Jason Hatcher
 Hatcher in 2014. | |
| No. 97 Washington Redskins | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive end |
Personal information | |
| Date of birth: | July 13, 1982 |
| Place of birth: | Alexandria, Louisiana |
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight: | 299 lb (136 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Jena (LA) |
| College: | Grambling State |
| NFL draft: | 2006 / Round: 3 / Pick: 92 |
Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2014 | |
| Tackles: | 230 |
| Quarterback sacks: | 32.5 |
| Pass deflections: | 8 |
| Interceptions: | 1 |
| Forced fumbles: | 4 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
Jason Dewayne Hatcher (born July 13, 1982) is an American football defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Grambling State.
Early years
Hatcher was born in Alexandria, Louisiana and was raised in Jena and attended Jena High School where he lettered in football and basketball. As a senior, he helped his team to a 10-3 record and earned All-State honors after catching 28 passes for 1,028 yards as a wide receiver and tight end.
College career
Hatcher attended Grambling State University where he majored in physical education. As a true freshman, he was ruled academically ineligible because he didn't meet the NCAA requirements. In 2002, he was granted a medical redshirt after rupturing his right ACL.
In 2003, as a sophomore he started at tight end and caught one pass for 14 yards and a two-point conversion before being gradually converted to defensive end midway through the season. After the switch he earned a starting position, recorded 13 tackles, three sacks and one pass broken up. In 2004, as a junior, he played his first full season at defensive end and finishing with 33 tackles, 10 for losses and five sacks.
As a senior he helped his team win the conference title with an undefeated record (9-0) and a co-Black college football national championship (11-1 overall), while having an outstanding year of his own, recording 65 tackles and 10 sacks, and being named an all-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection. He finished his college career with 111 tackles, 31.5 for losses and 18.5 sacks.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Hatcher was drafted in the 3rd round (92nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. His selection at the time was questioned because of his lack of production in college, but the team was high on his athletic ability and potential for their 3–4 defense.
As a rookie, Hatcher played in 14 games, missing two with a sprained ankle. For the season, he recorded 13 tackles, one for a loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2007, he played in all 16 games and recorded 35 tackles, three for losses and two sacks, while forcing one fumble. In 2008, Hatcher recorded 36 tackles, one for a loss, one pass broken up and one sack. In 2009, he played in all 16 games and recorded 29 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.
For the most part of his career with the Cowboys he was a reserve player (his first start was in 2010) and seen as a disappointment, until he re-signed with the team in 2011 after not receiving much interest in the free agent market. That season with the arrival of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, he established himself as one of the team starters at defensive end, ahead of Marcus Spears and improved his overall play, compiling a career high in tackles (36) and sacks (4.5).
The next year he was the Cowboys best defensive lineman and the only one to start all 16 games, on a defense decimated by injuries. He registered 4 sacks and career-highs with 51 tackles and 29 quarterback pressures (second in the NFL among interior linemen).[1]
In 2013, he was set to play at the one-technique left defensive tackle position in the team's new 4-3 defense, but Jay Ratliff allegedly never recovered from his injuries and later forced his release from the team. He would end up starting 15 games as the three-technique right defensive tackle and showing a dominant play, while finishing a career-year with 48 tackles (7 for loss), 11 sacks (most by a Cowboys’ defensive tackle since Randy White 12.5 in 1984), 33 quarterback pressures and being named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for an injured Haloti Ngata.
Washington Redskins
After eight seasons with the Cowboys, Hatcher signed a four-year $27.5 million contract on March 14, 2014, to play defensive end in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense.[2] In training camp he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and missed two weeks.[3] He would also injure his right knee during the regular season and after being inactive in weeks 15 through 16, he was placed on the injured reserve list on December 27.[4] He finished with 25 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 26 quarterback pressures.
Personal life
Hatcher and his wife Natasha have two sons, DiCarlos and Jason, Jr. and one daughter, Tamia. He is best friends with fellow defensive end, Stephen Bowen.[5]
References
- ↑ http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-RowanKavner/Roster-Rundown-Hatcher-Searches-For-Fit-In-New-Scheme/428aebab-7bce-4199-b374-5226eef0729b
- ↑ Boyer, Zac (March 14, 2014). "Jason Hatcher: Redskins ‘blew the doors off me’". WashingtonTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
- ↑ "Jason Hatcher to have surgery". ESPN.com. June 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
- ↑ Jones, Mike (December 27, 2014). "Redskins place Jason Hatcher on IR, claim Travian Robertson". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
- ↑ JONES, MIKE (April 30, 2014). "Stephen Bowen is confident in his ability to return, and remain a starter". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
External links
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