James Hall life and biography

James Hall is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League.

Pro Highlights:
Re-signed as a free agent by St. Louis (3/25/08)…acquired by St. Louis from Detroit in exchange for a 2007 fifth-round draft choice (3/2/07)…placed on reserve/injured list (11/9/06)…re-signed as an unrestricted free agent by Detroit (3/5/04)…re-signed as a restricted free agent by Detroit (5/28/03)…re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent by Detroit (7/12/02)…signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Detroit (4/28/00).

PRO:
Tenth-year veteran has totaled 42.0 career sacks…has tallied 455 career tackles (295 solo)…produced a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2004 with the Lions…two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week award winner for performances at Atlanta (10/10/04) and vs. Buffalo (10/15/06).

2008 SEASON: Played in 16 games with two starts…led the Rams with 6.5 sacks…Week 1 at Philadelphia (9/7): Notched a career-high 10 tackles (six solo)…forced one fumble…Week 7 vs. Dallas (10/19): Recorded 1.5 sacks…first multi-sack game as a Ram…Week 9 vs. Arizona (11/2): Registered seven tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sack.

2007 SEASON: Started 15 games at right defensive end for the Rams despite dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries…59 total tackles tied for first among Rams’ defensive linemen.

2006 SEASON: Started all seven games he played before being placed on the reserve/injured list with a shoulder injury…vs. Buffalo (10/15): Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors with a season-high 3.0 sacks, eight tackles (five solo), and one forced fumble…fifth career multiple-sack game.

2005 SEASON: Slowed by groin injury early in season but rebounded to notch 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in last four games of season…at Green Bay (12/11): Recorded nine tackles (seven solo) with 1.0 sack…at New Orleans (12/24): Tied for team-high with seven tackles (six solo), adding 1.0 sack and two forced fumbles.

2004 SEASON: Earned Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player Award in voting by teammates…played season with broken hand suffered in season opener at Chicago (9/12)…tallied a career-high 11.5 sacks, tied for seventh in the NFL (tied for sixth in the NFC)…at Atlanta (10/10): Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after making 1.0 sack, and forcing and recovering the same fumble in the final minute to preserve win…vs. Arizona (12/5): Notched his first career interception for 30-yard return and added 1.0 sack.

2003 SEASON: Started all 16 games for first time in career…established a career-high with 78 tackles…at Chicago (10/26): Made four solo tackles, 1.0 sack, and a blocked field goal on an attempt by Bears’ K Paul Edinger.

2002 SEASON: Played in all 16 games, starting 14…at Miami (9/8): Made first career start in season opener, making four tackles…vs. New Orleans (9/29): Registered six tackles, 1.0 sack, one pass defensed, and a fumble recovery returned 22 yards for a touchdown.

2001 SEASON: Became an integral part of Lions’ defense, playing in 15 games…vs. Green Bay (11/22): Scored first NFL touchdown, returning Packers’ QB Brett Favre fumble 8 yards for the score…at Tampa Bay (12/9): Tallied a career-high 3.5 sacks, notching six tackles (four solo).

2000 SEASON: Joined the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent, playing in five games…at New York Giants (11/19): Made first career sack in his second game…also forced a fumble and added one pass defensed.

College Highlights:
Three-year starter for the Michigan Wolverines, notching 185 tackles and 25.0 sacks, second in school history…started final 33 games of collegiate career…third-team All-America choice by The Sporting News as a senior, also garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and was a Butkus Award semifinalist…All-Big Ten second-team selection as a junior with career-highs in tackles (63) and sacks (team-high 11.0)…sports marketing and administration major.

Personal :
Earned All-State honors as a senior at St. Augustine High in New Orleans…named 13th-best defensive line prospect in the country by Prep Football Report…produced 67 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and one interception as a senior…spent 2004 offseason interning at the University of Michigan athletic department…established a scholarship at Michigan for former players to return to campus to complete their degrees…organized Victors Night event for former players to return to Michigan campus and reconnect with program…created a scholarship at St. Augustine High for students from single-parent households.

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