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PRO: Entering his third NFL season, Jacques Reeves has evolved from a seventh-round draft choice into a valuable component in the Cowboys pass defense and special teams coverage units. Reeves, who was a two-year starter at Purdue in the run-happy Big Ten, proved to be a solid acquisition as he immediately contributed in the team's nickel packages and on special teams. His versatility allowed him to see action in 15 games as a rookie. His progress and development continued in 2005, as he saw more extensive late-season action in the nickel after starting corner Anthony Henry suffered a groin injury that hobbled him for the second half of the season. Reeves's outstanding speed and solid athleticism should keep him in the mix for continued contributions in the future as valuable depth behind one of the NFL's top trios of cornerbacks in Henry, Terence Newman and Aaron Glenn. With each passing week in 2005, he gained more confidence and displayed improved playmaking ability. He also surfaced as a key contributor to the Cowboys special teams.
2005: In his second full season as a contributor in the Dallas secondary, Reeves finished the year with 11 tackles and four pass break-ups. He also ranked seventh on the club in special teams tackles with nine stops and recovered the Cowboys only opponents' fumble in the kicking game. In the Week Two Monday night loss to Washington (9/19), Reeves was second on the team with two special teams tackles. In the loss at Oakland (10/2), he led the team with a career-high four special teams tackles on punts, including one at the Raiders nine-yard line. It was the single-game high for special teams tackles by a Dallas player in 2005. In the last-minute loss at Seattle (10/23), he recovered a muffed punt at the Seattle nine-yard line to set up the Dallas offense in the red zone. In the thrilling Monday night win at Philadelphia (11/14), Reeves stepped up with a solid performance while taking over in the nickel package as Henry was sidelined with the groin injury. Reeves moved into the nickel lineup at right cornerback while Glenn moved to the left and Newman went into the slot. Reeves recorded two tackles and broke up two passes, including a last second pass to Reggie Brown that would have set up a potential game-winning field goal. That pass break-up was one of the biggest plays made by a Dallas defender all season long. His effort helped limit the Eagles to 178 net passing yards and an 8.7 yard-per-catch average. The Philadelphia wideouts had just one catch of over 10 yards (18-yard catch by Greg Lewis). In the overtime loss to Denver (11/24) on Thanksgiving Day, he recorded a tackle while playing right corner in the club's nickel with Henry again sidelined with the groin injury. The Broncos were limited to 149 net passing yards, and the Denver wide receivers had just six catches for 64 yards with just one catch - a 20-yarder - over 13 yards. In the following week's loss at the N.Y. Giants (12/4), he recorded one tackle while working at right corner in the club's nickel. Reeves helped limit New York to 150 net passing yards. In the come-from-behind win over Kansas City (12/11), he tackled Dante Hall at the Chiefs six-yard line for a five-yard loss on his only punt return. At Washington (12/18), he saw considerable action in the nickel as both Henry and Glenn were limited because of injuries. Reeves responded with a season-high four tackles and also added a tackle on punt coverage for no gain. In the Christmas Eve win at Carolina (12/24), he again saw considerable action in the nickel and recorded two tackles while breaking up two passes. He suffered a sprained ankle in the season ending loss to St. Louis (1/1/06) and recorded one tackle in limited action.
2004: Reeves saw action in 15 games as a rookie, contributing 14 tackles, four pass deflections and a fumble recovery on defense and six tackles and 13 kickoff returns for 199 yards on special teams. He made his NFL debut as the club's nickel corner in the season opener at Minnesota (9/12) and posted a single tackle. He also averaged 23.0 yards on two kickoff returns and led the team with two special teams tackles as the Vikings were limited to a 17.8-yard average on four kickoff returns. He posted a single tackle and broke up a pass in nickel work against Cleveland (9/19) as the Browns were limited to 66 net passing yards and converted just two-of-12 third downs. The following week at Washington (9/27), he saw extensive action after starter Pete Hunter tore the ACL in his left knee in the first quarter. Reeves responded with six stops and two pass deflections while returning two kickoffs for 41 yards. He made his first NFL start against the N.Y. Giants (10/10) and tied for third on the team with five tackles while breaking up a pass and recovering a fumble that led to a Dallas field goal. He turned over the starting cornerback duties to veteran Tyrone Williams against Pittsburgh (10/17) but saw action in the Cowboys nickel package while returning two kickoffs for 35 yards. After being inactive against Detroit (10/31), he returned to the field at Cincinnati (11/7). He saw spot duty at left cornerback against Philadelphia (11/15), then saw most of his action on special teams for the remainder of the season. He closed out the season at the N.Y. Giants (1/2/05) with a season-high three kickoff returns.
COLLEGE: Reeves saw action in every game during his Boilermaker career, recording 140 tackles, 17 pass deflections, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, two tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries. He closed out his career as the weakside cornerback, totaling a career-high 64 stops while knocking away nine passes, intercepting two and recording one sack. He became a full-time starter as a junior and tied for the team lead with three interceptions while posting 33 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Reeves saw action in all 12 games - starting three - as a sophomore and tied for fifth in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles. He also totaled 32 tackles and two interceptions. As a true freshman, Reeves saw action in every game on special teams and recorded 11 special teams stops. Reeves was also a member of the Purdue track team. At the 2003 Big Ten Indoor Championships, he finished second in the 200 meters (21.47) and third in the 60 meters (6.78). He won the 100 meters (10.41) title and finished second in the 200 meters (20.83) at the 2002 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in track after finishing second in the 60 meters (6.80) and 200 meters (21.04) at the 2001 Big Ten Indoor Championships.
PERSONAL: Jacques Dimitri Reeves was a standout defensive back for Lancaster, Texas, High School, where he intercepted four passes - returning two for touchdowns - and recovered five fumbles as a senior. As a rookie, he was part of the Cowboys 2004 Rookie Club, a program designed to introduce rookie team members to community service in the Dallas area. He and his fellow rookie teammates participated in visits to various non-profit organizations serving children and adults, including the NFL Play It Smart program at Dallas's Lincoln High School, ChildCare Group, NFL United Way Hometown Huddle and The Salvation Army. He annually participates in The Salvation Army Angel Tree program donating Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. During the 2006 offseason, he joined Cowboys Linebacker DeMarcus Ware and Defensive End Marcus Spears and a dozen other teammates in support of the Second Annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party which benefited the North Texas Food Bank. The event helped raise money that will provide over 330,000 meals to North Texans in need. | 