Dan Morgan

Daniel Thomas Morgan, Jr. (born December 19, 1978) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football for the University of Miami, was recognized as an All-American, and won multiple national awards. The Carolina Panthers chose him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2004. He currently is the Director of Player Personnel for the Buffalo Bills.

For the former NFL offensive lineman, see Dan Morgan (offensive lineman).
Dan Morgan
Buffalo Bills
Position:Director of player personnel
Personal information
Born: (1978-12-19) December 19, 1978
Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania
Career information
High school:J. P. Taravella
(Coral Springs, Florida)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL Draft:2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:390
Sacks:7.0
Interceptions:5
Forced Fumbles:3
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Morgan was born in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. He grew up playing football for the Clifton Heights Rams of the Bert Bell Football League near Philadelphia.[1] After playing freshman football at Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, Morgan attended J. P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, Florida. As a senior, he was an all-county pick at tailback, linebacker, and strong safety for the Taravella Trojans. As a junior tailback, he rushed for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns.

College career

Morgan attended the University of Miami and played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1997 to 2000. He began his college career playing as a fullback, but was switched to weakside linebacker one week before the season started. He became the first freshman linebacker to start for the Hurricanes since Ray Lewis in 1993. As a freshman, he was named second-team freshman All-American by the Sporting News after posting 105 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

As a sophomore, he became the first sophomore team captain in team history, and made the All-Big East Team, after leading the team with 150 tackles. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Nagurski Trophy as a junior, and was rewarded with a second-team All-Big East for collecting 139 tackles and 5 sacks. He finally captured both awards, as well as the Bednarik Award, becoming the first player in NCAA history to win all three awards in a career (and the same year). He was recognized as a first-team All-Big East selection, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and a unanimous first-team All-American in 2000.[2] Upon graduating, Morgan held the Hurricanes' team and Big East conference records for most career tackles with 532.

Morgan was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame at the 43rd Annual Induction Banquet in 2011.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Morgan was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round, with the 11th overall selection, in the 2001 NFL Draft.

In the 2001 season, he started 11 games at weakside and strongside linebacker, posting 75 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery.

In his second season, Morgan helped turn the Panthers from the worst defense in the 2001 NFL season to the second-ranked defense, becoming the first team to make such an improvement in one season. Morgan was also an integral part of the Panthers defense that led the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII, where he posted an NFL Super Bowl record 18 tackles (11 solo, 7 assists).[3] For the 2004 NFL season, he collected 109 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and five sacks en route to being named the starting linebacker for the NFC in the 2004 Pro Bowl. In the 2005 NFL season, he was second on the team in tackles, behind Marlon McCree.

On November 6, 2007, Morgan was placed on injured reserve by the Panthers due to an ankle injury.[4] The Panthers eventually released him on February 11, 2008.

New Orleans Saints

Morgan was signed by the New Orleans Saints for the 2008 season. However, on May 19, 2008, Morgan announced his retirement from the NFL, citing the slow recovery of injuries, particularly a partially torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2007 season.

After sitting out the 2008 season, Morgan confirmed on January 26, 2009 that he had filed reinstatement papers with the NFL and expected to rejoin the New Orleans Saints; Morgan stated that he was completely healthy and ready to play.[5] He was reinstated on February 12. Morgan worked out with the Saints through the off-season, but he strained his calf muscle during a minicamp practice on June 5, 2009. On June 8, Morgan's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, announced that Morgan had informed the Saints that he would retire for the second time due to his continued injuries.[6]

Buffalo Bills

Morgan is currently the Director of Player Personnel for the Buffalo Bills.

Career statistics

Regular season

    Defense
Season Team League GP Tack Sack FF INT TD
2001 Carolina NFL 11 67 1 0 1 0
2002 Carolina NFL 8 53 1 1 1 0
2003 Carolina NFL 11 66 0 0 0 0
2004 Carolina NFL 12 101 2 1 2 0
2005 Carolina NFL 13 75 3 1 0 0
2006 Carolina NFL 1 2 0 0 0 0
2007 Carolina NFL 3 22 0 0 0 0
Regular season totals 59 386 7 3 5 0

Playoffs

    Defense
Season Team League GP Tack Sack FR INT TD
2003-04 Carolina NFL 4 57 0 0 1 0
2005-06 Carolina NFL 3 14 1 0 0 0
Playoff totals 7 71 1 0 1 0
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References
  1. "CHBC alumnus Dan Morgan" at Clifton Heights Rams website. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  2. 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners , National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  3. "Super Bowl Stats: by Player Tackles". Nfl.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  4. "NFL Transactions". Nfl.com. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  5. New Orleans Saints Linebacker Morgan Plans Comeback After Retirement ESPN.com, January 26, 2009
  6. Pat Yasinskas, "Agent says Morgan decision final", ESPN.com, June 8, 2009.
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