Calvin Pace

Calvin Lamar Pace (born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (18th overall) in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Calvin Pace
refer to caption
Pace with the New York Jets in 2011
No. 79, 97
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1980-10-28) October 28, 1980 (age 43)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Lithia Springs (GA)
College:Wake Forest
NFL draft:2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:621
Sacks:60.0
Interceptions:3
Forced fumbles:21
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Early life

Pace attended Lithia Springs High School in Lithia Springs, Georgia from 1994 to 1998.

College career

As a freshman in 1999, Pace played in seven games, and ranked 27th on the team in tackles. For the season he recorded four tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and one pass deflected.[1]

In 2000, Pace finished fifth on the team with 50 tackles (33 solo), including 12 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.[2]

In 2001, Pace finished sixth on the team recording 62 tackles (36 solo), including 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He recorded one pass deflected and 11 quarterback hurries.[3]

In 2002, Pace finished third on the team with 73 tackles (43 solo), including 22 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He recorded six passes deflected and four quarterback hurries.[4]

While at Wake Forest, Pace was a two-time Second-team All-ACC selection and finished his college career with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
269 lb
(122 kg)
34 in
(0.86 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.80 s1.74 s2.86 s33 in
(0.84 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
All values from NFL Combine.[5]

Arizona Cardinals

Pace was selected by Arizona Cardinals in the first round (18th overall) in the 2003 NFL draft.[6] In 2003, as a rookie, he started all 16 games. He recorded a total of 32 tackles and one sack.

In 2004, he played in 14 games, recording 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

In 2005, Pace played in only five games with one start. His season was ended when he suffered a laceration of his arm during the Cardinals bye week. Before Pace was placed on injured reserve he recorded 11 tackles and one sack.

In 2006, Pace played in all 16 games, starting five of them. He recorded 29 tackles and one sack.

In 2007, Pace was switched to outside linebacker and started all 16 games. He led the team with 106 tackles. Pace also recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks and one fumble.

In his five seasons with the Cardinals, Pace played in 67 games with 38 starts recording 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes deflected. While with the Cardinals he also set career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes deflected and fumble recoveries in 2007 with 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes deflected, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

New York Jets

Pace at the Jets 2009 training camp.

2008

On March 3, 2008, Pace and the New York Jets came to terms on a six-year, $42 million deal that includes $22 million in guaranteed money.[7] He had turned down a previous offer with the Miami Dolphins prior to signing with the Jets. In his first year in New York, Pace compiled 80 tackles (including 63 solo) and 7 quarterback sacks.

2009

Pace wearing the Jets' alternate jersey during the 2009 season.

Pace was suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season by the NFL after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In the 12 games he played, Pace recorded 55 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. The Jets finished 9-7 and made it to the AFC Championship Game before losing to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, falling one game short of the Super bowl.

2010

In August 2010, Pace injured his foot during the preseason. After missing the first four games, Pace started the remainder of the season recording 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble helping the Jets finish 11-5 and advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers by the final score of 24-19.

2011

In 2011, Pace played all 16 games with 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

2012

In 2012, Pace played all 16 games with 35 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

2013

Pace was released from the Jets on February 19, 2013.[8] He was re-signed by the team on April 16 to a one-year contract.[9] During the 2013 season, Pace played all 16 games with 37 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.

2014

The Jets re-signed Pace to a two-year, $5 million contract on March 16, 2014.[10]

On September 13, 2014, Pace was fined $16,537 for a roughing the passer penalty during Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2003ARI1616322571.04000000100
2004ARI140191454.52000052000
2005ARI5112841.03000000100
2006ARI165312741.02000012000
2007ARI16169980196.51111401461240
2008NYJ16168062187.0110000354501
2009NYJ12125545108.013000012000
2010NYJ1211514295.55110131000
2011NYJ16167253194.57180833100
2012NYJ16165535203.07000021100
2013NYJ161653371610.010000032000
2014NYJ16164027135.08000030000
2015NYJ1612221573.04000012100
18715362147015160.087323014312111541

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2009NYJ33131120.01000001000
2010NYJ31101003.02000001000
64232123.03000002000

Measurables

  • 4.65 40-yard dash
  • 31 inch vertical
  • 19 bench reps
  • 4.62 short shuttle
  • 9-foot-7 broad jump

[11]

Personal life

Pace resides in Atlanta, Georgia.[12]

References

Notes