Packers.com » Team » Players

Players

Coaches

Staff

Team / Players / Aaron Rouse

S AARON ROUSE #37

6' 4" • 223 lbs. • Virginia Tech

Exp: 3rd NFL Season, 3rd Packers Season
Age: 25
Acquired: Draft 2007 (3b)
Current Status: Active Roster

2008 Bio:

Last name is pronounced ROWSE
Returned an interception of Peyton Manning 99 yards for a touchdown last season, the longest INT return in Lambeau Field history and matching the longest in team history
During stretch of three starts during rookie season, had interceptions in back-to-back games vs. Carolina (Nov. 18) and at Detroit (Nov. 22)
A converted linebacker, played Virginia Tech’s “Rover” position his final two seasons (2005-06) there
In 2005, posted a career-high 77 tackles and four interceptions to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors

Pro Summary

An aggressive, big body at the safety position who has flashed some playmaking ability in his first two seasons
A top substitute when either Nick Collins or Atari Bigby has been injured, has played 25 games with nine starts and intercepted four passes while compiling 101 tackles (70 solo)
Made the biggest play of his young career last season, intercepting a Peyton Manning pass and returning it 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest interception return in Lambeau Field history and tied for the longest in team history
Made the most of more limited playing time as a rookie in 2007, intercepting passes in consecutive games – including one on national television on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, setting up the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown – while filling in for Collins (knee) for a three-game stretch
Still looking to compete for a starting job, also contributes on special teams, with 11 coverage stops in his two years, plus three more in the ’07 playoffs
A converted linebacker, played Virginia Tech’s “Rover” position his final two seasons and made a name for himself with big hits and big plays
Posted a career-high 77 tackles and four interceptions as a junior to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors
Production dropped slightly during senior season, when he struggled to deal with some personal issues including his grandfather’s death and an illness of his mother’s and was replaced as a starter for three games
Returned to the starting lineup and finished his collegiate career strong, saying his motivation comes from his mother, who raised him and his three siblings essentially on her own

2008 Season

Played in 14 games with six starts, and ranked third among defensive backs with 68 tackles (44 solo)
Tied rookie total with two interceptions and scored his first NFL touchdown
Also tallied three passes defensed and made seven stops on special teams
Inactive for two contests due to separate injuries
At Detroit (Sept. 14): Despite sprained ankle sustained in Thursday practice leading up to the game, played entire second half in place of injured Bigby (hamstring) and posted one tackle with another stop on special teams
Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Started at strong safety for an injured Bigby and led team with a career-high 13 tackles (11 solo)
At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Started at SS for second straight game and led defensive backs with 10 tackles, but left game midway through the fourth quarter with knee injury, forcing him to miss next game
At Seattle (Oct. 12): Started at SS and posted five tackles, but missed second half with head injury
Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Started at SS and led defensive backs with 11 tackles. Picked off Manning’s fourth-quarter pass intended for WR Anthony Gonzalez and returned the interception 99 yards for a touchdown to set a Lambeau Field record and match the franchise record set by Tim Lewis vs. L.A. Rams on Nov. 18, 1984. Also broke up a Manning pass intended for WR Reggie Wayne in the middle of the end zone earlier that same drive
At Tennessee (Nov. 2): Led the team with a season-high two special teams tackles, a total he matched the following week at Minnesota
At New Orleans (Nov. 24): Saw extensive action at SS and recorded five tackles plus an interception, picking off WR Lance Moore’s pass intended for RB Pierre Thomas at the Green Bay 6 and returned the interception 37 yards. Sustained ankle injury in fourth quarter and did not return, missing the next contest
At Chicago (Dec. 22): Started at SS and led secondary with eight tackles, including a stop of RB Matt Forte for a 3-yard loss in overtime
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 28): Started at SS and posted two tackles but left game in second quarter with a knee injury and did not return

