PRO: Alan Ball gained a year of NFL experience in 2007 spending the first 14 weeks of the season on Dallas' practice squad before seeing action in the final two games as a reserve cornerback. After the Cowboys lost two cornerbacks in free agency leading up to 2008, Ball saw extended action, playing in 10 games mainly on special teams. Ball was one-of-two of the Cowboys seventh-round picks in the 2007 NFL Draft. Ball will once again have to display his skills on special teams and on defense to earn a roster spot in 2009.
2008:
Opened the season at Cleveland (9/7) playing on special teams before being a game day inactive the following three weeks.
Was active but did not play against Cincinnati (10/12) before playing on special teams at Arizona (10/12) and at St. Louis (10/26).
Saw his first action of the season on defense and had three tackles against Tampa Bay (10/26).
Added a defensive stop at the N.Y. Giants (11/12) then had a season and career-high three special teams tackles against Seattle on Thanksgiving Day (11/27).
Had his first career pass breakup at Pittsburgh (12/7) followed by two tackles against the N.Y. Giants (12/14).
Was inactive the final two games of the season with an ankle injury.
2007:
Spent the first 14 weeks of the season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
Saw his first action in the NFL at Carolina (12/22) recording one special teams stop.
Recorded his first pro tackle at Washington (12/30).
COLLEGE:
Finished his collegiate career at Illinois with 199 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two interceptions, 23 passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Had a career-high 62 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one interception and 13 passes defensed as a senior.
Had a career-high four pass breakups against Indiana and a season-high 11 tackles against Eastern Illinois.
Named the team's outstanding defensive back at the end of his junior season, playing in all 11 games, with seven starts, and leading the team with 55 total tackles.
As a sophomore, made 10 starts and had 37 tackles, one pass defensed and one tackle for a loss.
Recorded at least one tackle in every game he played that season.
As a freshman, played in seven games, including five starts, and recorded 44 tackles, four passes defensed and one forced fumble.
PERSONAL:
Alan Ball attended St. Martin De Porres in Detroit, Mich., for two years, earning PrepStar and SuperPrep all-region selection and being named to the Lansing State Journal �Catch 22� list as a senior.
Helped lead his team to the 2001 state championship and was named a top-50 defensive back recruit nationally by Rivals.com.
Intercepted 15 passes - including six in the postseason his senior season.
Earned all-state honors in track - winning back-to-back 110-meter hurdles state titles as a junior and senior.
Was enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Illinois.
COMMUNITY:
2007 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
Annual Holiday Hospital Visits.
Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Kickoff Luncheon and Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.
