'1' / 215
College:     Virginia Tech
Contract:     view contract details

Tyrod Taylor (born August 3, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He was the starting quarterback for the Virginia Tech Hokies football team from the start of the 2008 college football season until the 2011 Orange Bowl, the final game of the 2010 college football season for Virginia Tech.

Transactions
Tyrod Taylor was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Career

• Set single-game career highs in every category, going 15-of-25 for 149 yards, and rushing 9 times for 65 yards and 1 TD at Cin. (12/30/12)
• Completed his first-career pass attempt (Anquan Boldin) for 18 yards at SD (12/18/11)
• Scored his first-career TD (an 11 yard run) at Cin. (12/30/12)
• Posted his first-career carry (for 2 yards) at Cle. (12/4/11)

Taylor was drafted in Round 6 with the 180th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He orchestrated the game winning touchdown drive in preseason week 3. He hit Brandon Jones for a 9 yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining. He served as the backup quarterback behind Joe Flacco.

From Atlanta, in his 1st career start (exhibition preseason week 4), Tyrod Taylor left the Ravens’ exhibition finale with a shoulder bruise Thursday night, potentially putting a crimp in the team's quarterback plans. Early tests revealed no separation and the rookie's injury was characterized as a contusion.

Taylor had his first regular season playing time on December 4, 2011 in a victory against the Cleveland Browns. He had one rush for a two yard gain.He would appear as well on December 18 and throw his first ever regular season pass, a completion for 18 yards. He also lined up as a wide receiver for one play against the Indianapolis Colts.

On December 30, 2012 in Week 17 of the 2012 NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco was rested for most of the game, offering Taylor decent playing time. During the 4th quarter of that game, Taylor would score his 1st career touchdown on a 1 yard QB bootleg. However, Taylor also threw a crucial interception to Carlos Dunlap that would be returned for a touchdown. The Ravens would lose the game against the Bengals 23-17.Taylor got his first championship title as the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the 49ers.

Taylor had an exceptionally good preseason in 2013 when he completed 21 of 36 passes for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions. He also showed his versatility as a runner using designed runs and scrambles while rushing for 66 yards on 15 carries. His strong preseason performance allowed him to keep his job as the Ravens backup quarterback for the 3rd straight season.

Taylor didn't see any action in 2013 until a Week 10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. He ran on an end around handoff from Flacco that was good for a gain of 18 yards, which was the longest run by any Ravens player in that game. In Week 12 against the New York Jets, Taylor played 12 total snaps, 5 at quarterback. He gained 7 yards on 4 carries though he did have a 17 yard first down run in the first quarter. His total yardage was brought down by two second half runs where he lost 13 yards. He also had 1 reception for 6 yards. Tyrod came in for Joe Flacco during a blowout loss to the New England Patriots. On his very first snap, Gino Gradkowski snapped it too far to the right, and was recovered by New England for a touchdown. He finished completing 1 of 4 passes for 2 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown.

2012: (7/0, 0/0) Established career highs in passing attempts (29), completions (17), passing yards (179), rushing attempts (14), rushing yards (73) and rushing TDs (1)

• Saw the most extenisve action of his career and set career highs in every category, going 15-of-25 for 149 yards and rushing 9 times for 65 yards and his first-career TD in game 16 at Cin. (12/30)
• Saw action from scrimmage (lined up at WR) in the victory over the Chiefs in game 5 at KC (10/7) and game 4 vs. Cle. (9/27)
• Was active, but did not play in all four playoff contests

2011: (3/0, 0/0) Saw action in three games, completing his only pass attempt (for 18 yards), and rushed 1 time for 2 yards

• Saw his first extensive action at QB and completed his first-career pass attempt (Anquan Boldin) for 18 yards in game 14 at SD (12/18)
• Saw action in his first-career NFL game and carried the ball 1 time for 2 yards as a part of the Ravens’ “Wildcat” package in game 12 at Cle. (12/4)

