- Mike Karney
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Mike Karney No. 44 Free Agent Fullback Personal information Date of birth: July 6, 1981 Place of birth: San Jose, California Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 260 lb (118 kg) Career information College: Arizona State NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 5 / Pick: 156 Debuted in 2004 for the New Orleans Saints Career history Roster status: Active Career highlights and awards Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2008 Rushing Yards 79 Receiving yards 295 Total TDs 7 Stats at NFL.com Michael John Mario Karney (born July 6, 1981 in San Jose, California) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.
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Early years
Karney attended Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington and garnered varsity letters in football and baseball. In football, he was a USA Today All-USA Honorable Mention selection, a PrepStar All-Region honoree, named the No. 15 player in the Northwest. Karney rushed for 800 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior as his team went to the Class 4A state title game, its first appearance in 10 years.
College career
Started 28 of 46 games at Arizona State and had 78 yards on 32 carries and 37 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown. Karney is said to have trained in college by strapping his car to his back and attempt to pull it around. As a senior, he recorded 14 catches for 106 yards and in 2002, opened 11 of 14 games, posting 20 rushing yards on eight carries and hauling in 13 passes for 121 yards. All Pac-10 honorable mention in 2001, opening seven games and playing in every contest. That season had six carries for 18 yards and caught six passes for 39 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown vs. San Diego State.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Pre-draft measureables Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic 5 ft 11⅜ in 254 lb 5.02 s 1.75 s 2.80 s 30 in 8 ft 7 in 25 rep 10[1] All values from NFL Combine.[2] Karney was rated as one of the top fullbacks coming out of college.[3]
New Orleans Saints
Karney was drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Karney was signed to three-year $1.3 million contract on July 29, 2004,[4] and proved to be a solid lead blocker and average receiver out of the backfield. The Saints gave up two picks to draft Karney. In his first two seasons he started 22 of 32 games. He was re-signed to a contract extension prior to the 2006 season (July 13, 2006). The extension was for a reported four-years and $5.6 million including incentives, and included a $1.2 million signing bonus. On December 10, 2006, against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, Karney had his best NFL game, scoring two receiving and one rushing touchdowns, his first three touchdowns in the NFL. After the 2006 season Karney was voted Second-team All-pro and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate. In 2007 he repeated his honor of being an alternate to the Pro Bowl.
He was released by the Saints on March 5, 2009, the night of the rehearsal dinner for his wedding.[5]
St. Louis Rams
Karney signed a three-year, $4.9 million contract with the St. Louis Rams on March 11, 2009. The deal includes $1.7 million guaranteed. Karney was needed because, according to ESPN's John Clayton, "The Rams have been struggling at that position since they released Madison Hedgecock early in 2007." Hedgecock ended up starting for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and was Second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl alternate in 2008.[6] On the day of the Karney signing, Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said, "Mike has proven to be a solid fullback since entering the league in 2004. We are excited that he is now a Ram and we looking forward to him being an effective part of our offense in the future." Steven Jackson echoed that saying, "I've seen the holes that he's opened up…I'm looking forward to working with him."[7]
On February 8, 2011, the Rams released Karney.
Seattle Seahawks
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/sports/126816128.html
References
- ^ NCAA bbs.com
- ^ Mike Karney, DS #6 FB, Arizona State, Pro Scout Draft.com
- ^ The Huddle.com
- ^ New Orleans Times-Picayune July 29, 2004
- ^ Saints Cut Karney Yahoo Sports, March 5, 2009.
- ^ Karney, Rams agree to contract ESPN.com, March 11, 2009.
- ^ Rams get experienced fullback St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 12, 2009.
External links
New Orleans Saints 2004 NFL Draft selections Categories:- 1981 births
- Living people
- People from San Jose, California
- American football fullbacks
- Arizona State Sun Devils football players
- New Orleans Saints players
- St. Louis Rams players
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