Players

  The only thing bigger than Marcus McNeill’s talent is his smile. Unfortunately last year that smile gave way to a look of pain, discomfort and concern. Early in training camp, McNeill suffered a stinger that cost him most of camp and the first two games of the regular season. Even when he returned, McNeill didn’t feel as though he was playing at a Pro Bowl level. To return to that level, McNeill had surgery on his neck this offseason. Chargers fans can breathe a sigh of relief that big No. 73 will be back patrolling his left tackle spot in 2009.

  Besides his work in the Chargers’ offseason program, McNeill spent time in Atlanta working out with a couple of his former college teammates, Carolina Panthers tackle Jonathan Palmer and Philadelphia Eagles tackle King Dunlap.

  The Chargers stole McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft and his rookie season was one for the storybooks. He helped the Bolts rush for a team-record 2,578 yards and according to the coaches grading system, allowed only two quarterback sacks in 494 total pass plays. McNeill earned All-Pro and All-Rookie honors, and became just the third rookie offensive lineman in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl.

  McNeill earned his second trip to Hawaii in February ’08 following a strong sophomore campaign in which he helped running back LaDainian Tomlinson capture his second-consecutive NFL rushing title. McNeill’s long arms and quick feet also helped him keep pass rushers at bay as he served the crucial task of protecting Philip Rivers’ blindside.

  Off the field, McNeill enjoys spending time with his son, Marcus II, and the rest of his family in Decatur, Georgia, including his father, James, who was his high school coach at Cedar Grove High School and now teaches and coaches at Cedar Grove Middle School. His mother, Leola, is a nurse and a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia.

  McNeill also enjoys basketball, bowling, movies and watching the Atlanta Braves play. Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur, a former wide receiver and safety from Georgia’s Parkview High School, was one of McNeill’s teammates in the 2002 Florida-Georgia All-Star Football Game. Believe it or not, McNeill played baseball in high school and as a pitcher had a fastball that registered in the mid-90s, and Francoeur was offered a football scholarship to Clemson, but opted for baseball when the Braves made him a first-round pick in 2002.

  Last October, McNeill kicked off a new charitable foundation, “Mack’s Miracles,” with a goal of promoting healthy lifestyles and the fight against obesity in both San Diego and Decatur. In June, Marcus hosted a “Hip-Hop Weekend” in San Diego that included a football camp and celebrity events to raise money for the foundation.

  TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round choice (50), April 29, 2006...signed four-year contract, July 25, 2006.

  2008: Pro Bowl third-alternate…INA Wks 1-2 with neck injury…returned to starting lineup Wk 3 vs. NY Jets….OL had outstanding night vs. NE Wk 6, not allowing sack, while Philip Rivers threw for 306 yards and three TDs…line played huge role in 4Q comeback Dec. 14 at KC, allowing Rivers time to complete 19 of 25 for 199 yards with two TDs as team rallied from 21-10 deficit for 22-21 win…OL pass protected for Rivers to throw career-high four TDs in key 41-24 win at TB Dec. 21…line closed out season, blocking for team-record 289 yards in AFC West clinching win over Denver Dec. 28…OL keyed 167-yard rushing night in Jan. 5 AFC Wild Card Playoff win over Indy, including GW TD on 22-yard run in OT.

 2007: Pro Bowl second-alternate...tabbed to play in place of Baltimore’s Jonathan Ogden…Oct. 7 at Denver, OL cleared way for 214 yards rushing and Oct. 14 vs. Oakland, anchored 206-yard rushing performance…line powered way for 191 yards rushing in 24-10 win at KC Dec. 2, including rush TDs of 31 and 28 yards to break 10-10 tie at half…blocked 274-yard rush day vs. Detroit Dec. 16, then second-most in team history…OL DNA any sacks in Jan. 13 AFC Divisional Playoff win at Indianapolis and OL had perfect blocks as Billy Volek scored GW TD on one-yard QB sneak in 4Q.

 2006: Pro Bowl first-alternate...added to team after Cincinnati’s Willie Anderson pulled out due to injury…USA Today Sports Weekly All-Pro...All-Rookie by PFW and PFWA…USA Today All-Joe…Chargers co-Lineman of Year…NFL Offensive ROM in September…OL allowed no sacks and cleared way for 241-yard rushing day and three TDs vs. Tennessee Sept. 17…line cleared way for 150-yard rush game Wk 3 vs. Baltimore, team which was ranked first in NFL vs. run  (34.3 ypg) coming into game…OL set tone for 216-yard rush day vs. St. Louis Oct. 29…shared Chargers Alumni POW honors with OL after 35-27 comeback win at Denver Nov. 19…line anchored 265-yard rush game in 20-9 win over KC Dec. 17…blocked for 148-yard rush effort in AFC Playoffs vs. NE…started at RT for AFC in 2007 Pro Bowl.

 COLLEGE: All-America as senior…first-team All-SEC as junior and senior…between 2002 and 2006 Capital One Bowl, played 43 consecutive games without allowing sack…SEC Lineman of Week following ’04 game against Kentucky and Auburn POG following Citadel contest…2002 SEC All-Freshman…played at Auburn from 2002-05…adult education major.  PERSONAL: Born in Chicago, Illinois…All-America at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia… selected to play in Georgia-Florida All-Star Game… lettered in baseball, basketball and track…second in state in shot put.