The Chargers believe Scott Mruczkowski (Merch-COW-ski) has a bright future and with that in mind, the team awarded the four-year veteran with a new three-year contract in February. A former seventh-round draft choice, Mruczkowski was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this spring before signing his new deal.
Scott Mruczkowski (merch-COW-ski) has found his niche on the team’s offensive line. After serving as a key backup at all three interior line positions, he has settled at center.
While playing mostly guard, two years ago it was his block that bought Philip Rivers the extra time necessary to throw the go-ahead touchdown pass in the Bolts AFC Wild Card Playoff win over Tennessee, their first postseason victory since 1994.
Last year, he again had his number called during a pivotal late-season game at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium to play left guard and again Mruczkowski delivered as the Bolts rallied from a 21-10 deficit with two touchdowns in the final 1:13. It’s this kind of versatility that led General Manager A.J. Smith to reward “Mooch” with a new three-year contract thru 2010 last February.
Scott is not the only NFL player in the family. His brother, Gene, enjoyed an NFL career as an offensive lineman with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
Since college, Mruczkowski has been an avid golfer. In 2004, he scored a hole in one on the par-three ninth hole at the Brandywine Country Club in Ohio while playing with Gene and a family friend. Mruczkowski also enjoys fishing. As a Cleveland-area native, he certainly doesn’t miss Ohio winters. He spends as much time as possible at San Diego’s beaches and loves the water. His uncle, Steve, has a boat and a cabin on Catawba Island in Ohio and taught Mooch to fish when he was a child.
Mruczkowski is engaged to Kate LaMaster. The couple plans to wed in February.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: Seventh-round pick (242), April 24, 2005…signed, June 16, 2005...signed three-year contract thru 2010, Feb. 27, 2008.
2009:Started week two vs. Baltimore at C for Nick Hardwick. Received Coaches game ball.
2008: Started Wk 12 vs. Atlanta at LG for Kris Dielman, who was late scratch due to stomach virus… took over for Dielman in 2Q of KC game Dec. 14 after he was ejected for throwing phantom punch...Chargers trailed 21-10 in 4Q of Chiefs game and rallied for 22-21 win, with OL giving Philip Rivers time to complete 19 of 25 for 199 yards with two TDs.
2007: Came in for one snap at RG Dec. 2 at KC after Mike Goff was injured and buried Chiefs defender to open huge hole for LT to score TD on 31-yard run…reported as extra OL for one play late in 3Q of AFC Wild Card Playoffs vs. Tennessee and threw key block to help give Rivers time to throw 25-yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson that gave Chargers’ their first lead of game.
2006: Saw late action in Sept. 17 game vs. Tennessee at LG and helped deliver key blocks during 73-yard run by Michael Turner and 14-yard TD run by Charlie Whitehurst two plays later…started Wk 11 vs. Oakland for injured Dielman…injured knee Wk 13 vs. Denver during PAT and INA Wks 14-16…returned to action for AFC Playoffs vs. NE.
2005: Saw ST action Weeks 6-7, 9-11 & 15.
COLLEGE: Second-team All-MAC and team captain as senior in ’04…invited to 2005 East-West Shrine Game…started school-record 49 consecutive games… first-team all-conference and Team’s Top OL in ’03… started at LG as frosh and soph...redshirted in 2000… played at Bowling Green from 2000-04…productions and operations management major.
PERSONAL: Born in Cleveland, Ohio…all-area at Benedictine HS in Cleveland, state champions in ’96 and regional champs in ’97…lettered in track…student council president…dean’s list student with 3.5 GPA.