Justin Bannan life and biography

• A ninth-year defensive lineman in his first year with the Broncos after being part of a Baltimore defense during the last four seasons that ranked first in the NFL in yards per carry (3.3), second in rushing yards (82.4 ypg.) and second in total yards (281.8 ypg.).
• Owns 230 career tackles (138 solo) and has appeared in at least 15 games five times during his NFL career with Buffalo (2002-05) and Baltimore (2006-09).
• Played all 16 games for the second consecutive season with the Ravens in 2009, helping the defense lead the NFL in yards per rush (3.4) and rank third in the league scoring defense (16.3 ppg.).
• Started a career-high 15 games for the Ravens in 2008, totaling a personal-best 56 tackles (30 solo) to help the club advance to the AFC Championship Game.
• Contributed to a Baltimore defense in 2007 that limited opponents to the fourth-lowest yards per rush average (2.8) since the 1970 NFL merger.
• Appeared in all 16 games (7 starts) during his final year with the Bills in 2005, registering 38 tackles (28 solo) and 1.5 sacks.
• Named first-team All-Big 12 Conference as a senior at the University of Colorado, where he was a four-year starter.
• Joined the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2010.
• Selected by Buffalo in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by Buffalo as a draft choice 6/21/02; Signed by Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent 3/14/06; Placed on injured reserve (toe) by Baltimore 12/4/06; Signed by Denver as an unrestricted free agent 3/5/10.

QUICKLY: The ninth-year defensive lineman joined the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2010 after being part of a Baltimore defense that ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed per carry (3.3), second in rushing yards (82.4 ypg.) and second in total yards (281.8 ypg.) from 2006-09.

2010: In the team's home opener versus Seattle (9/19) he brought down Seattle RB Justin Forsett short of the first-down mark on a third-down attempt that led to a turnover on downs after the Seahawks' fourth-down attempt was unsuccessful... Registered one hit on QB Vince Young, combined with LB D.J. Williams to stop RB Chris Johnson short of the chains on a third-down attempt in the first quarter, and teamed up with LB Mario Haggan to tackle RB Chris Johnson after a two-yard gain on a third-and-6 attempt in the fourth quarter at Tennessee (10/3).

2009: Bannan appeared in all 16 games (2 starts) for the second consecutive season for Baltimore, totaling 37 tackles (23 solo) to help the Ravens lead the NFL in yards per rushing attempt (3.4) and place third in the league in both total yards (300.5 ypg.) and total points (16.3 ppg.)... Appeared in both of the Ravens’ playoff contests, registering one tackle in their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Ind. (1/16).

2008: Bannan started a personal-best 15 games and appeared in all 16 contests for the Ravens, registering a career-high 56 tackles (30 solo), one sack (6 yds.), one interception and three pass breakups... Totaled 11 tackles (9 solo) in three postseason starts, helping the team reach the AFC Championship Game... Helped Baltimore rank second in the NFL in yards per game (261.1), third in yards per play (4.5), third in rushing average (3.6) and fifth in rushing yards per game (81.4)... Posted at least four tackles eight times during the regular season and in both playoff games... Intercepted his first pass vs. Ten. (10/5).

2007: Bannan played 15 games (1 start) for Baltimore, registering 37 tackles (19 solo), two sacks (4 yds.) and one forced fumble... Helped the Ravens lead the NFL by allowing only 2.8 yards per rush that marked the fourth-lowest such mark for a season since the 1970 NFL merger.

2006: Bannan, who joined Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent on March 14, totaled 20 tackles (13 solo) and one forced fumble in 11 games (1 start) before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 4 with a toe injury.

2005: In his fourth season with the Bills, Bannan totaled 38 tackles (28 solo) and 1.5 sacks (11.5 yds.) while playing all 16 games (7 starts) for the first time in his career.

2004: Bannan played 10 games (0 starts) for the Bills, posting one solo tackle... Saw action as an offensive guard in goal-line situations.

2003: Bannan appeared in the final 14 games (1 start) for Buffalo after being declared inactive for the first two contests of the season... Finished the year with 11 tackles (6 solo)... Made his first NFL start in place of Sam Adams (ankle) at NYJ (10/12).

2002: Selected by Buffalo in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft, Bannan played 15 games (0 starts) for the Bills as a rookie and totaled 30 tackles (18 solo), one sack (7 yds.) and one fumble recovery... Posted his first NFL sack with a takedown of David Carr at Hou. (10/13).

COLLEGE:
Bannan started during all four years at the University of Colorado and did not miss a game during his final three years... Finished his career with 158 tackles (103 solo), eight sacks (40 yds.) and 26 tackles for a loss (87 yds.)... Earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors from the league’s coaches and second-team all-conference accolades from the Associated Press as a senior... Received the Regiment Award, given by coaches to the player who made the greatest contribution with the least recognition, as a senior.

PERSONAL:
Bannan played a total of eight different positions and earned All-America honors as a senior at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, Calif.... Selected as the Sacramento City Defensive Player of the Year as a senior... Selected as team captain three times... Named the team’s defensive lineman of the Year as a sophomore after playing organized football for the first time as a freshman... Lettered twice in basketball at center and forward, and was named the team’s MVP as a junior... Majored in communications at Colorado... Justin Bannan was born on April 18, 1979, in Orangevale, Calif.

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