Bradie James life and biography

Bradie James is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

PRO:
While developing into one of the NFL's most productive middle linebackers, Bradie James has also become a leader for the Dallas Cowboys - both on the field and in the locker room. James was once again selected as a defensive captain in 2009 after coming off his best season as a pro in 2008. In 2009 he led the team in tackles for the fifth consecutive season, posting 181 to go with two sacks, five tackles for losses, 10 pressures and five pass breakups after establishing career-highs in 2008 in tackles (202), sacks (8.0), tackles for loss (eight) and forced fumbles (three). James' five straight seasons of leading the team in tackles is the longest such streak in club history while his five overall seasons is also a club-high since the franchise started compiling tackle stats in 1979. In 2009 James led or tied for the team lead in tackles 13 times and posted double-digit tackle totals a personal-best 12 times. James played an integral role on a defense that helped the team capture its 17th NFC East Division title, 21st overall division title, and the first playoff win by the team since 1996. In 2008 James became only the second Dallas defender (Eugene Lockhart - 222 in 1989) to reach 200 tackles in a season as he either led or tied for the team lead in tackles nine times and posted 11 double-digit tackle games. Selected as a defensive captain for the first time by his teammates in 2007, James was a key performer in a defense that helped Dallas tie the club record for regular season victories (13), while bringing home its first division title since 1998. He is again slotted to be starting next to seasoned veteran Keith Brooking to form one of the NFL's top tandems at the middle linebacker position. His size, strength and instincts make him one of the more devastating tacklers in the NFL, and he has averaged 150.8 tackles-per-season since taking over as a starter. He has not missed a game, or a start, since becoming the full-time starting middle linebacker in 2005. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, he backed up Pro Bowl outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in the 4-3 scheme in his first two seasons and showed solid playmaking ability as a standout special teams performer in 2003 and 2004. James should continue to be a key figure for many years in one of the NFL's most promising and productive defenses as he is a dedicated professional who understands and embraces his leadership role on the team.

2009:
# Finished with 181 tackles to lead the team in tackles for the fifth straight season - the longest leading tackle streak in club history and the most times a single player has led the team in tackles since the team first started keeping tackle statistics in 1979.
# Also named as one of the club's defensive team captains for the third consecutive season.
# Added 2.0 sacks, five tackles for losses, 10 pressures five breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
# Had 12 double-digit tackle games on the season to give him 38 for his career and led or tied for the team lead in 13 of the 16 games in 2009 and in 22 of the last 29 games.
# Opened the season at Tampa Bay (9/13) with a team-best 12 tackles then tied for the team lead with 11 stops, two pressures and a breakup in the Cowboys Stadium opener against the N.Y. Giants (9/20).
# Had a team-best nine tackles while shutting out the Panthers (9/28) in the second half in the first win at Cowboys Stadium.
# For the fourth straight game led the team in tackles, tallying 12 to go with his first sack of the season, a tackle for a loss and a fumble recovery at Denver (10/4).
# In the overtime win at Kansas City (10/11), had 14 tackles - second on the defense - and two quarterback pressures.
# Led the team with 14 tackles playing in his 100th career game in the win against Atlanta (10/25).
# Had his sixth double-digit tackle game of the season with 10 to go along with a breakup and a forced fumble against Seattle (11/1).
# Led the team the next two weeks with 13 tackles at Green Bay (11/15) and 12 against Washington (11/22).
# Had his eighth consecutive double-digit tackle game with 10 on Thanksgiving Day against Oakland (11/26).
# Finished with a team-high nine tackles at the N.Y. Giants (12/6) before making six stops against San Diego (12/13).
# At previously undefeated New Orleans (12/19), led the team with 12 tackles - his 11th 10-plus tackle game of the season - with one tackle for a loss, one breakup and one pressure as the Saints were held to one-of-seven on third down.
# In the playoff clinching win at Washington (12/27), led the team with a season-best 15 tackles with one pressure as the defense forced a shutout for the first time since a 27-0 win at Washington (12/14/03).
# Played a key part in Dallas' first-ever back-to-back shutout performance, leading the club with six tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and a pressure as the Cowboys clinched their 17th NFC East Division Title.
# Tied for the team lead with seven tackles along with three pressures, a forced fumble and a sack in the Wild Card Playoff win against Philadelphia (1/9/10).
# Tied for the team lead in tackles (11) in the Divisional Playoff loss at Minnesota (1/17/10).

