{"sport":"nfl","slug":"jim-kovach","bio":{"fullName":"Jim Kovach","position":"LB","positionGroup":"LB","team":"SF","jerseyNumber":0,"heightInches":74,"weightLbs":230,"birthDate":"1956-05-01","college":"Kentucky","collegeConference":null,"headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/wnasyy4zi3d4uod2y3td","rookieSeason":1979,"lastSeason":1985,"yearsExperience":7,"status":"ACT","externalIds":{"gsis":"KOV237308","pfr":"KovaJi20"}},"draft":{"year":1979,"round":4,"pick":93,"team":"NO","undrafted":false},"combine":null,"accolades":null,"statTables":[{"id":"defense","label":"Defense","columns":[{"key":"tackles_combined"},{"key":"tackles_solo"},{"key":"sacks_def"},{"key":"def_int"},{"key":"passes_defended"},{"key":"forced_fumbles"},{"key":"fumble_recoveries"}],"rows":[{"season":1980,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":null,"tackles_solo":null,"sacks_def":null,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":null,"forced_fumbles":null,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1981,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":83,"tackles_solo":56,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":12,"forced_fumbles":2,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1982,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":47,"tackles_solo":40,"sacks_def":2.5,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":1,"forced_fumbles":1,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1983,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":89,"tackles_solo":81,"sacks_def":3,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":4,"forced_fumbles":1,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1984,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":90,"tackles_solo":71,"sacks_def":1,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":9,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1985,"seasonType":"REG","gamesPlayed":null,"gamesStarted":null,"values":{"tackles_combined":14,"tackles_solo":13,"sacks_def":1,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":3,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"team":"TOT","rowScope":"total"},{"season":1985,"seasonType":"REG","team":"NO","values":{"tackles_combined":13,"tackles_solo":12,"sacks_def":1,"def_int":1,"passes_defended":3,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"},{"season":1985,"seasonType":"REG","team":"SF","values":{"tackles_combined":1,"tackles_solo":1,"sacks_def":0,"def_int":null,"passes_defended":0,"forced_fumbles":0,"fumble_recoveries":null},"rowScope":"team"}],"careerTotals":{"REG":{"tackles_combined":323,"tackles_solo":261,"sacks_def":7.5,"def_int":4,"passes_defended":29,"forced_fumbles":4,"fumble_recoveries":0}}}],"similarPlayers":[{"slug":"christian-rozeboom","name":"Christian Rozeboom","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"TB","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/zuetviyilmxazi5dhts2","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"del-shawn-phillips","name":"Del'Shawn Phillips","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"LAC","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/plnsixu8jpozw1grxuvc","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"garret-wallow","name":"Garret Wallow","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"SF","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/swmlsjwctjetibjmhqxs","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"hardy-nickerson","name":"Hardy Nickerson","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"MLB","team":"GB","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/wrzwjda68yt8gw5dfykc","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"jude-waddy","name":"Jude Waddy","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"GB","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/ryzudko8g3e9wolestzi","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"kamu-grugier-hill","name":"Kamu Grugier-Hill","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"OLB","team":"MIN","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/league/sxfai8ftbojvsdl3wvem","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"mark-barron","name":"Mark Barron","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"ILB","team":"PIT","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/k2cyah7375qcgf3djal2","basis":"Linebacker comp"},{"slug":"nate-gerry","name":"Nate Gerry","sport":"nfl","similarity":100,"position":"LB","team":"WAS","headshotUrl":"https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/f_auto,q_auto/league/kycyq8uo5pwncligrbt2","basis":"Linebacker comp"}],"dataSources":["nflverse:players","wikipedia:season-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only)","nfl.com:official-stats (facts-only reference)"],"generatedAt":"2026-08-31T10:23:32.140Z","careerOnly":false}