- Saw the most extended playing time of his career in 2011, appearing in 11 games and making two starts as an injury replacement for LB A.J. Hawk (calf).
- Set new career highs in every major statistical category in 2011, including the first two interceptions of his career over a three-game span in Weeks 12-14.
- Originally entered the NFL in ’09 as a non-drafted rookie
with Minnesota, and also spent time in the ’09 preseason
with Detroit.
- A four-year letterman at Boston College, he played in 52 college games and helped the Eagles win consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division titles.
- Was a teammate of Packers DT B.J. Raji at Boston College.
Pro Highlights:
- Versatile backup linebacker and special teams performer who spent the entire season on the active roster for the first time in 2011 and saw the most extensive playing time of his career late in the year.
- Played in 11 games with two starts, tallying 21 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions, three passes defensed and a forced fumble as an injury replacement for LB A.J. Hawk (calf) in 2011.
- Spent two different stints on the active roster and three on the practice squad in 2010, appearing in the final five regular-season contests and all four postseason games for the club.
- Saw time in a total of eight games in what was his first participating season, mostly on special teams, but also played some inside and outside linebacker, with one start.
- First came to Green Bay in 2009, spending the final four weeks of the season plus the playoffs on the practice squad. Originally entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with Minnesota and spent parts of the ’09 preseason with both the Vikings and Detroit Lions.
2011 SEASON: A member of the active roster for the entire season, the versatile LB saw the most playing time of his career and responded with career highs in every major statistical category…Appeared in 11 games, and made two starts at the “Buck” LB position after regular starter Hawk suffered a calf injury in the first half of the team’s Week 12 game at Detroit (Nov. 24)…Filled in admirably for Hawk, posting each of his 21 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in the ensuing two-plus games…Also added a career-high four special teams tackles during the season…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Saw his most extended playing time of the season to that point, coming on in relief of an injured Hawk (calf) in the second quarter and playing the entire second half. Was the last man standing after fellow reserve LB D.J. Smith had already replaced an injured Desmond Bishop, who suffered a calf injury of his own. Finished the game with four tackles (three solo) and made an outstanding play to record his first career INT in the third quarter. On the play, QB Matthew Stafford tried to lead TE Brandon Pettigrew with a throw over Francois’ head, but the LB adjusted and made a leaping INT at the Green Bay 34-yard line. The Packers offense would score a TD on the first play of the ensuing possession on a 65-yard TD pass from QB Aaron Rodgers to WR James Jones that extended the lead to 21-0...At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 4): Started his second career game and first of 2011 as both Bishop and Hawk were inactive with calf injuries. Finished with five tackles (four solo, one for loss) and a pass defensed…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Made his second consecutive start in the absence of the injured Hawk and tied for the team lead with 12 tackles (eight solo), also causing two turnover plays with his second INT in three games and his first career forced fumble that was returned for a TD. Made the INT just before halftime when he covered TE Kevin Boss deep on a post pattern, leaping to intercept the high throw from QB Carson Palmer in the end zone and downing it for a touchback. Forced fumble came on Oakland’s second possession of the third quarter, after Palmer had completed a short throw over the middle to FB Marcel Reece. Francois came up to tackle the ball-carrier, punching the ball out with his left hand. The ball traveled several yards backwards before being picked up by LB Erik Walden, who returned it 5 yards for a TD to extend the Packers’ lead to 43-7.
2010: Went back and forth between the practice squad and active roster throughout the season, ultimately playing in eight games with one start…Was waived in the final roster reduction at the end of training camp on Sept. 4 and signed to the practice squad the next day…Was released from the practice squad on Sept. 15, then re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 23…Was signed to the active roster on Oct. 13 after S Derrick Martin was placed on injured reserve, waived on Nov. 9, re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 15, and signed again to the active roster on Dec. 1 for the remainder of the season after LB Brandon Chillar went on IR...Contributed mostly on special teams, recording three tackles, and also played both inside and outside linebacker, making two stops from scrimmage…In the postseason, added three more special teams tackles plus three tackles on defense in relief of an injured Walden in the NFC Championship…Vs. N.Y. Giants (Dec. 26): Started at ROLB due to injuries to Frank Zombo (knee) and Walden (quad), though Walden was active. Recorded two assisted tackles and provided pressure with three QB hits…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Had one special teams tackle…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Had two special teams tackles…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Saw extended playing time on defense in the second half for Walden (ankle) and had three tackles (two solo).
