Gosder Cherilus
 Cherilus with the Detroit Lions in 2011 | |||||||||
| No. 78 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||||||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | June 28, 1984 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Haiti | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 316 lb (143 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Somerville (MA) | ||||||||
| College: | Boston College | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 12, 2016 | |||||||||
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Gosder Cherilus (/ˈɡoʊstər ˈʃɛrᵻləs/; born June 28, 1984) is an American football offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions 17th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Cherilus has also played for the Indianapolis Colts. In addition to his playing career Gosder also serves as the president for the Eagle Development Partners in Boston, MA.
Early years
Cherilus played high school football at Somerville High School in Somerville, Massachusetts. Playing for Somerville head coaches Tony Gulla and Francis McCarthy, Cherilus earned All-State honors.[1]
College career
2004
Cherilus was the only redshirt freshman to start for the Eagles, lining up at right tackle for all 12 games and delivered six touchdown-resulting blocks and 46 knockdowns, he finished with an 80.1 percent grade for blocking consistency, as he paved the way for 100-yard rushing performances from L. V. Whitworth, Andre Callender and A. J. Brooks. He helped the Eagles to average 385.4 yards per game in total offense.
2005
He started all 12 contests at right tackle during 2005 season, collecting 53 knockdowns with seven touchdown-resulting blocks . He worked well with right guard Josh Beekman, as the pair helped the Eagles lead the Atlantic Coast in total offense with 387.75 yards per game and rank third in passing with 242.75 yards per game. The Eagles offensive line was ranked twelfth in the nation, allowing only 15 sacks for losses totaling 91 yards.
2006
In 2006, Cherilus started in all 13 games at right tackle and paved the way for seven 100-yard rushing games and a collective 1,424 rushing yards by L. V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. He helped the team average 114.5 yards per game on the ground and 355.6 yards in total offense, as the front wall allowed only 22 sacks for the season. He was graded 78.77 percent for blocking consistency while collecting 79 knockdowns along with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks. He played at the 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl win over Navy.
2007
He was named all-ACC second-team selection and recipient of the team’s Unsung Hero Award, Cherilus started 14 games at left tackle, helping BC rank seventh in the nation with an average of 323.9 yards per game passing, he registered 77 knockdowns with twelve touchdown-resulting blocks, finishing with a 78.0 percent grade for blocking consistency and also helped hold opponents to only 61 tackles-for-loss (fifth in the nation) and 22 sacks.
He served as team captain, along with Nick Larkin, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Matt Ryan, who was also selected in the first round; third overall to Atlanta Falcons of the 2008 NFL Draft . He was part of an offensive line that helped support Ryan in his record-setting season including a career-high five touchdown passes vs. Wake Forest and pave the way for the Eagles 5,924 yards in total offense. He started in the victory over Michigan State Spartans in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl and in the 2007 ACC Championship game loss vs Virginia Tech. Cherilus started a school-record 51 straight games.
He received probation along with DeJuan Tribble for assault with a deadly weapon for his role in an attack on a patron at The Greatest Bar in Boston. He was also accompanied by Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Joseph Boike during this assault.
Professional career
Detroit Lions (2008–2012)
As a rookie, Cherilus became a starter in the offensive line in his third game in the league replacing George Foster, and held that position for most of the 2008 season.[2]
Indianapolis Colts (2013–2015)
On March 12, 2013, Cherilus signed a five-year, $35 million with the Indianapolis Colts.[3] Upon signing his contract with the Colts, Gosder was the highest paying offensive tackle in the NFL at that time. He played the RT position opposite LT Anthony Castonzo. In 2013, he started all 16 games and started in the Colts' 2 postseason games. In 2014, Cherilus started 13 games, including his 100th career start in week 15. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season due to injury, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 31.[4]
On July 26, 2015, Cherilus was released by the Colts, two years into his five-year contract, having started 29 games.[5]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015–present)
On August 17, 2015, Cherilus signed a two year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[6]
Business Ventures
As the Managing Partner of Eagle Development Partners, Gosder is responsible for setting the overall direction of the firm. In preparing for life after football, Gosder chose to pursue his other passion, construction and real estate development, founding Eagle Development Partners in 2009. His interest in real estate and construction first started while working summers in college. His passion, curiosity and sharp mind caught the attention of his supervisors who provided him with opportunities to manage various projects.
In 2014, Eagle Development Partners was certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by both the State of Massachusetts and the City of Boston.
References
- ↑ Nicas, Jack (April 26, 2008). "Somerville lineman set for NFL career". Somerville News. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/players/gamelogs?id=CHE253467
- ↑ Report: Colts reach agreement with OT Gosder Cherilus
- ↑ "Indianapolis Colts make roster moves". colts.com. December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
- ↑ Hanzus, Dan (July 26, 2015). "Gosder Cherilus released by Indianapolis Colts". NFL.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ↑ Wesseling, Chris (August 17, 2015). "Gosder Cherilus, Tampa Bay Buccaneers strike deal". NFL.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.