Eric Fisher (American football)

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Eric Fisher
refer to caption
Fisher with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-05) January 5, 1991 (age 33)
Rochester, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:312 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High school:Stoney Creek
(Rochester Hills, Michigan)
College:Central Michigan (2009–2012)
Position:Offensive tackle
NFL draft:2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Games played:132
Games started:128
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Eric William Fisher (born January 5, 1991) is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Central Michigan University, and was selected first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 NFL draft. He played for the Chiefs for eight seasons from 2013 to 2020, making two Pro Bowls and winning Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers.

Early years

Fisher and his sister were raised in Rochester, Michigan, by his mother. During that time, she also overcame thyroid cancer while raising them on her own.[1] He attended Stoney Creek High School, where he was an All-State honorable mention lineman for the football team. Regarded as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was not ranked among the best offensive tackle prospects in his class.[2] According to Fisher, this was due to him being undersized for an offensive tackle, weighing only 225 pounds as a high school senior.[3]

College career

Fisher played at Central Michigan University from 2009 to 2012 where he was recognized as a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly, a second-team selection by Sports Illustrated, and received third-team honors from the Associated Press. He was also a first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) selection.[4] Fisher was a part of two bowl wins while at Central Michigan; the 2010 GMAC Bowl and the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.[5][6]

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 7+14 in
(2.01 m)
306 lb
(139 kg)
34+12 in
(0.88 m)
10+12 in
(0.27 m)
5.05 s 4.44 s 7.59 s 28+12 in
(0.72 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
27 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7]

Fisher was considered one of the top offensive tackles (and overall players) available in the 2013 NFL draft.[8] He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the first overall pick,[9][10] becoming the first MAC player to be drafted No. 1 overall.[11] Fisher is one of two Central Michigan players to be selected in the first round of an NFL Draft; the other is Joe Staley.[12]

On July 26, 2013, Fisher signed a guaranteed contract with the Chiefs worth $22.1 million with a $14.5 million signing bonus.[13] Despite playing left tackle during college, Fisher transitioned to right tackle for the 2013 season. He allowed 7 sacks and 35 hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, his run-blocking grade of −6.5 ranked 55th out of 76 NFL tackles who played at least 25 percent of their team's snaps. His overall grade as a tackle ranked 70th. Despite Fisher's struggles during his rookie season, Chiefs general manager John Dorsey noted Fisher's potential and expressed confidence that he would develop into a good player.[14] Fisher played in 14 games, of which he started 13, during his rookie year of 2013.

In March 2014, head coach Andy Reid announced that he was moving Fisher to the left tackle position for the upcoming 2014 season, following the loss of Branden Albert in free agency.[15] During the 2015 season, Fisher played in 16 games, starting in 14.[16]

On May 2, 2016, the Chiefs picked up the fifth-year option Fisher's contract.[17] On July 30, 2016, Fisher signed a four-year contract extension with the Chiefs worth $48 million, including $40 million guaranteed.[18] In Week 1, after a strong performance, Pro Football Focus ranked Fisher as the number one left tackle of the week.[19] In the divisional round of the 2016 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs were down 18–10 in the 4th quarter. Following a successful two-point conversion, Fisher was called on a holding penalty that resulted in a loss of 10 yards. On the second attempt from the Steelers' 12-yard line, the Chiefs failed the two-point conversion, resulting in their elimination from the playoffs as they lost to the Steelers by a score of 18–16.[20]

In 2019, Fisher was limited to eight games due to injuries.[21] Fisher and the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, their first championship in 50 years.[22]

Following the release of long-time Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt in the 2020 offseason, Fisher became tied with Anthony Sherman and fellow 2013 draftee Travis Kelce as the longest tenured members of the Chiefs.[23] In the Week 3 game of the Chiefs' 2020 season against the Baltimore Ravens, Fisher lined up as an eligible receiver and caught a two-yard pass for a touchdown, the first of his career.[24] The touchdown was the first receiving touchdown scored by a number one overall selection since Keyshawn Johnson in 2006.[25] Fisher was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Chiefs on November 16, 2020,[26] and activated three days later.[27]