2008:
# Was elected by his teammates as one of the defensive team captains for the second consecutive year.
# For the fourth straight year, led the team in tackles, posting a career-high 202 stops.
# One of just two Dallas defenders (Eugene Lockhart, 222 in 1989) to eclipse 200 tackles in a season.
# Tied for the team lead with eight tackles for losses, second with three forced fumbles and tied for second with a career-high 8.0 sacks.
# In the season opener at Cleveland (9/7), finished second on the team with eight tackles and added one tackle for a loss as the defense limited the Browns to just 205 total yards.
# Led the team with 12 tackles at Green Bay (9/21) as the defense held its opponent to less than 100 total rushing yards for the third straight week.
# Posted a career-high 18 tackles against Washington (9/28) as he led the team in tackles for the second week.
# Finished with 12 tackles, his fourth double-digit tackle game of the season, good for second on the team at St. Louis (10/19). Also added his first sack of the season - an 11-yard takedown of Marc Bulger.
# Against Tampa Bay (10/26) recorded a sack for the second consecutive week, added 15 tackles for his third consecutive double-digit tackle game and had one quarterback pressure - his first of the season. Also recorded his 500th career tackle in the game in which the defense did not allow a touchdown.
# Led the team with 16 tackles along with one pass breakup and a sack - his third consecutive game with a sack - tying the longest streak of his career - at the N.Y. Giants (11/2).
# Again led the team in tackles at Washington (11/16) with 15 stops - his fifth consecutive double-digit tackle game. Added one tackle for a loss and one quarterback pressure.
# Had a career day against Seattle (11/27) as he led the team with 18 tackles - tying his season and career-high and added two sacks - the first multi-sack game of his career - establishing a single-season career-high with five sacks. Also had one pass deflection and a forced fumble.
# At Pittsburgh (12/7) led the team with 14 tackles along with a two-yard tackle for loss on a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
# Against the N.Y. Giants (12/14) tied for the team lead with nine tackles along with one sack, a tackle for loss and one pass breakup.
# In the final game at Texas Stadium, led the team with 17 tackles and added one tackle for a loss, one pressure and one sack - his seventh of the season - against Baltimore (12/20).
# Led the team with 14 tackles - his 11th double-digit-tackle game of the season - at Philadelphia (12/28). Added one sack - upping his single-season career-best to 8.0 - along with one tackle for a loss, two pressures and a forced fumble.

2007:

# Elected by his teammates as the defensive captain for the 2007 season.
# Was the team leader in tackles for the third straight year, posting 130 stops - his third straight season of 100-or-more tackles.
# Finished with seven double-digit tackle games and led or tied for the team lead in tackles eight times.
# Tied for fourth on the team with a career-high three sacks.
# Helped the defensive unit finish the season ninth in the NFL (fourth in the NFC) in total defense after allowing an average of 307.6 yards-per-game.
# The club was also sixth in the NFL in defense against the run (third in the NFC) as the Cowboys allowed an average of 94.6 yards-per-game on the ground.
# Opened the season by leading the team in tackles (10) in the Sunday night win over the N.Y. Giants (9/9).
# At Miami (9/16) led the team with eight tackles and recorded his first sack since at Philadelphia (11/4/05).
# At Chicago (9/23) led the team in tackles with 11 stops.
# Against St. Louis (9/30) was the team leader in tackles (11) for the third straight week as the Rams offense was held to 187 total yards and no points.
# In the last second win at Buffalo (10/8), tied for the team lead in tackles with nine stops and added a quarterback pressure as the defense held the Bills offense without a touchdown.
# Against Minnesota (10/21) led the team with 11 tackles and added his second sack of the season. Also had a fumble recovery that was forced by Jason Hatcher and led to a field goal and a 10-point Dallas lead.
# At Philadelphia (11/4) had five solo stops (one for a loss of five-yards) and recovered a fumble on the opening drive.
# Tied for the team lead in tackles with a season-high 12 stops in the win at the N.Y. Giants (11/11).
# With four stops in the win over Green Bay (11/29), surpassed 100 tackles for the season - marking his third consecutive 100-tackle season.
# Against Philadelphia (12/16) picked up his third sack of the season, setting a then single-season career-best.
# Registered his 400th career tackle in the win at Carolina (12/22).

2006:

# Was the team leader in tackles for the second straight year with a then career-high 132 tackles.
# Had at least 10 tackles in seven games and led the team or tied for the team lead in tackles nine times.
# Ranked fourth on the team (first among linebackers) with nine pass breakups.
# In the home-opening win over Washington (9/17), tied for the team lead with six tackles and broke up a pass while helping limit the Redskins to one field goal.
# In the 45-14 win at Tennessee (10/1), had his first career interception and returned it 15 yards for his first career touchdown. Also had six tackles, a tackle for a loss and forced a fumble that the Titans recovered.
# Led the team with 11 tackles in the 34-6 win over Houston (10/15). Also broke up a pass, which Greg Ellis intercepted, setting up a Dallas touchdown drive.
# In the Monday night loss to the N.Y. Giants (10/23), had five tackles and recovered his first career fumble.
# At Carolina (10/29) led the team with 11 tackles, as the Panthers were held to 204 total yards, including just 50 rushing yards by DeShaun Foster.
# At Arizona (11/12) recorded a season-high 13 tackles to lead the team in tackles for the fourth time. Also deflected two passes.
# In the victory over previously undefeated Indianapolis (11/19), tied for the team lead with seven tackles and recovered a fumble when Peyton Manning was sacked by Jay Ratliff. Also had two tackles for a loss. In the first quarter, he tackled Marvin Harrison and forced a fumble, which Ratliff recovered. Helped limit the Colts to a season-low 14 points.
# In the Thanksgiving Day win over Tampa Bay (11/23), had a team-high 12 tackles.
# In the wild card loss at Seattle (1/6/07), led Dallas with 12 tackles and helped limit Shaun Alexander to 69 yards on 24 carries (2.9 yards-per-carry).