College: Set school records for career total offense (9,213 yards), career passing yards (7,017 yards), career rushing yards by a QB (2,196), career wins by a starting QB (34), career rushing TDs by a QB (23) and TD passes in a season (24 in 2010)...Played in 50 games (42 starts) as a Hokie...Finished his career with 495 completions (865 attempts) for 7,017 yards and 44 TDs...Also rushed 501 times for 2,196 yards and 23 TDs...Compiled a 34-8 record as a starter, including four bowl berths and three appearances in the ACC Championship game...Named ACC Player of the Year after setting career highs in every category, completing 188-of-315 for 2,743 yards and a school record 24 passing TDs in 14 games as a senior in 2010...Also carried the ball 146 times for 659 yards and 5 TDs as he led the Hokies to the ACC Championship and a berth in the Orange Bowl...Completed 136 of 243 passes for 2,311 yards and 13 TDs in 13 games as a junior in 2009...Also rushed 106 times for 370 yards and 5 TDs while leading the Hokies to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (defeated Tennessee 37-14)...Opened the season as a redshirt but saw the decision reversed in 2008...Completed 99 of 173 passes for 1,036 yards and 2 TDs as a sophomore...Also rushed 147 times for 738 yards and a career-high 7 TDs while leading Virginia Tech to an Orange Bowl victory (20-7 over Cincinnati)... Completed 72 of his 134 passing attempts for 927 yards and 5 TDs after entering the season as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart as a freshman in 2007...Also rushed 102 times for 429 yards and 6 TDs as a freshman...Majored in apparel, housing and resource management at Virginia Tech.

Community: Hosted the inaugural “Tyrod Taylor Free Youth Football Camp” in Hampton, VA in June 2013...In Oct. 2012, Taylor and teammates visited with patients at Franklin Square Medical Center who are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer...The players signed autographs and distributed pink footballs and hats...Hosted a Thanksgiving lunch in downtown Baltimore for a Baltimore City high school football team...Participated in a holiday party for critically ill children with Casey Cares...Filmed a public service announcement in Jan. 2012 in support of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in his hometown of the Tidewater, VA.... Supported his teammates’ community outreach initiatives by participating in Torrey Smith’s All-Star Basketball Game, Anquan Boldin’s annual Q-Festival Weekend, Vonta Leach’s Celebrity Billiards Event, Lardarius Webb’s Charity Bowling Classic and Jameel McClain’s Thanksgiving Dinner at the Salvation Army...Participated in A Purple Evening, the Ravens annual women’s event at M&T Bank Stadium.

High School, Personal: Prepped at Hampton (VA) HS, earning PARADE All-American honors as an all-purpose player...Rated the No. 1 dual- threat QB in the nation by Rivals.com as he accounted for 7,690 yards of total offense and 100 TDs...Passed for 5,144 yards and 44 TDs while rushing for 2,546 yards and 56 scores...A two-time first-team All-State performer who finished his senior year with over 2,300 total yards and 36 TDs...Completed 85 of 164 passes for 1,538 yards and 15 TDs with just 4 INTs and ran for 788 yards and 21 scores...Named the 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia as a senior, as well as first-team All-State by the Associated Press as a utility player...Earned first-team All-State honors by the VHSCA as a QB and first-team QB and a second-team DB on the Daily Press All-Stars Football team...Earned Associated Press and VHSCA first team All-State honors after he rushed for 1,044 yards and 21 TDs while passing for 1,544 yards and 9 scores as a junior, leading Hampton to its 17th state championship... Also named Offensive Player of the Year and first-team QB on the Daily Press All-Stars football team...Rated the No. 16 player in the country on the ESPN 150 and the No. 20 overall nationally and the No. 1 athlete in the country by SuperPrep...Ranked the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia by The Roanoke Times, Rivals, SuperPrep and Scout...Listed as the No. 4 QB in the country by Scout...An All-America and All-Atlantic Region selection by PrepStar.