Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

NFL, University of Texas

Whittaker, Foswhitt “Fozzy” (2)

fwhittakerCard: SP 2012
Acquired: In person 2/24/2014, Rudy’s Ribfest 4
See Also: Fozzy Whittaker

I had gotten Fozzy at Fan Fest in Houston the previous year in 2013. He is really good with fans and at this event he was no different. After a bit of time on the practice squads of both the Cardinals and Chargers, he signed with the Browns where he remained the rest of the year.

A change in winds for the Browns led to questions about the roster from top to bottom. With Pat Shurmur sacked after 2012, and then Chudzinski in 2013, the Browns were looking in a new direction with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.  In the meantime Fozzy recorded his first 2 NFL touchdowns as a change of pace receiver out of the backfield, including a career long 35 yard scamper.

When I asked Fozzy about what was going to happen to the team or the offensive set, he told me that he was just as in the dark as I was- but he was super excited for the future. Unfortunately he’d be one of the final cuts in 2014, but quickly found a home with the Carolina Panthers where as of midway through 2014 he remains.

 

 

 

NFL

Fluker, DJ

leaf13 flukerCard: Leaf 2013 Draft
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

DJ Fluker was considered one of the prizes of the 2013 draft. The Alabama standout logged an impressive 35 career starts at right tackle and earned accolades as an AP Second-Team All-American, where he had 33 pancake blocks, 4 sacks in 267 attempts, and only missed 11 assignments and committed 2 penalties in 728 snaps in 2012. Fluker has all of the athletic tools to exceed at the next level. At 6’5″, 339, he has the huge hands to match his solid build, and can create lanes easily for the running game with at his size, length, and hustle. Zipping up the draft boards in the final days of the draft, Fluker’s knock was that he relies too much on occupying space without bringing his hands up to sustain blocks and can sometimes overextend himself. Still sold overall numbers and pro comparisons for the young tackle.

Fluker was taken by the San Diego Chargers in 2013 with the 11th pick where he immediately became the best young prospect on the line. Still he suffered the usual offensive lineman ups and downs expected for a rookie, switching from right tackle to left after King Dunlap suffered an injury, but stats don’t lie. Fluker through November of his rookie season had only allowed 3 sacks and 24 pressures and has even put in time on special teams and on PAT. Pretty solid numbers right there.

NFL

Brown, Kris

sco09 kbrownCard: Score Inscriptions 2009
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

Kris Brown is best known as the Texans first placekicker, and at this time is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Originally drafted by Pittsburgh in 1999 out of Nebraska, Kris had a strong leg and some impressive kicks for the Steelers.  When the expansion Texans arrived in 2002, they poached the protected Brown off of the Steelers roster for a mere 7th round pick. It worked out pretty well for both sides. Brown returned home to Texas, got a nice raise, and the Texans got an experienced and proven kicker for the price that they’d normally pay for somebody fresh out of college.

Brown for most of his time with the franchise had a stellar career. He tied an NFL record making 3 field goals of 54+ yards in one game, and between the Capers and early on into the Kubiak years, he was leaned upon heavily to put points on the board for the offense. He’d earn an AP nomination in 2007. When 2009 rolled around Brown’s accuracy waned, and the pressure mounted for the team to get rid of him. He’d lose out a training camp battle to venerable Neil Rackers in 2010. Kris Brown was the last player of the ‘original’ franchise when he was cut, and he had a good run.

Brown joined the San Diego Chargers as a mid-season injury replacement for Nate Kaeding, helping them beat the Texans. He’d be cut with the return of Kaeding to the lineup. Kris signed with the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the year, but was cut in July of 2011. He’s embraced retirement and owns a chain of Dunkin’ Donuts franchises.

G 179         XPA 362      XMP 355      PCT 98.1%            FGA  331     FGM 256        PCT 77.3%       PTS  1123