From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tajuan "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.
Law is a two-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and has won three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. He has also played for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
[edit] College career
Law had a three-year stint at the University of Michigan where he lettered three years in a row (1992-94), earned first-team All-American honors from Walter Camp as a senior and was a two-time unanimous All-Big Ten Conference selection.
[edit] Professional career
[edit] New England Patriots
He was drafted 23rd overall in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots where he spent the majority of his career. In 1998 Law earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. That year he led the league with 9 interceptions, the first time any New England Patriot had led the league in interceptions.
Law earned his first Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2001. In Super Bowl XXXVI, Law intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, the first points of the game for the Patriots, who eventually won the game 20-17.
Law was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year and for the fourth time in his career after the 2003 season. In 2003, Law was part of a record-breaking Patriots defense that led the NFL in four key categories: opponents’ points per game (14.9), opponents’ passer rating (56.2), interceptions (29) and passing touchdowns surrendered (11). Law's physical play against some of the game's best receivers prompted the NFL to more strictly enforce the five-yard illegal contact rule on defensive backs after the 2003 season. These enforcement changes, were heavily pushed by Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian. In the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, Law intercepted 3 passes from Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, assisting his team to a 24-14 win and their second Super Bowl appearance in 3 years, where they defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29.
Law earned his third Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2004, but missed the final 9 games of the season and all three of the Patriots' playoff games due to a foot injury.
[edit] New York Jets
On February 25, 2005, Law was released by the Patriots due to his $12,551,000 cap salary.[1]
Law amassed a career-high 10 interceptions and was the only Jet voted into the Pro Bowl (Jonathan Vilma was named to the Pro Bowl as well, but that was due to an injury to Miami's Zach Thomas, not by means of popular vote by the fans). On December 26, 2005, Law returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots. Law was released by the New York Jets on February 22, 2006 as the Jets were a projected $26 million over the salary cap for 2006.[2] Law was due to make $7.6 million for 2006.[3]
[edit] Kansas City Chiefs
On July 25, Law passed his physical with the Chiefs and signed a five-year deal worth $30 million.[4] Law reunited with coach Herman Edwards, whom Law had played under in the 2005 season hoping to strengthen the Jets' defense.
In the Chiefs' 2006 playoff loss against the Indianapolis Colts, Law intercepted 2 passes from Peyton Manning. This set the NFL postseason record for most postseason interceptions (5) ever recorded by one player against another.[5] The Patriots are close to a deal with Law. Law has been talking with both the Pats and the Jets but Law prefers to return with the Patriots.[6]
[edit] Career statistics
| Year |
Team |
G |
Tkl |
Ast |
Sacks |
Int |
Yds |
Avg |
Lg |
TD |
Pass Def |
| 1995 |
New England Patriots |
14 |
48 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
47 |
15.7 |
38 |
0 |
9 |
| 1996 |
New England Patriots |
13 |
62 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
45 |
15 |
38 |
1 |
9 |
| 1997 |
New England Patriots |
16 |
77 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
70 |
23.3 |
40 |
0 |
11 |
| 1998 |
New England Patriots |
16 |
70 |
10 |
0 |
9 |
133 |
14.8 |
59 |
1 |
27 |
| 1999 |
New England Patriots |
13 |
59 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
20 |
10 |
27 |
1 |
10 |
| 2000 |
New England Patriots |
15 |
74 |
11 |
0 |
2 |
32 |
16 |
32 |
0 |
11 |
| 2001 |
New England Patriots |
16 |
70 |
9 |
1 |
3 |
91 |
30.3 |
46 |
2 |
6 |
| 2002 |
New England Patriots |
16 |
77 |
15 |
1 |
4 |
33 |
8.2 |
29 |
0 |
10 |
| 2003 |
New England Patriots |
15 |
74 |
12 |
0 |
6 |
112 |
18.7 |
65 |
1 |
23 |
| 2004 |
New England Patriots |
7 |
28 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| 2005 |
New York Jets |
16 |
62 |
17 |
0 |
10 |
195 |
19.5 |
74 |
1 |
18 |
| 2006 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
16 |
69 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
11 |
2.8 |
16 |
0 |
9 |
| 2007 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
16 |
47 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
| Total |
|
189 |
420 |
74 |
6 |
52 |
791 |
13.48 |
74 |
7 |
161 |
[edit] References
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Michigan Wolverines football |
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All Time Record |
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868–286–36 (.745)
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Important Figures (1898-1968)
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Important Figures (1969-1989)
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Important Figures (1990-2008)
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