Solomon Page

Last updated

Solomon Page
No. 77, 79
Position: Guard / Tackle
Personal information
Born: (1976-02-27) February 27, 1976 (age 48)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school: Brashear (Pittsburgh)
College: West Virginia
NFL draft: 1999  / Round: 2 / Pick: 55
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:67
Games started:58
Player stats at PFR

Solomon Page (born February 27, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Contents

Early years

Page was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he played football at Brashear High School and was an All-city selection at defensive tackle. After graduating from high school, he spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy improving his grades. [1]

College career

He accepted a football scholarship from West Virginia University. As a red-shirt freshman, he played offensive lineman, earning the starting left tackle job and grading out at 84% consistency. He blocked for fellow freshman Amos Zereoué, becoming just the 11th freshman since 1980 to earn a spot in the Mountaineer Club for players who grade at least 80 percent.

As a sophomore, he earned All-Big East honors for an offense that amassed 4,602 yards. As a junior, he was an All-Big East selection while grading out at 89% consistency for an offense that generated 5,546 total yards. He declared after the season for the NFL draft.

During his career at West Virginia, Page helped to anchor an offensive line that helped the offense produced at least 300 yards in each of his final 21 career games. He contributed to All-American running back Zereoué becoming the school and Big East's all-time leading rusher (4,054) yards, quarterback Marc Bulger becoming the school's career passing yards leader (5,995) and wide receiver David Saunders becoming the school's career leader in receiving yards. Page was an athletic coaching education major.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Page was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second-round (55th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft. [2] During training camp he was moved to offensive guard. [3]

He made his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals on October 3, which was also his first professional start, as a right tackle replacement for injured starter Erik Williams. Beginning on November 21, Page started five consecutive games at left guard replacing injured starter Larry Allen. As a rookie, he contributed to the Cowboys offensive line allowing just 24 sacks, the second fewest in the NFL, [4] while allowing one or fewer sacks in nine-of-16 games. In addition, the offensive line helped running back Emmitt Smith to his highest single-season rushing total (1,397) since 1995. [5]

In 2000, Page began the season as the starting right guard and was part of an offensive line that surrendered 35 sacks, with only 12 teams allowing fewer on the season. [6] In the opener against Philadelphia, he started the game at right guard but was shifted to right tackle after start Williams was ejected. Later in the season on December 10, against the Washington Redskins Page started at guard but moved to right tackle again when Williams suffered a neck injury early in the second half.

In 2001, he was moved to right tackle to replace Williams who had left via free agency to play for the Baltimore Ravens. He was part of an offensive line that helped the Cowboys finish third in the league in rushing with 136.5 yards-per-game. The offensive line also helped Emmitt Smith rush for a league record 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season, while he also moved into second place on the NFL's all-time career rushing list with 16,187 career yards. The offensive line also allowed just 34 sacks in 447 pass plays on the season. [7] Just 12 teams allowed fewer sacks for the year and only eight teams lost fewer yards due to sacks than the 190 lost by the Cowboys. [7]

It is believed 2002 was the first time an NFL franchise had five African American starters on their offensive line, when the Cowboys lined up rookie center Andre Gurode, tackles Flozell Adams and Page, guards Larry Allen and Kelvin Garmon. [8] That season, he started in 15 games (10 at right tackle and 5 at right guard). He also became part of history as the starting guard on the Cowboys offensive line that helped Emmitt Smith eclipse Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, playing against the Seattle Seahawks on October 27.

San Diego Chargers

On June 5, 2003, he was signed by the San Diego Chargers as a free agent, reuniting with Hudson Houck who was his offensive line coach with the Cowboys. [9] In his one season with the Chargers, he played in eight games (missed eight with a sprained left ankle injury), with seven starts at right guard, helping the team rush for 2,146 and pass for 3,226, sixth and 22nd in the league respectively. [10]

Detroit Lions

On July 27, 2004, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions. [11] He was waived on August 23. [12]

New York Giants

On August 25, 2004, he signed with the New York Giants as a free agent. [13] He was released on September 5. [14]

Personal life

Page is currently an offensive line coach at Carrollton Christian Academy in Carrollton, Texas.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmitt Smith</span> American football player (born 1969)

Emmitt James Smith III is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, 13 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and 2 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Among other accolades, he is the league's all-time leading rusher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Allen</span> American football player (1971–2024)

Larry Christopher Allen Jr. was an American professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Butte Roadrunners and the Sonoma State Cossacks, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Allen is regarded as one of the NFL's physically strongest players ever, while also capable of using his speed against defenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norv Turner</span> American football coach (born 1952)

Norval Turner is a former American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). An offensive assistant for the majority of his coaching career, Turner was the Dallas Cowboys' offensive coordinator during their consecutive Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Mark Pulemau Tuinei was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Known as a "gentle giant", his career lasted for 15 years (1983–1997) and his ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped them win Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995 and the NFC East Division in 1985 and 1992-96. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Bugel</span> American football player and coach (1940–2020)

Joseph John Bugel was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). For many years, he was acknowledged as the greatest offensive line coach in the league, particularly with the Washington Redskins under head coach Joe Gibbs in the 1980s. He was the architect behind "The Hogs", the Redskins' dominant offensive line that helped lead them to three Super Bowl wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Colombo</span> American football player and coach (born 1978)

Marc Edward Colombo is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. After his playing career, he served as an offensive line coach for the Cowboys and Giants.

L. J. Shelton is an American former professional football player who was a offensive tackle for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals 21st overall in the 1999 NFL draft. He played college football at Eastern Michigan.

Hudson Houck is an American football coach and college player who was an offensive line coach for a six teams of the National Football League (NFL) over a 40-year coaching career. Houck retired on January 10, 2012.

Raymond Canute Donaldson is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Kevin Patrick Gogan is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected in the eighth round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1987 NFL Draft. With the Cowboys, Gogan won Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII, both over the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Goff (American football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Michael Jason Goff is a former American football guard and coach. He currently serves as an offensive line coach at San Diego State. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa.

John Christian Gesek Jr. is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets and was selected in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL draft. Gesek won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys over the Buffalo Bills as a starting offensive lineman.

Ron Christopher Stone is an American former professional football guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles.

John Wesley Ours is a former Arena football running back / linebacker. He played collegiately at West Virginia University. He was nicknamed "Wes Express" in college because of his ability to run over other players. He also was the biggest fullback in the country during his senior season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He ended his professional football career by winning ArenaBowl XXII with the Philadelphia Soul in 2008.

Kelvin Garmon is a former American football offensive guard. He played college football at Baylor University and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Garmon was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders.

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

Alexander Boone is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He also played in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trai Turner</span> American football player (born 1993)

Trai Denzell Turner is an American football offensive guard who is a free agent. He played college football at LSU and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, where he made the Pro Bowl every year from 2015 to 2019. Turner has also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders.

Jeremy Adam McKinney is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Iowa.

Stacy Searels is the current offensive line coach for the Georgia Bulldogs football team.

References

  1. ↑ "West Vigirginia's Logan a grabber" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  2. ↑ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Rookie doesn't mind adjustment" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  4. ↑ "1999 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Emmitt Smith". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ "2000 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "2001 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Color barrier on offensive line disappearing" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Chargers sign Page" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "2003 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Lions sign Butler, Page" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Transactions". New York Times. August 24, 2004. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Transactions". New York Times. August 26, 2004. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Transactions". New York Times. September 6, 2004. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
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.