On January 24, 2021, against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, Fisher suffered a torn Achilles, forcing him to miss Super Bowl LV.[28] He was placed on injured reserve on February 6.[29] The Chiefs would go on to lose 31–9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[30]

Fisher was released after eight seasons on March 11, 2021.[31]

Indianapolis Colts

On May 12, 2021, Fisher signed a one-year, $8.38 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts.[32]

Miami Dolphins

On December 5, 2022, the Miami Dolphins signed Fisher to their active roster.[33] On January 6, 2023, Fisher was placed on injured reserve despite being inactive for every game.[34]

References

  1. ^ Greenleaf, Jared (April 25, 2013). "Cheboygan man to see son drafted by NFL team tonight". Cheboygan Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "Eric Fisher, 2009 Offensive tackle". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Schwab, Frank (April 25, 2013). "Eric Fisher becomes one of the most unlikely first overall picks in NFL draft history". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "CMU left tackle Eric Fisher named first team All-MAC, four other Chippewas honored". The Morning Sun. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "GMAC Bowl – Troy vs Central Michigan Box Score, January 6, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "Little Caesars Bowl – Western Kentucky vs Central Michigan Box Score, December 26, 2012". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "Eric Fisher Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  8. ^ Rang, Rob (December 20, 2012). "Big Board: Linemen rule the board as the big bowl games await". CBSsports.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013.
  9. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Polzer, Tim (April 25, 2013). "Report: Chiefs to take Eric Fisher with first pick of NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  11. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 25, 2013). "Eric Fisher goes No. 1 to Kansas City Chiefs in NFL draft". www.nfl.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "Central Michigan Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  13. ^ Williamson, Bill (July 23, 2013). "Chiefs sign No. 1 pick Eric Fisher". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  14. ^ Paylor, Terez (January 15, 2014). "Chiefs' Eric Fisher may be in line for a switch from right tackle to left". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on June 1, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  15. ^ Ferrin, Reid (March 25, 2014). "Andy Reid talks Eric Fisher, Alex Smith and More". KCChiefs.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  16. ^ "Eric Fisher 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  17. ^ Kissel, BJ (May 2, 2016). "Chiefs Exercise Fifth-Year Option on OL Eric Fisher". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017.
  18. ^ Stites, Adam (July 30, 2016). "Chiefs give lucrative deal to Eric Fisher". SBNation.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  19. ^ Monson, Sam (September 12, 2016). "Pro Football Focus Team of the Week for NFL Week 1". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  20. ^ "Divisional Round – Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – January 15th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "Eric Fisher 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Shook, Nick (February 2, 2020). "Chiefs rally once again to defeat 49ers, win SB LIV". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  23. ^ Conner, Matt (May 13, 2020). "Travis Kelce's growth as a leader now faces new challenge". Arrowhead Addict. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Mahomes outplays Jackson to lead Chiefs past Ravens 34–20". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  25. ^ Owens, Jason (September 28, 2020). "Chiefs LT Eric Fisher becomes first No. 1 pick since Keyshawn Johnson to catch TD". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  26. ^ Alper, Josh (November 16, 2020). "Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz go on COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  27. ^ Goldman, Charles (November 19, 2020). "Chiefs LT Eric Fisher, RT Mitchell Schwartz to be activated from reserve/COVID-19 list". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  28. ^ Alper, Josh (January 25, 2021). "Eric Fisher suffered a torn Achilles". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  29. ^ Goldman, Charles (February 6, 2021). "Chiefs announce flurry of roster moves on Saturday". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 11, 2021). "Chiefs release starting tackles Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  32. ^ Carney, Josh (May 10, 2021). "Report: Colts Signing Two-Time Pro Bowl Left Tackle". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  33. ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (December 5, 2022). "Dolphins sign OT Eric Fisher, put OT Austin Jackson on IR". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  34. ^ "Miami Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. January 5, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

External links