2009: Entered training camp with Minnesota and appeared in one preseason game, recording one solo tackle, before being waived on Aug. 18…Claimed off waivers by Detroit the next day, and appeared in one preseason contest with the Lions before being waived on Sept. 1…Signed by the Packers to their practice squad on Dec. 8 and re-signed following the season to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 11, 2010…2009 Draft: Signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings on May 1.
COLLEGE: A four-year letterman at Boston College, he appeared in 52 games over the course of his career, totaling 201 tackles and helping the program to back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division titles in his final two years…Earned a B.A. in communications…Senior season (2008): Started the final eight games and placed third on the team with a career-high 82 tackles (47 solo), including nine for loss, two sacks and an INT he returned for a TD. Earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying nine tackles, two sacks and the INT return for a TD vs. Maryland (Nov. 29)…Junior season (2007): Played in 13 games and finished with 37 tackles, two tackles for loss and a half-sack…Sophomore season (2006): Appeared in all 13 of the team’s games, starting seven and registering 52 tackles (29 solo), 3½ for loss, and tying for the team lead with three fumble recoveries…Redshirt freshman season (2005): Appeared in 12 games and posted 28 tackles and a fumble recovery.
PERSONAL: Given name Robert Joseph Francois…Born in Houston…Single…Was a college teammate of NT B.J. Raji and former Packers DB Will Blackmon…High school: Initially prepped at Ross Sterling High in Baytown, Texas, outside of Houston, before transferring to Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Mass., for his final three years…Lettered all four years in football between the two schools, appearing at WR, TE and S, earning Governor’s Team MVP honor as a senior in 2003…Also was named to the All-New England team as a senior and was a two-time All-Independent School League first-team selection…Earned three letters in basketball and two in track…Participated in the 100-, 200-, 4x100-, and 4x400-meter events, and won the New England Prep School championship in each of the events his senior year…Community involvement: Volunteered during the summers while in college, serving as a mentor to inner-city teens in Boston…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games, watching movies and watching television, listing Strike Back, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Throne, Tosh.O, Key and Peele, and Border Wars as his favorite shows…Has traveled to the Bahamas and Mexico in recent offseasons…Has recently developed an interest in fishing and range shooting…Names Jerry Rice and former Boston College and NFL LB Bill Romanowski as his favorite NFL players…Residence: Highlands, Texas.
- Saw the most extended playing time of his career in 2011, appearing in 11 games and making two starts as an injury replacement for LB A.J. Hawk (calf).
- Set new career highs in every major statistical category in 2011, including the first two interceptions of his career over a three-game span in Weeks 12-14.
- Originally entered the NFL in ’09 as a non-drafted rookie
with Minnesota, and also spent time in the ’09 preseason
with Detroit.
- A four-year letterman at Boston College, he played in 52 college games and helped the Eagles win consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division titles.
- Was a teammate of Packers DT B.J. Raji at Boston College.
Pro Highlights:
- Versatile backup linebacker and special teams performer who spent the entire season on the active roster for the first time in 2011 and saw the most extensive playing time of his career late in the year.
- Played in 11 games with two starts, tallying 21 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions, three passes defensed and a forced fumble as an injury replacement for LB A.J. Hawk (calf) in 2011.
- Spent two different stints on the active roster and three on the practice squad in 2010, appearing in the final five regular-season contests and all four postseason games for the club.
- Saw time in a total of eight games in what was his first participating season, mostly on special teams, but also played some inside and outside linebacker, with one start.
- First came to Green Bay in 2009, spending the final four weeks of the season plus the playoffs on the practice squad. Originally entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with Minnesota and spent parts of the ’09 preseason with both the Vikings and Detroit Lions.
