a Stephen Alexander TE    [81] 80 in 2003
6-4    250
Born:      11/07/1975
In         Chickasha , Oklahoma
College:   Oklahoma
NFL Experience:  5
Drafted: Washington 1998 #48
Acquired: UFA(Wash)02






CAREER STATS

YEAR TEAM      G GS Rec Yds  Avg  Lg TD 40+
1998 Redskins 15  5  37  383 10.4  33  4 0
1999 Redskins 15 15  29  324 11.2  27t 3 0
2000 Redskins 16 16  47  510 10.9  30  2 0
2001 Redskins  7  5   9   85  9.4  21  0 0
2002 SanDiego 14 14  45  510 11.3  32  1 0
2003 SanDiego  3  0   0    0   0   --  0 0
TOTAL         67 55 167 1812 10.9  33 10 0
   
1999
Alexander caught 29 passes for 324 yards (11.2 average) and three TDs, earning a spot as a first alternate on the NFC Pro Bowl. He started 15 games and put forth his finest performance in the Redskins 50-21 rout of the Giants in Week 2. He caught a season- and team-high five passes for 86 yards and two TDs, one- and 27-yard passes from Brad Johnson. The next week, he pulled in four passes for 62 yards, including a long of 21, in the Redskins 27-20 victory over the Jets. He caught one pass for five yards in Week 4 vs. Carolina and two passes for 18 yards, including a one-yard TD catch, the next week at Arizona. He caught three passes for 24 yards in Week 6 at Dallas and three passes for 23 yards in Week 9 at Philadelphia. At that point, he was en route to exceed his excellent rookie-year performance but strained a hip flexor in Week 10 vs. the Giants. He saw limited action in that game, as well as in Week 11 vs. Philadelphia. Due to the injury, he was inactive for Week 12 at the Lions, the only regular-season game he didn't start. But he bounced back, catching two passes in Week 15 and another two for 38 yards in the regular-season finale vs. the Dolphins. He started both playoff games, making one catch for 12 yards vs. Detroit and one catch for four yards at Tampa Bay.

1998
Caught first NFL pass which also was his first NFL touchdown in Week 1 against the Giants. Started his first NFL game in Week 10 against the Eagles.Completed his rookie campaign with 37 receptions for 383 yards and four touchdowns.

College Highlights
Stephen led the Sooners in receptions with 29 for 450 yards (15.5 yard average) and one touchdown. In his final collegiate game, Stephen closed out his four-year Sooner career with a 121-yard, seven catch performance against Texas Tech. His 19-yard scoring grab helped lift OU to a 32-21 victory. He was named to the all-Big 12 Conference second-team. An all-Big 12 third-team selection in 1996, Stephen finished second on the team with 22 receptions for 438 yards (19.9 yard average) and two touchdowns.



The Chargers continued this year’s trend of filling specific needs when they officially signed former Pro Bowl tight end Stephen Alexander away from the Washington Redskins with a five-year deal.

Alexander, 6-4, 250, is a veteran of four NFL seasons, all with  Washington. His finest year was 2000, when he earned Pro Bowl honors after setting career highs in catches (47) and receiving yards (510) and adding two touchdowns while starting all 16 games with the Redskins. He was also a first alternate to the NFC Pro Bowl squad following the 1999 season.

Alexander’s signing re-unites him with Chargers Head Coach Marty  Schottenheimer , who he played for in Washington Norv Washington . Turner was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2001, and the Bolts will be using similar terminology under Cameron this season. last season. Alexander also is familiar with the offensive system the Chargers will be using under new Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron this year, having played for  Turner during his time in 

Alexander’s career numbers include 122 catches for 1,302 yards (10.7 avg.) and nine touchdowns while starting 41 of 53 regular season games. He also started both playoff games he played in with the Redskins, catching two passes for 16 yards.

During his first three seasons in the NFL, Alexander averaged 37.7 catches and 405.7 yards per year. In 2001, his numbers dropped during an injury-plagued campaign when he caught nine passes for 85 yards.

Alexander originally entered the NFL as Washington ’s second round choice and was the 48th player chosen overall in the 1998 draft after a stellar collegiate career at the  University of  Oklahoma . As a senior in 1997, he led the Sooners with 29 catches for 450 yards (15.5 avg.) and one touchdown. As a sophomore, he earned All-Big Eight first-team honors, leading the  Sooners and all conference tight ends with 43 catches for 580 yards (13.5 avg.) and two scores.

Alexander was born on November 7, 1975 in Chickasha,  Oklahoma and attended  Chickasha High School , where he was a Blue Chip Illustrated and USA Today   All-America selection, adding Super Prep National Player of the Year honors. He also was an all-state and two time all-district Defensive Player of the Year as a defensive end. As a senior, he caught 37 passes for 561 and nine touchdowns at tight end and had 127 tackles and 10 sacks as a defensive end. He also lettered in basketball, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds, and in track, winning the state high jump title (6’-8") as a junior.

Alexander’s signing gives the Chargers two proven tight ends on their roster, including Steve  Heiden, who came to  San Diego as a third  round pick in 1999. Freddie  Jones , the Chargers’ starting tight end for the better part of the past five seasons, was released by the team on February 27. Jones signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week.

Content from San Diego Chargers

PERSONAL
Stephen was A Blue Chip Illustrated and USA Today all-America selection, adding Super Prep National Player of the Year honors at Chickasha (OK) High School. Stephen was an all-state and two-time all-district defensive player of the year as a defensive end. As a senior, he caught 37 passes for 561 yards and nine touchdowns as a tight end and recorded 127 tackles (68 solo) and 10 sacks as a defensive end. He also lettered in basketball, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds, and in track, winning the state high jump title (6-8) as a junior. Stephen was also a member of the National Honor Society, graduating 16th in his class with a 3.75 grade point average. Stephen was a management information systems major while at Oklahoma. Stephen was married this past offseason. He and his wife, Mandy, reside in Potomac Falls, VA.