Erik Coleman life and biography

Erik Coleman is an American football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington State.

TRANSACTIONS

Selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on March 1, 2008.

CAREER

A veteran defensive back with 82 career starts who has totaled 617 tackles (418 solo), 10 interceptions, two sacks and 33 passes defensed in 95 career games. Earned AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Week honors after a solid performance against Cincinnati in Week 1 of 2004. amed AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Month in September in his rookie season (2004).

2009 (FALCONS)
Started in all 16 games at the safety position and ranked first in the secondary in tackles with 139. Also added five passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Recorded 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble against Carolina (9/20). Collared 11 stops for a defense that also produced three turnovers against Chicago (10/18). Led the secondary in tackles with a season-high 13 and forced one fumble at New Orleans (11/2). Logged a team-high nine tackles, including one tackle for loss at Tampa Bay (1/3) for a defense that allowed a season-low 38 total rushing yards.

2008 (FALCONS)
Competed in 16 games with 15 starts and tallied a career-high 127 tackles while contributing with three interceptions, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed. Posted nine tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and one forced fumble vs. Kansas City (9/21). Registered a team-high 10 tackles and one pass defensed at Philadelphia (10/26). Notched two tackles, one interception and one pass defensed at Oakland (11/2). His interception came in the end zone in the fourth quarter to preserve the Falcons first shut out since November 24, 2002 at Carolina. Collected a team-high 11 tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and one forced fumble vs. New Orleans (11/9). Compiled a season-high with 12 tackles against St. Louis (12/28) while starting at free safety. Led the team in tackles (11) in Atlanta's Wild Card Playoff contest at Arizona (1/3/09).

2007 (JETS)
Saw action in 15 games with four starts while contributing with 48 tackles (24 solo). Established a career-high with 15 total tackles while registering eight solo and seven assists
against Miami (9/23). Posted nine tackles with seven solo stops versus Philadelphia (10/14).

2006 (JETS)
Compiled 93 tackles (63 solo), one interception and four passes defensed in 16 games. Recorded a season-high 10 tackles in a Week 7 win against Detroit (10/22). Intercepted QB Tom Brady and added eight tackles and one pass defensed at New England (11/12). Led the team with 10 tackles in the Wild Card Playoff Game at New England (1/7).

2005 (JETS)
Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season and totaled a season-high 121 tackles (84 solo), two interceptions and nine passes defensed. Credited with 12 tackles (nine solo), one interception and two special teams tackles at Baltimore (10/2). Led the team and posted a previous career-high of 14 tackles at Buffalo (10/16).

2004 (JETS)
Started in all 16 games in his rookie season while compiling 89 tackles (69 solo), two sacks for a loss of nine yards, four interceptions, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Made his first start at safety against Cincinnati (9/12) and earned AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Week honors after intercepting a QB Carson Palmer pass to seal a victory. Intercepted a QB Drew Brees pass the following week to become the first Jets rookie to record an interception in his first two games. His performance in the first two weeks of the season led to AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Month honors for September. Totaled seven tackles, one pass defensed and his first career sack at Cleveland (11/21).

COLLEGE

Started 32 of 45 games that he appeared in at Washington State, registering 234 tackles, 12 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), one sack, three fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, 21 passes defensed, three blocked kicks. Posted 25 kickoff returns for 556 yards and 15 punt returns for 102 yards and one touchdown.

PERSONAL

Earned three letters in football as a running back, defensive back and kickoff returner for Lewis and Clark High School. Rushed for 1,187 yards and 13 touchdowns while posting six interceptions as a senior. Earned all-league first-team honors for both offense and defense, as well as his team's MVP award.

Read more