Marcus Benard was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on January 24, 2012 ... Originally signed by Cleveland as a rookie free agent (5/1/09) ... Released by Cleveland (9/6/09) ... Signed by Cleveland to the practice squad (9/8/09) ... Signed by Cleveland to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (11/9/09) ... Placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List (10/12/11) ... Released by Cleveland (10/10/12).
CAREER TRANSACTIONSMarcus Benard was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on January 24, 2012 ... Originally signed by Cleveland as a rookie free agent (5/1/09) ... Released by Cleveland (9/6/09) ... Signed by Cleveland to the practice squad (9/8/09) ... Signed by Cleveland to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (11/9/09) ... Placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List (10/12/11) ... Released by Cleveland (10/10/12).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Posted a team-leading 7.5 sacks in 2010.
- Finished sixth among all rookies in 2009 with 3.5 sacks, despite appearing in only six games.
SEASONAL REVIEWS2012 (0/0 – Cleveland):
- Went through training camp with the Browns before being placed on Injured Reserve (8/27) after suffering an elbow injury during the preseason.
- Released from the injured reserve list on Oct. 10, 2012.
2011 (4/0 – Cleveland):
- Played in the first four games of the season as a reserve, recording two tackles, 0.5 sacks and one special teams tackle before being placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list due to a hand injury (10/12).
2010 (15/2 – Cleveland):
- Played in 15 games, with two starts, finishing with 26 tackles and a team-leading 7.5 sacks, in addition to two passes defensed, two special teams tackles and four kickoff returns for 26 yards.
- Posted 1.5 sacks in season-opener at Tampa Bay (9/12) in first career start.
2009 (6/0 – Cleveland):
- Appeared in six games as a reserve, recording 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks on defense and three special teams tackles.
- Spent the first nine weeks of the season on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster and making his NFL debut vs. Baltimore (11/16).
- Tallied a career-high 2.0 sacks vs. Pittsburgh (12/10).
- Tied for sixth among all NFL rookies with 3.5 sacks, despite only appearing in six games.
- Signed with Cleveland as a rookie free agent.
COLLEGE
- Played junior and senior seasons at Jackson State University after earning his associates degree from Grand Rapids Community College.
- Earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors as a senior after totaling 80 tackles and 16.0 sacks.
- Posted 45 tackles and 9.0 sacks while playing in all 12 games as a junior.
- Tallied 76 tackles and 17.0 sacks in two years at Grand Rapids.
PERSONAL
- Born in Adrian, Mich. and played tight end for Ypsilanti (Mich.) High School.
- Named all-district and to the Seniors of America List as a senior.
- Voted the team's most valuable player and offensive player of the year as a senior.
- Plays the piano, organ, guitar, drums and saxophone.
- Has three sons, Domanic, Marcus Jr. and Ashai.
- Majored in criminal justice at Jackson State.
