Manuel Wright

Last updated

Manuel Wright
No. 75
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1984-04-13) April 13, 1984 (age 40)
Compton, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:345 lb (156 kg)
Career information
High school: Long Beach Polytechnic
(Long Beach, California)
College: USC
Supplemental draft:2005 / round: 5
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:6
Sacks:1.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Manuel Wright (born April 13, 1984) is a former American football defensive tackle. [1] He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft. Wright was also briefly signed to the Buffalo Bills and played for the New York Giants where he earned a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XLII.

Contents

Early life

Wright earned various team, local and national honors as a member of the football team at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California. As a junior in 2000, Wright recorded 95 tackles (57 solo) and with 25 sacks. As a senior, Wright was the team's defensive MVP after recording 142 tackles (60 solo), 16 sacks, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, 20 deflections and an interception.

College career

Wright originally signed with USC in 2002 but did not qualify for admission, so he attended Long Beach City College that season as a part-time student. However, he did not play football there.

In 2003, Wright served as a backup for Defensive tackles Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson. While appearing in nine games during the season, Wright recorded eight tackles, including two for losses and three pass deflections. His first career sack came against Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Wright remained a backup to both Cody and Patterson as a sophomore in 2004. He appeared in 11 games including two starts when Cody was moved to Defensive end. On the year Wright had 23 tackles, including six for losses, two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. For his efforts, he was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention.

Early departure

In 2005 Wright was a projected starter for the first time in his career, however, he sat out spring practices in order to work on his academics and remain eligible. However, he was unsuccessful, and was left with the options of either staying in school and not playing football or declaring for the NFL's supplemental draft, which is held by the league to accommodate players who did not enter the regular draft. Wright chose the latter.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Leading up to the supplemental draft, many NFL teams showed interest in Wright in the form of visits, workouts and interviews. The Miami Dolphins selected Wright in the fifth round of the draft, which essentially replaced their fifth-round pick in the 2006 draft. [2] On July 22, Wright signed a four-year contract with the team. It included a signing bonus of $190,000.

Wright endured injuries and battled weight issues during his first training camp while his work ethic and maturity were questioned by some. In a much publicized incident on July 26, Wright broke down in tears during practice after being scolded by head coach Nick Saban. [3]

As a rookie, Wright was active for three games during the season. He made his NFL debut on December 4 against the Buffalo Bills, stepping in for injured Nose tackle Keith Traylor. Wright recorded two tackles and a sack. He finished the season with four tackles, one sack and one pass deflected.

Wright reportedly gained 28 pounds during the 2006 offseason, but lost most of the weight during training camp. On August 8, a reportedly depressed Wright took a leave of absence from the team. He was quoted as saying he "did not believe he would ever play for the Dolphins again and that he needed a 'fresh start'".

Despite requests from his family and from Head coach Nick Saban, Wright remained away from football in 2006. The Dolphins attempted to trade him, unsuccessfully, but were unable to reach an agreement to release him. The team received a roster exemption for Wright in 2006 and he was placed on the non-football injury list.

Although Wright had returned to the team during the 2007 offseason under new head coach Cam Cameron, he was released on May 1. [4]

Buffalo Bills

On May 3, the Buffalo Bills claimed Wright on waivers. [5] Less than a week later, he was waived by the Bills. He told Chris Brown of the team's official website that he had 30 pounds to lose. [6] Wright was subsequently cut by the Bills on May 10 after showing up at the team's first minicamp overweight. [7]

New York Giants

Wright signed with the New York Giants on August 15, 2007. He appeared in six games during the regular season and recorded two tackles. He was also a member of the Giants' Super Bowl XLII championship team.

On April 10, 2008, the Giants waived Wright.

af2

In 2008 Wright joined the af2 and on December 22 was assigned to the Stockton Lightning. [8] However, on May 8, he was suspended by the team. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Thomas</span> American football player (born 1973)

Zachary Michael Thomas, nicknamed "Baby Elephant", is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected in the fifth round, 22nd pick, in the 1996 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, and played for the Dolphins in his first 12 seasons in the NFL, before playing his 13th and final season with the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Porter</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Joseph Eugene Porter Sr. is an American professional football coach and former player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado State Rams and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers and was also a member of the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers drafted his son, Joey Porter Jr., with the thirty-second overall selection of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Zgonina</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Jeffrey Marc Zgonina is an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL draft.

Leon Lett Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. Lett played college football at Emporia State University and was selected in the seventh round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Cowboys, where he spent 10 seasons. During his final season in 2001, he played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Cody</span> American football player (born 1983)

Shaun Michael Cody is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors. The Detroit Lions chose him in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft. He is currently a commentator for the USC football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Channing Crowder</span> American football player (born 1983)

Randolph Channing Crowder Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for six seasons with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Florida Gators, earning first-team All-American honors in 2004. Crowder was selected by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft, and played his entire professional career with Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Cox</span> American football player and coach (born 1968)

Bryan Keith Cox Sr. is an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the assistant defensive line coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a linebacker in the NFL. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Miami Dolphins, and was a member of the New England Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Reggie Jermaine Torbor is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Auburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Williams (defensive tackle)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Kyle Derrick Williams is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 13-year career as a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft, playing 13 seasons with them before retiring following the 2018 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Ninkovich</span> American football player (born 1984)

Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker and defensive end for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers as a defensive end and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls with the latter. After eight seasons with the Patriots, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2016 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Timmons</span> American football player (born 1986)

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers the following year, and played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

Lionel Eugene Dotson, Jr. is a former American football defensive tackle. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Pierre-Paul</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jason Andrew Pierre-Paul is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. With the Giants, Pierre-Paul made two Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro and won Super Bowl XLVI. With the Buccaneers, Pierre-Paul made his third Pro Bowl and won Super Bowl LV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Irvin</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round with the 15th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos, and also played in Super Bowl XLIX where he became the first player ever to be ejected from a Super Bowl. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivier Vernon</span> American football player (born 1990)

Olivier Alexander Vernon is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and outside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the Miami Hurricanes. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and also played for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Van Noy</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Van Noy is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Van Noy played college football at BYU. He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, with whom he spent his first three seasons. Van Noy played his next four seasons for the New England Patriots, where he won Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Following a year as a member of the Miami Dolphins, he rejoined New England in 2021. Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiko Alonso</span> American football player (born 1990)

Kristian "Kiko" Alonso is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was traded four times in his NFL career, which is tied with Eric Dickerson and Brandin Cooks for an NFL record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalil Mack</span> American football player (born 1991)

Khalil Delshon Mack is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls and was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquil Barrett</span> American football player (born 1992)

Shaquil Akeem Barrett is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks before transferring to the Colorado State Rams. Barrett was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Broncos, including winning Super Bowl 50, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barrett's level of play increased, making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2019 after leading the league in sacks, and in 2021 won Super Bowl LV, recording a sack in the game. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 before retiring from football shortly after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Milano</span> American football player (born 1994)

Matthew Vincent Milano is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College.

References

  1. 1 2 "Transaction Bulletin #150". af2.com. af2. May 8, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Dolphins' Wright breaks down during workout". ESPN.com. July 27, 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ Miami Herald [ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Bills claim former Dolphin DT Wright off waivers". ESPN.com. May 3, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Inside the Bills Homepage - Buffalo Bills". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ "NFL News, Scores, Standings & Stats". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Lightning Take Giant Step With Roster". StocktonLightning.com. Stockton Lightning. December 22, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.