2011 SEASON: A member of the active roster for the entire season, the versatile LB saw the most playing time of his career and responded with career highs in every major statistical category…Appeared in 11 games, and made two starts at the “Buck” LB position after regular starter Hawk suffered a calf injury in the first half of the team’s Week 12 game at Detroit (Nov. 24)…Filled in admirably for Hawk, posting each of his 21 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in the ensuing two-plus games…Also added a career-high four special teams tackles during the season…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Saw his most extended playing time of the season to that point, coming on in relief of an injured Hawk (calf) in the second quarter and playing the entire second half. Was the last man standing after fellow reserve LB D.J. Smith had already replaced an injured Desmond Bishop, who suffered a calf injury of his own. Finished the game with four tackles (three solo) and made an outstanding play to record his first career INT in the third quarter. On the play, QB Matthew Stafford tried to lead TE Brandon Pettigrew with a throw over Francois’ head, but the LB adjusted and made a leaping INT at the Green Bay 34-yard line. The Packers offense would score a TD on the first play of the ensuing possession on a 65-yard TD pass from QB Aaron Rodgers to WR James Jones that extended the lead to 21-0...At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 4): Started his second career game and first of 2011 as both Bishop and Hawk were inactive with calf injuries. Finished with five tackles (four solo, one for loss) and a pass defensed…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Made his second consecutive start in the absence of the injured Hawk and tied for the team lead with 12 tackles (eight solo), also causing two turnover plays with his second INT in three games and his first career forced fumble that was returned for a TD. Made the INT just before halftime when he covered TE Kevin Boss deep on a post pattern, leaping to intercept the high throw from QB Carson Palmer in the end zone and downing it for a touchback. Forced fumble came on Oakland’s second possession of the third quarter, after Palmer had completed a short throw over the middle to FB Marcel Reece. Francois came up to tackle the ball-carrier, punching the ball out with his left hand. The ball traveled several yards backwards before being picked up by LB Erik Walden, who returned it 5 yards for a TD to extend the Packers’ lead to 43-7.
2010: Went back and forth between the practice squad and active roster throughout the season, ultimately playing in eight games with one start…Was waived in the final roster reduction at the end of training camp on Sept. 4 and signed to the practice squad the next day…Was released from the practice squad on Sept. 15, then re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 23…Was signed to the active roster on Oct. 13 after S Derrick Martin was placed on injured reserve, waived on Nov. 9, re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 15, and signed again to the active roster on Dec. 1 for the remainder of the season after LB Brandon Chillar went on IR...Contributed mostly on special teams, recording three tackles, and also played both inside and outside linebacker, making two stops from scrimmage…In the postseason, added three more special teams tackles plus three tackles on defense in relief of an injured Walden in the NFC Championship…Vs. N.Y. Giants (Dec. 26): Started at ROLB due to injuries to Frank Zombo (knee) and Walden (quad), though Walden was active. Recorded two assisted tackles and provided pressure with three QB hits…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Had one special teams tackle…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Had two special teams tackles…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Saw extended playing time on defense in the second half for Walden (ankle) and had three tackles (two solo).
2009: Entered training camp with Minnesota and appeared in one preseason game, recording one solo tackle, before being waived on Aug. 18…Claimed off waivers by Detroit the next day, and appeared in one preseason contest with the Lions before being waived on Sept. 1…Signed by the Packers to their practice squad on Dec. 8 and re-signed following the season to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 11, 2010…2009 Draft: Signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings on May 1.
COLLEGE: A four-year letterman at Boston College, he appeared in 52 games over the course of his career, totaling 201 tackles and helping the program to back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division titles in his final two years…Earned a B.A. in communications…Senior season (2008): Started the final eight games and placed third on the team with a career-high 82 tackles (47 solo), including nine for loss, two sacks and an INT he returned for a TD. Earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying nine tackles, two sacks and the INT return for a TD vs. Maryland (Nov. 29)…Junior season (2007): Played in 13 games and finished with 37 tackles, two tackles for loss and a half-sack…Sophomore season (2006): Appeared in all 13 of the team’s games, starting seven and registering 52 tackles (29 solo), 3½ for loss, and tying for the team lead with three fumble recoveries…Redshirt freshman season (2005): Appeared in 12 games and posted 28 tackles and a fumble recovery.
PERSONAL: Given name Robert Joseph Francois…Born in Houston…Single…Was a college teammate of NT B.J. Raji and former Packers DB Will Blackmon…High school: Initially prepped at Ross Sterling High in Baytown, Texas, outside of Houston, before transferring to Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Mass., for his final three years…Lettered all four years in football between the two schools, appearing at WR, TE and S, earning Governor’s Team MVP honor as a senior in 2003…Also was named to the All-New England team as a senior and was a two-time All-Independent School League first-team selection…Earned three letters in basketball and two in track…Participated in the 100-, 200-, 4x100-, and 4x400-meter events, and won the New England Prep School championship in each of the events his senior year…Community involvement: Volunteered during the summers while in college, serving as a mentor to inner-city teens in Boston…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games, watching movies and watching television, listing Strike Back, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Throne, Tosh.O, Key and Peele, and Border Wars as his favorite shows…Has traveled to the Bahamas and Mexico in recent offseasons…Has recently developed an interest in fishing and range shooting…Names Jerry Rice and former Boston College and NFL LB Bill Romanowski as his favorite NFL players…Residence: Highlands, Texas.
