Mr_Tomahawk
02-14-2012, 08:43 AM
30 FAs in 30 Days: Antonio Garay
By Josh Looney
Today's featured player is San Diego Chargers nose tackle Antonio Garay
NAME: Antonio Garay
POSITION: Nose Tackle
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 320
COLLEGE: Boston College
GP/GS: 48/28
AGE/EXPEREINCE: 32/6 seasons
BACKGROUND: A late bloomer, Garay’s NFL career didn’t’ take flight until 2010 when the Chargers moved on from perennial All-Pro nose tackle Jamal Williams. Garay was a 30-year old journeyman at the time, bouncing on and off practice squads and active rosters with just 16 games to show for seven years spent in the NFL.
Garay had logged no sacks and only 14 career tackles prior to winning out as the Chargers starting nose tackle in 2010. He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2003.
But something clicked when Garay received the first regular playing time of his career. He was more than a pleasant surprise for the Chargers, pairing 5.5 sacks with 48 tackles in his 15 starts for the team two seasons ago.
Garay has since appeared in every game for San Diego each of the past two seasons, making 28 total starts.
Though his numbers last season weren’t as impressive his 2010 campaign, Garay’s stout play as a two-gap player will make him attractive to plenty of 3-4 defenses this off-season. Especially since he’s shown the ability to get to get after the quarterback.
AVAILABILITY: In many ways, Garay resembles a San Diego version of former Chiefs defensive lineman Shaun Smith.
Like Smith, Garay has a big personality both inside and outside the clubhouse. He often mixes hair colors like Dennis Rodman, sports facial hair the Chiefs haven’t seen since Mike Vrabel’s chops (which don’t really offer much comparison) and has even been known to drive around in a Hello Kitty Smart Car.
On the field, Garay gave the Chargers far more production than they originally expected and he’s in line to receive what will likely be the biggest contract of his career.
How much are the Chargers willing to dish to re-sign Garay? Will they be willing to get into a bidding war with another club?
The Titans, you might recall, raised a few eyebrows in Kansas City when the team offered Smith a three-year, $7.25 million contract that included $3.25 million in the first year. Smith was making much less with the Chiefs and even spent time in the UFL trying to regain his NFL stride.
Garay was a low salary vet for San Diego, but he may be one of the most sought nose tackles in 2012 free agency. What will his worth be on the open market and how high are the Chargers willing to bid?
COACHING CONNECTIONS: Garay just missed crossing paths with Romeo Crennel in Cleveland when he was released by the Browns in December of 2004. Crennel was named Cleveland’s head coach in February of 2005.
Regardless, the Chiefs staff is familiar with Garay from playing against him twice a year for the past two seasons. Also, with Garay having played collegiately at Boston College, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli wasn’t far away while serving as the Vice President of Player Personnel in New England.
WHY HE FITS: The Chiefs have two nose tackles under contract for 2012, but neither has much NFL experience. A sixth-round pick last season, Jerrell Powe played just seven defensive snaps as a rookie and Anthony Toribio has spent the majority of his NFL career on the practice squad.
Kelly Gregg, a 14-game starter last season, is contemplating retirement and scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency. Amon Gordon, who was Gregg’s primary backup and a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs last year, is set to become an unrestricted free agent as well.
With little experience at the position, the Chiefs will need to make a move at nose tackle in one way or another.
Garay is one of several 3-4 nose tackles with starting experience scheduled to hit the open market.
By Josh Looney
Today's featured player is San Diego Chargers nose tackle Antonio Garay
NAME: Antonio Garay
POSITION: Nose Tackle
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 320
COLLEGE: Boston College
GP/GS: 48/28
AGE/EXPEREINCE: 32/6 seasons
BACKGROUND: A late bloomer, Garay’s NFL career didn’t’ take flight until 2010 when the Chargers moved on from perennial All-Pro nose tackle Jamal Williams. Garay was a 30-year old journeyman at the time, bouncing on and off practice squads and active rosters with just 16 games to show for seven years spent in the NFL.
Garay had logged no sacks and only 14 career tackles prior to winning out as the Chargers starting nose tackle in 2010. He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2003.
But something clicked when Garay received the first regular playing time of his career. He was more than a pleasant surprise for the Chargers, pairing 5.5 sacks with 48 tackles in his 15 starts for the team two seasons ago.
Garay has since appeared in every game for San Diego each of the past two seasons, making 28 total starts.
Though his numbers last season weren’t as impressive his 2010 campaign, Garay’s stout play as a two-gap player will make him attractive to plenty of 3-4 defenses this off-season. Especially since he’s shown the ability to get to get after the quarterback.
AVAILABILITY: In many ways, Garay resembles a San Diego version of former Chiefs defensive lineman Shaun Smith.
Like Smith, Garay has a big personality both inside and outside the clubhouse. He often mixes hair colors like Dennis Rodman, sports facial hair the Chiefs haven’t seen since Mike Vrabel’s chops (which don’t really offer much comparison) and has even been known to drive around in a Hello Kitty Smart Car.
On the field, Garay gave the Chargers far more production than they originally expected and he’s in line to receive what will likely be the biggest contract of his career.
How much are the Chargers willing to dish to re-sign Garay? Will they be willing to get into a bidding war with another club?
The Titans, you might recall, raised a few eyebrows in Kansas City when the team offered Smith a three-year, $7.25 million contract that included $3.25 million in the first year. Smith was making much less with the Chiefs and even spent time in the UFL trying to regain his NFL stride.
Garay was a low salary vet for San Diego, but he may be one of the most sought nose tackles in 2012 free agency. What will his worth be on the open market and how high are the Chargers willing to bid?
COACHING CONNECTIONS: Garay just missed crossing paths with Romeo Crennel in Cleveland when he was released by the Browns in December of 2004. Crennel was named Cleveland’s head coach in February of 2005.
Regardless, the Chiefs staff is familiar with Garay from playing against him twice a year for the past two seasons. Also, with Garay having played collegiately at Boston College, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli wasn’t far away while serving as the Vice President of Player Personnel in New England.
WHY HE FITS: The Chiefs have two nose tackles under contract for 2012, but neither has much NFL experience. A sixth-round pick last season, Jerrell Powe played just seven defensive snaps as a rookie and Anthony Toribio has spent the majority of his NFL career on the practice squad.
Kelly Gregg, a 14-game starter last season, is contemplating retirement and scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency. Amon Gordon, who was Gregg’s primary backup and a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs last year, is set to become an unrestricted free agent as well.
With little experience at the position, the Chiefs will need to make a move at nose tackle in one way or another.
Garay is one of several 3-4 nose tackles with starting experience scheduled to hit the open market.