Freddie Roach was just released by the Patriots. For those of you who aren't familiar with Roach, he was a standout linebacker for Alabama and signed as an UDFA with New England in May. Two things stand out here - the first is the SEC connection. Coach Saban saw Roach play in college and likes what he brings to the table (good work ethic, hustle, hard hitting - just what you want in a linebacker). The second is that we offered Freddie Roach a contract after the draft this year and his decision came down to the Patriots and us. Here is his bio courtesy of www.patriots.com:
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Freddie Roach LB
Height: 6-2 Weight: 250
Year: R
Acquired: FA-06
School: Alabama
Major: Human Environmental Sciences
Born: Jun 3, 1983
Personal
Freddie is the son of Linda and Frederick Roach. He has three brothers, Will Roach, Tim and Quentin Bowens. Born 6-3-83. He is a Human Environmental Sciences major.
Career Transactions
Freddie Roach was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 8, 2006.
College
2005 (Senior): A member of the Tide’s stalwart linebacking corps, Roach started every game for the Tide his senior season. He tied for the active team leader for consecutive games played with 50. By the end of his collegiate career, Roach ranked 10th on Alabama’s all-time tackle list with 272 career stops. He was third on the team in tackles in 2005 with 66 and led the defense with nine pass break-ups. Roach recorded a season high 11 tackles against Arkansas and also had three PBUs. He had a nine-tackle game against Tennessee and Auburn while making eight stops against Mississippi State. Roach helped anchor a defense that finished the 2005 season ranked first in scoring defense, second in total defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense and pass defense and ninth in rushing defense.
2004 (Junior): A starter in the final six games of the season, Freddie saw action in every game and finished with 548 snaps on the season. He played 76 snaps against Minnesota in the Music City Bowl. Roach was the Tide's fourth-leading tackler, turning in 57 stops on the season. He also had nine stops behind the line for 26 yards and two sacks for 10 yards. He added five quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass break-up. He had nine tackles and two stops behind the line for six yards against LSU; nine tackles against Minnesota and eight tackles versus South Carolina. Freddie began the season as a back-up to Cornelius Wortham at middle linebacker, but moved to starter at the weak side after an injury to Juwan Garth. He averaged 5.5 tackles in his starting role.
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Now let's be realistic. He doesn't have great stopwatch speed (I believe he ran in the 4.85 - 4.9 range at the combine) and he did go undrafted and was just released by a team that is so desparate for help they signed a 47 year old Junior Seau. I'm not saying Roach would be a starter or even make the team. I'm just thinking he might be brought in for a workout or offered a contract, since Coach Saban has been interested in him for some time. It just depends on how much confidence Saban has in Mike Labinjo.
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Freddie Roach LB
Height: 6-2 Weight: 250
Year: R
Acquired: FA-06
School: Alabama
Major: Human Environmental Sciences
Born: Jun 3, 1983
Personal
Freddie is the son of Linda and Frederick Roach. He has three brothers, Will Roach, Tim and Quentin Bowens. Born 6-3-83. He is a Human Environmental Sciences major.
Career Transactions
Freddie Roach was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 8, 2006.
College
2005 (Senior): A member of the Tide’s stalwart linebacking corps, Roach started every game for the Tide his senior season. He tied for the active team leader for consecutive games played with 50. By the end of his collegiate career, Roach ranked 10th on Alabama’s all-time tackle list with 272 career stops. He was third on the team in tackles in 2005 with 66 and led the defense with nine pass break-ups. Roach recorded a season high 11 tackles against Arkansas and also had three PBUs. He had a nine-tackle game against Tennessee and Auburn while making eight stops against Mississippi State. Roach helped anchor a defense that finished the 2005 season ranked first in scoring defense, second in total defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense and pass defense and ninth in rushing defense.
2004 (Junior): A starter in the final six games of the season, Freddie saw action in every game and finished with 548 snaps on the season. He played 76 snaps against Minnesota in the Music City Bowl. Roach was the Tide's fourth-leading tackler, turning in 57 stops on the season. He also had nine stops behind the line for 26 yards and two sacks for 10 yards. He added five quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass break-up. He had nine tackles and two stops behind the line for six yards against LSU; nine tackles against Minnesota and eight tackles versus South Carolina. Freddie began the season as a back-up to Cornelius Wortham at middle linebacker, but moved to starter at the weak side after an injury to Juwan Garth. He averaged 5.5 tackles in his starting role.
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Now let's be realistic. He doesn't have great stopwatch speed (I believe he ran in the 4.85 - 4.9 range at the combine) and he did go undrafted and was just released by a team that is so desparate for help they signed a 47 year old Junior Seau. I'm not saying Roach would be a starter or even make the team. I'm just thinking he might be brought in for a workout or offered a contract, since Coach Saban has been interested in him for some time. It just depends on how much confidence Saban has in Mike Labinjo.
That a joke. Relax fellas.
