Fred Strickland

Fredrick William Strickland, Jr. (born August 15, 1966) is a former American football linebacker who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League from 1988 to 1999. He played college football at Purdue University.

Early years

Strickland accepted a scholarship from Purdue University, where he was a 3-year starter and a member of the 1984 Peach Bowl team; he was selected 1st Team All-Big Ten as a Senior and 2nd Team All-Big Ten as a junior. He appeared in the Blue-Gray Game and finished his college career in second place in school history in total tackles (479) and first place in solo tackles (321); he also led the Boilermakers in tackles in 3 straight seasons (1985-87).

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Strickland was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (47th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft. He became a starter in his second season, registering 63 tackles (fifth on the team), 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 6 passes defensed.

In 1990, the Rams took advantage of his versatility as a player, creating a position called "nose linebacker", that rushed the quarterback, dropped back in coverage and took on offensive lineman in the running game.^[1] On October 15, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a fractured leg.^[2]

In 1992, he was a backup at linebacker.

Minnesota Vikings

In 1993, he was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings. He finished with 15 starts at right inside linebacker and 137 tackles (second on the team), on a defense that was ranked number 1 in the league.^[3]

Green Bay Packers

After the retirement of linebackers Johnny Holland and Brian Noble, he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers, reuniting with his former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. He left after two seasons of being the starter at middle linebacker.

Dallas Cowboys

After losing linebackers Robert Jones and Dixon Edwards to free agency, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent on March 11, 1996.^[4] He was named the starter at middle linebacker and recorded 153 tackles (led the team) on a defense that was ranked number 3 in the league. On November 24, he had a career-high 20 tackles against the New York Giants.

In 1998, he registered 117 tackles (third on the team). On February 11, 1999, he was released after he was passed on the depth chart by third year player Randall Godfrey.^[5]

Washington Redskins

On March 27, 1999, he signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent.^[6] He was the backup at middle linebacker to Derek Smith, before being placed on the injured reserve list on October 26.^[7] The next year, he was tried at outside linebacker, until being released before the start of the season.

Strickland played 12 seasons in the NFL; averaging 3.6 tackles per game. Strickland appeared in 161 games (111 starts) in five seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, two with the Green Bay Packers, one with the Minnesota Vikings and one season with the Washington Redskins. He finished with 580 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

References