2007 Season

Played in 11 games with three starts (for FS Collins, knee) and was inactive for four contests
Also played in both playoff games
Tallied 33 tackles (26 solo), plus two interceptions among four passes defensed
Also had four special teams tackles, plus three more in the postseason
Suffered a hamstring injury the last week of the preseason and did not play at Tennessee (Aug. 30); returned to practice Sept. 2 on a limited basis and was inactive for the first three games
At Minnesota (Sept. 30): Made his NFL debut, playing nine snaps on defense, spelling both Collins (knee) and Bigby (cramp) at different times and posting one assisted tackle
At Kansas City (Nov. 4): Played most of the second half, replacing Collins when he left the game after suffering a knee injury in the third quarter; made three solo tackles
Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11): Made his first career start, substituting for inactive Collins (knee), and made four solo tackles. On the Vikings’ final offensive play, tackled WR Robert Ferguson short of the first down on fourth-and-7, preserving Green Bay’s 34-0 shutout
Vs. Carolina (Nov. 18): Started and made his first career interception, among three passes defensed, plus three tackles. On Carolina’s opening offensive series, picked off a Vinny Testaverde pass on third-and-2
At Detroit (Nov. 22): Started again and led the team with 11 tackles (eight solo), plus his second career interception. On the first play of the second quarter, picked off a Jon Kitna pass intended for Calvin Johnson and returned it 34 yards to the Detroit 11-yard line; Greg Jennings caught a TD on the next play to give Green Bay a 7-6 lead
Left the game in the second half with a knee injury
2007 Draft: The 17th defensive back selected, was the second of two third-round draft picks by the Packers
Became Green Bay’s first selection from Virginia Tech since 1996, when WR Antonio Freeman was taken in the third round, and the fifth Hokie drafted by the Packers overall (teammate David Clowney became the sixth one day later, in the fifth round)

College

A converted linebacker, played Virginia Tech’s ‘Rover’ position his final two seasons
In 52 career games, made 24 starts and recorded 217 tackles (93 solo), 12 stops for loss, four forced fumbles, one recovery, nine passes defensed and five interceptions
Majored in sociology
Senior season (2006): Was the recipient of his team’s President’s Award, given to the defensive player who shows the most outstanding leadership
Played in all 13 games, starting 10 at ‘Rover’
Was replaced in the starting lineup by Cary Wade for three games, but returned to start the final four contests
Ranked third on the team with 57 tackles (23 solo), including two stops for loss, one forced fumble, two pass deflections and one interception
Made eight of his tackles on third-down plays and had five stops inside the red zone, including three in goal-line situations
Of the 40 passes thrown into his area, 21 were completed, but only six went for first downs
At North Carolina (Sept. 9), intercepted a pass in the end zone, returning it 28 yards
In final of three games of reserve action at Miami (Nov. 4), helped hold TE Greg Olsen to just two catches for 14 yards
At Wake Forest (Nov. 18), stripped the ball to force a late third-quarter fumble that teammate Xavier Adibi recovered, then threw a block against an offensive tackle to spring Adibi for a 35-yard TD return
Junior season (2005): Started every game at ‘Rover,’ earning first-team All-ACC honors from The NFL Draft Report in his best season as a collegian
Ranked third on the team with career-high 77 tackles (35 solo) while batting away five passes and picking off four others
Also caused and recovered a fumble while totaling 4½ stops for losses
Began the season with ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors at North Carolina State (Sept. 4), making eight tackles (four solo), intercepting two passes, breaking up two others and forcing a fumble, with the second INT coming at the Tech 6-yard line on the game’s final play to preserve a 20-16 win
Vs. Miami (Nov. 5), tallied a career-high 13 tackles
Intercepted two passes on consecutive possessions at Virginia (Nov. 19), returning them 25 and 9 yards to set up TDs
Sophomore season (2004): Played in 13 games as backup at ‘field’ OLB spot, recording 37 tackles (16 solo), 2½ tackles for loss and one forced fumble, which came vs. Western Michigan (Sept. 11)
Tallied a season-high five tackles three times, including vs. Auburn in the Sugar Bowl (Jan. 3)
Redshirt freshman season (2003): Was a Freshman All-America choice by Rivals.com, appearing in 13 games as a backup at ‘field’ OLB, with one start
Posted 46 tackles (19 solo) with three stops for loss, a forced fumble, and two pass deflections
In lone start vs. James Madison (Sept. 6), totaled 11 tackles (four solo) and forced a fumble