2005:
# Enjoyed a breakout year, making the transition from special teams player to starting middle linebacker to lead the Cowboys with 109 tackles.
# Led the team in tackles in seven of the 16 regular season games and finished third with four tackles for a loss.
# Also registered the first 2.5 sacks of his career, which ranked fourth on the club.
# In the season opener at San Diego (9/11), made his first start at inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and recorded five tackles and a quarterback pressure.
# In the win over Philadelphia (10/9), led the team with five tackles and broke up a pass in the end zone. The Eagles were limited to 129 total yards, including 19 rushing yards, the fourth-lowest rushing total ever by a Dallas opponent.
# In the last-minute loss at Seattle (10/23), recorded his first career sack, a seven-yard trap of Matt Hasselbeck that ended a Seahawks drive in the second quarter. Also tipped a pass that turned into a Terence Newman interception in Seattle's opening drive.
# In the Monday night win at Philadelphia (11/14), led the team with a career-high 15 tackles, the highest single-game total of the season by a Cowboy. Also added a sack in the red zone in the fourth quarter, forcing the Eagles to kick a field goal. On the game's pivotal play, Roy Williams intercepted Donovan McNabb, and James blocked McNabb to clear a path for Williams to score a touchdown.
# In the win over Detroit (11/20), had eight tackles to lead the team for the second straight week.
# At the N.Y. Giants (12/4) led the team with 10 tackles, his second game of the season with at least 10 tackles, and also had a tackle for a loss.
# At Washington (12/18) led the team with 12 tackles, his second-best total in a game in 2005 and his third game in six weeks with at least 10 tackles.

2004:
# Continued to showcase his defensive abilities while being primarily used as a solid and productive special teams performer.
# Also split some time at weakside linebacker with Coakley.
# Finished the year with 38 tackles, two quarterback pressures, and a pass deflection.
# Led the team with a career-high 24 special teams stops, the most by a Cowboy since Charlie Williams had 26 in 1997.
# Helped limit opponents to a league-low 17.5 yards-per-kickoff return.
# In the season opener at Minnesota (9/12), split time with Coakley and finished second on the team with a season-high eight tackles.
# Against Cleveland (9/19) logged three special teams tackles and helped limit the Browns to a 7.0-yard average on three kickoff returns.
# Made his first NFL start at Green Bay (10/24) when the Packers opened in a two-tight end formation and finished the game with seven tackles.
# Made his second career start at Baltimore (11/21) and posted three tackles. Also tied for the team lead with three special teams stops against the Ravens.
# Against Chicago (11/25) on Thanksgiving Day, had three special teams tackles and helped limit the Bears to a 15.5-yard average on four kickoff returns.
# In Dallas' come-from-behind victory in a Monday night game at Seattle (12/6), was second on the team with three special teams stops and deflected his first career pass.

2003:
# As a rookie, was a backup linebacker and became a prominent special teams player.
# Finished fourth on the team with 16 special teams tackles.
# Inactive the first two games of the year.
# Made NFL debut at the N.Y. Jets (9/28) and had two special teams tackles.
# At Detroit (10/19) played on defense for the first time and recorded a fourth quarter tackle.
# Against Carolina (11/23) forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, which Roy Williams recovered and returned to the Panthers 18-yard line. Dallas kicked a field goal and went on to win, 24-20.
# At Washington (12/14) led the team with three special teams stops, including one on a Redskins fake punt.

COLLEGE

# A two-time All-SEC selection as a linebacker at LSU.
# After his senior year in college, was named a National Scholar Athlete by the National Football Foundation and was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
# Finished second on the school's all-time tackle list with 418 career stops, including 33 tackles for a loss.
# Also had 29 quarterback pressures, 14 sacks, eight pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
# Played weakside linebacker his first three seasons and moved to middle linebacker as a senior, when he earned All-America and All-SEC honors.
# Set the LSU single-season tackle record with 154 stops as a senior.
# As a junior, earned All-SEC honors after finishing second on the team with 113 tackles. LSU went 10-3 and won the SEC title and Sugar Bowl.
# As a sophomore, earned second-team All-SEC honors after finishing second on the team and third in the conference with 110 tackles. Led the team with five sacks.

PERSONAL

# Bradie Gene James attended West Monroe, La., High School.
# Earned Parade All-America honors as well as all-state, Class 5A defensive MVP and district defensive MVP honors after recording 136 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries as a senior.
# Helped lead West Monroe to a state championship and made Louisiana Football Magazine's All-Louisiana Team, the New Orleans Times Picayune's Top-20 blue chip list and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 list.
# Graduated from LSU with a degree in criminology.
# Participated in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, attending the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
# James and his wife, Star, were married on May 30, 2009.

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