Player Information
He was born on February 13, 1982 in Waukegan, IL and graduated from North Chicago HS in Chicago, IL. He enrolled at Northern Illinois, where he started 2 of 11 game as a freshman. He rushed 200 times for 983 yards (4.9 avg) and 7 touchdowns with 4 receptions for 45 yards. His sophomore year, he appeared in 10 games, rushing 92 times for 395 yards (4.2 avg) and 3 scores with 10 receptions for 76 yards. As a junior, he returned to the starting lineup starting 11 games. He finished second in the country with 1915 yards on 338 carries (5.6 avg) and 19 touchdowns with 10 receptions for 100 yards. He earned MAC Player of the Year honors as well earning 3rd team All-American honors from The Sporting News. As a senior, he once again placed second in the nation with 1648 yards on 310 carries (5.3 avg) and 14 touchdowns, catching 19 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. He earned 2nd team All-American honors from TSN and 3rd team honors from the AP. As both a junior and senior, he was 1st team All-MAC honoree. He finished his days at NIU atop their all-time lists in yards (4941), attempts (940), touchdowns (43), 100-yard games (21), and all-purpose yards (6038). He also finished 2nd in school annals in points scored (288), and 13th in NCAA history in rushing yards. Originally a 5th round pick (154th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft. Named to NFC Pro Bowl team in 2008.
Career Statistics
| RUSHING | RECEIVING | ||||||||||
| Year | Team | G | GS | Att. | Yds | Avg | TD | No. | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2004 | SD | 14 | 1 | 20 | 104 | 5.2 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2005 | SD | 16 | 0 | 57 | 335 | 5.9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SD | 13 | 0 | 80 | 502 | 6.3 | 2 | 3 | 47 | 15.7 | 0 |
| 2007 | SD | 16 | 0 | 71 | 316 | 4.5 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 4.0 | 0 |
| 2008 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 376 | 1699 | 4.5 | 17 | 6 | 41 | 6.8 | 0 |
| 2009 | ATL | 11 | 11 | 178 | 871 | 4.9 | 10 | 5 | 35 | 7.0 | 0 |
| 2010 | ATL | 16 | 15 | 334 | 1371 | 4.1 | 12 | 12 | 85 | 7.1 | 0 |
| 2011 | ATL | 16 | 15 | 301 | 1340 | 4.5 | 11 | 17 | 168 | 9.9 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 118 | 58 | 1417 | 6538 | 4.6 | 56 | 51 | 400 | 7.8 | 0 | |
Transactions
Signed by San Diego Chargers on July 29, 2004 ... Re-signed by Chargers on April 26, 2007 ... Signed by Atlanta Falcons on March 2, 2008.
Contract details
Signed by Falcons to a six-year contract worth $34.5 million, which includes $15 million in guaranteed money. He will have base salaries of: $1 million (2008 and 2009); $2 million (2010); $5 million (2011 and 2012); and $5.5 million (2013).