Personal

Given name Aaron Roosevelt Rouse
Last name is pronounced ROWSE
Nicknamed ‘The General’ and ‘Roo-Z’
Born in Norfolk, Va.
High school: Attended First Colonial (Virginia Beach, Va.) High School, being named PrepStar All-American and Defensive Player of the Year in the Beach District as a senior
Saw action as a wide receiver, safety, linebacker, running back and cornerback during his career, which featured 176 tackles with nine interceptions and a school-record eight blocked kicks
Named first-team Group AAA all-state by The Associated Press and second-team all-state by the coaches at defensive back as a senior, when he was ranked the 32nd best safety in the nation by Rivals.com, the ninth-best defensive back in the Atlantic Region by PrepStar, and an All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report
As a senior, collected 85 tackles, including two sacks, plus five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks
Added 13 catches for 390 yards and four TDs as a receiver
During junior season, named first-team All-District and second-team All-Tidewater Area, totaling 71 tackles, eight sacks and three interceptions, including game-saving pick vs. rival Ocean Lakes High
Also lettered in basketball
Community involvement: Has helped with the Junior Power Pack Experience football clinic and played for the team’s ‘Green Machine’ charity basketball squad
Also serves as an instructor and guest speaker for the Norfolk (Va.) Youth Football Camp
Recently helped distribute 28,200 cans of soup to 30 Wisconsin area food pantries, as part of Campbell’s Chunky Soup’s ‘Click for Cans’ online food drive
Also participated in the Al Harris Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event and attended a local Halloween party for at-risk kids of the Pals Program and their mentors
During his college days, worked with Donovan McNabb’s father, Sam, in the ‘Athletes for Kids’ program; the organization partnered with the Virginia Ballet Theater to help show the correlation between dance and athletes
Also volunteered at a youth home, spoke at elementary schools, and on his own, collected toys for a needy family
Hobbies/interests: A self-described ‘big kid at heart,’ enjoys fishing and watching movies, tabbing the original Carlito’s Way, Stalag 17 and the Transformers films as among his favorites
In his spare time, enjoys teaching his son to play baseball and teaching his two nephews and two nieces about football, basketball and life
Has an interest in broadcasting and also enjoys freshwater fishing, especially on the Chesapeake Bay
Residence: Norfolk, Va.

Player Stats

			Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	GP	GS	Tot	Solo	Asst	Sk	Yds	No	Yds	Lg	TD	PD	FF	FR	Yds
2007 Green Bay	11	3	33	26	7	0	0	2	37	34	0	4	0	0	0
Playoffs
2007 Green Bay	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Additional statistics: Special teams tackles - 4 in 2007, 3 in '07 playoffs; NFL total: 4.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles
Total: 11, at Det. (11/22/07)
Solo: 8, at Det. (11/22/07)

Interceptions: 1, two times (last: at Det., 11/22/07)

NFL debut: at Minnesota, 9/30/07
First NFL start: vs. Minnesota, 11/11/07
First interception: vs. Carolina, 11/18/07 (V.Testaverde)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2005: Selected by Green Bay Packers as second of two third-round choices (89th overall) in '07 NFL Draft, April 29...Signed first contract, June 8.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2010

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date	Opp	Interceptions				Sacks
Game Date	Opp	No	Yds	Avg	TD	Sacks
Sep 9, 2007	PHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 16, 2007	@NYG	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 23, 2007	SD	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 30, 2007	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 7, 2007	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 14, 2007	WAS	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 29, 2007	@DEN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 4, 2007	@KC	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 11, 2007	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 18, 2007	CAR	1	3	3.0	0	0
Nov 22, 2007	@DET	1	34	34.0	0	0
Nov 29, 2007	@DAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 9, 2007	OAK	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 16, 2007	@STL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 23, 2007	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 30, 2007	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
2007 Totals		2	37	18.5	0	0
Sep 8, 2008	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 14, 2008	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 21, 2008	DAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 28, 2008	@TB	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 5, 2008	ATL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 12, 2008	@SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 19, 2008	IND	1	99	99.0	1	0
Nov 2, 2008	@TEN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 9, 2008	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 16, 2008	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 24, 2008	@NO	1	37	37.0	0	0
Nov 30, 2008	CAR	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 7, 2008	HOU	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 14, 2008	@JAC	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 22, 2008	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 28, 2008	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
2008 Totals		2	136	68.0	1	0
Packers Totals		4	173	43.3	1	0

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau