#73 Marcus McNeill | OT
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Position: OT College: Auburn Height: 6-7 Weight: 336 Age: 24 Experience: 3rd Season Acquired: Draft '06 Hometown: Decatur, Georgia |
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Career StatsThe only thing bigger than Marcus McNeill’s smile is his level of talent. Two years into his NFL career, the former Auburn Tiger has been to two Pro Bowls and is starting to hear his name mentioned among the best left tackles in football.
McNeill earned his second trip to Hawaii in February 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 help him keep pass rushers at bay as he is served with the crucial task of protecting Philip Rivers’ blindside.
The Chargers selected McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft and the Bolts were fortunate to find the big fella available at that point. While McNeill undoubtedly possessed first-round talent, it was reported that he was slowed by a back ailment in college that would most likely limit him in the NFL. The Chargers were confident in their medical research and their diligence has paid off. In his first two seasons, McNeill has yet to miss start or practice during the regular season.
McNeill’s rookie season in 2006 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 during the season. More often than not, Tomlinson found running room behind the 336-pound McNeill.
More honors came pouring in during and after the ’06 season for the Bolts’ behemoth tackle. In September, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month and at the end of the year, his Pro Bowl selection was accompanied by several All-Pro and All-Rookie honors.
McNeill’s first trip to Hawaii was unique. He became just the third rookie offensive lineman in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl honors, joining Richmond Webb (1991 Pro Bowl) and Chris Hinton (1984 Pro Bowl).
Off the field, McNeill enjoys spending time with his family in Decatur, Georgia. The easygoing McNeill particularly likes to spend time with his father, James, who was his high school coach at Cedar Grove High School and now teaches and coaches at Cedar Grove Middle School, and his mother, Leola, who is a nurse and a Colonel in the Air Force at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia. He also likes to watch his nephew, Marquez, ride his four-wheeler.
Marcus makes his home locally in Chula Vista where his roommate is Chargers defensive tackle Brandon McKinney. His hobbies outside of football include playing basketball and watching movies.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round draft choice (50) by San Diego, April 29, 2006.
2007: Selected as second-alternate to AFC Pro Bowl roster and tabbed to play in place of Baltimore’s Jonathan Ogden...San Diego’s Offensive Line turned in one of its best performances of season Oct. 7 at Denver, not allowing sack in 18 pass plays, and more importantly, helping clear way for 214-yard rushing day, Bolts’ highest total since Oct. 29, 2006 against St. Louis…on Oct. 14 against Oakland, line was again at its best as they did not allow sack in 21 pass plays while anchoring 206-yard rushing performance…Bolts allowed only one sack in 11 pass plays Oct. 28 vs. Houston and third-quarter sack was Bolts’ first allowed since Sept. 30 vs. K.C….ended string of 57-straight pass plays without allowing sack…line powered way for 191-yard rushing attack in 24-10 win at Kansas City Dec. 2…Bolts broke 10-10 tie at half with rushing touchdowns of 31 and 28 yards in third and fourth quarters…line helped Chargers rush for 274 yards vs. Detroit on Dec. 16, second-highest total ever in team history…team record (287) was set against the New York Jets on Oct. 13, 1963…line also did not allow any sacks against Lions…line only allowed one sack in 26 pass plays and helped team rush for 147 yards in 23-3 win over Denver on ESPN Monday Night Football Dec. 24…allowed only one sack and blocked for 120 yard rush day at Oakland Dec. 30…only allowed one sack in 31 pass plays in AFC Wild Card Playoff win over Tennessee Jan. 6…did not allow any sacks in Jan. 13 AFC Divisional Playoff win at Indianapolis… line also had perfect blocks as Billy Volek scored game-winning touchdown on one-yard quarterback sneak.
2006: Selected as first-alternate to AFC Pro Bowl squad and added to team after Cincinnati’s Willie Anderson pulled out due to injury...selected to USA Today Sports Weekly’s All-Pro Team...named to All-Rookie Team by Pro Football Weekly and Professional Football Writers of America...chosen to USA Today’s All-Joe Team...named Chargers co-Lineman of Year...named NFL Offensive Rookie of Month in September...started Weeks 1-16 and AFC Divisional Playoff game vs. New England...line did not allow any sacks and paved way for team to rush for 194 yards and two touchdowns in season opener at Oakland...quarterback Philip Rivers was only hit one time all night by Raiders defense, but on that play he completed 38-yard pass to Eric Parker that set up touchdown to give team 20-0 lead...line cleared way for 241-yard rushing day and three touchdowns, including two by LT, against Tennessee Sept. 17...for second-consecutive week, line did not allow any sacks...also for second week in row, Rivers was only hit one time in game by Tennessee’s defense and on that play, he still completed 12-yard pass to Michael Turner...line cleared way for 150-yard rushing game Week 3 against Baltimore, team which was ranked first in league against run and only surrendering 34.3 yards per game on ground coming into contest...only surrendered one sack to Ravens defense and it came on Hail Mary play on last snap of game...line helped Bolts rush for 119 yards against Pittsburgh in Sunday Night game Oct. 8...Steelers had come into contest ranked fourth in league vs. run and only allowing 78.3 yards per game...line didn’t allow any sacks in 39 pass attempts at San Francisco Oct. 15...marked third game of season group did not allow sack...line set tone for big day against St. Louis Oct. 29 as Bolts rushed for 216 yards against Rams, second 200-yard rushing game of season, and group only allowed one sack in 24 passing plays...line helped pave way for 190-yard rushing effort against Cleveland Nov. 5...helped clear way for LT to rush for 104 yards and four touchdowns in 49-41 win at Cincinnati Nov. 12...shared Chargers Alumni Player of Week honors with offensive line as starting five cleared way for 125 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while only allowing one sack in 26 pass attempts in 35-27 comeback win at Denver Nov. 19...line allowed only one sack for two yards in 33 pass plays and helped block for 110 yards and two TDs in 21-14 win over Oakland Nov. 26...helped Bolts rush for 197 yards and two LT touchdowns in 24-21 win at Buffalo Dec. 3...came up big on fourth-quarter game-clinching touchdown drive which consumed season-long 8:06, covering 13 plays and 80 yards as Bolts ran on nine of 13 plays...group allowed Bolts to rush for 147 yards and four touchdowns Dec. 10 against Denver, allowing only two sacks, one of which was coverage sack, in 25 total pass plays...line key reason Bolts rushed for 265 yards, fifth-most in team history, in 20-9 win over Kansas City Dec. 17...helped Bolts rush for 168 yards, including 62-yard run by Tomlinson, and only allowed one sack in 31 pass plays in rainy conditions at Seattle Dec. 24...closed out season with 169-yard rushing effort in Dec. 31 win over Arizona...anchored 148-yard effort in AFC Playoffs vs. New England...starting right tackle for AFC in 2007 Pro Bowl...squad rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown, while allowing just one sack in 40 passing plays.COLLEGE: Consensus All-America selection as senior…first-team All-SEC as junior and senior…between 2002 and 2006 Capital One Bowl, played string of 43 consecutive games without allowing quarterback sack…during junior season, named SEC Lineman of Week following game against Kentucky and Auburn Player of Game following contest against Citadel…named to 2002 SEC All-Freshman Team by The Sporting News and conference coaches…played at Auburn from 2002-05…majored in adult education.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 16, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois…SuperPrep All-America at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia…selected to play in Georgia-Florida High School All-Star Game…played offensive and defensive line while also lettering in baseball, basketball and track…finished second in state in shot put.
