Pat Watkins

For other people named Patrick Watkins, see Patrick Watkins (disambiguation).
Patrick Watkins
No. 9     Edmonton Eskimos
Date of birth (1982-12-18) December 18, 1982
Place of birth Tallahassee, Florida
Career information
Status Active
CFL status International
Position(s) DB
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg)
College Florida State
High school Lincoln (FL)
NFL draft 2006 / Round: 5 / Pick: 53
Drafted by Dallas Cowboys
Career history
As player
2006–2009 Dallas Cowboys
2010 San Diego Chargers
2012–2013 Toronto Argonauts
2014–Present Edmonton Eskimos
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star 2014
CFL West All-Star 2014
Career stats

Patrick Watkins (born December 18, 1982) is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos [1] of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida State University,[2] and attended Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida.[3] Watkins has also played for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers.

Early years

Watkins attended Tallahassee's Lincoln High School and was a part of two state titles. As a junior he registered 126 tackles and 5 interceptions.

At Florida State University, he played 49 straight games (23 starts) at both safety and cornerback. As a senior, he had 77 tackles (5 for loss) and 3 interceptions.

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2006, Watkins measured in at 6-foot-5 and 211 pounds, while posting a 40-yard-dash times of 4.42 seconds.[4]

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys selected Watkins in the fifth round (53rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He started nine games in his rookie season, registering 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 passes defensed and became one of the tallest safeties in NFL history. Because he was seen as a liability in pass coverage, he lost his starting position and was also limited with left bicep injury.

Watkins became a core special teams player as a gunner, leading the team in 2007 with 25 tackles and also returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. In 2008 he was moved from free to strong safety, but he didn't demonstrate the tackle technique needed for run support, finishing with 9 tackles, after missing 8 games with a neck injury and being placed on the injured reserve list on December 2. He was second on the team in 2009 with 18 special teams tackles.[5] After missing the first 3 preseason games with a knee injury, he was released on August 30, 2010.[6]

San Diego Chargers

Watkins was signed by the San Diego Chargers on November 15, 2010, with the intention of improving their special teams. On December 16, he was placed on the injured reserve list after re-aggravating his previous knee injury and wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

After being a year out of football recovering from his knee injury, he signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts on May 30, 2012.[7] He was named the starter at right cornerback and registered 18 starts. He missed the Eastern Final and the Grey Cup championship game after fracturing his ankle.

As a rookie he recorded 67 tackles (third on the team), 5 interceptions (tied for first in the CFL), 2 fumble recoveries and received CFL All-Star honors. The next season, he was again named to the CFL All-Star team after having 17 starts, 43 tackles, 5 interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)

On February 12, 2014, he was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent.[8] In 18 starts he registered 36 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 special teams tackles, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a 50-yard touchdown.

References

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